I'm pretty transparent

Thanks to a link at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy, I discovered a new blog (to me, anyway) lectitans, and a question that has been more or less spinning in my head for the past year or two:

How much can we know about the author herself based on the content of the book?

I would answer the question as an artist first and foremost, since that is the stuff I am most made of:

Since all of the work I have been producing for the past 35 years is narrative, even if in different venues, then I would say you could get a pretty firm handle on who the heck I am from my output without much effort.

When I sat down to write the bio for my web site a few years ago (soon to be updated and very edited, as well as shortened) I actually thought about this seriously at length for the first time. I came to the conclusion (and happy discovery!) that no matter what material I have worked in, from puppets to books, I am drawn to the same things/stories/characters/meanings and I still have the same aesthetic I have always had. I also realized that in the few times I have ventured far from the core of who I am deep down, my work failed and did NOT ring true.

This was somewhat of an epiphany for me. And it felt darn good to get to that understanding. It was also freeing--freeing from trying to satisfy the shifting trends, artistic tastes, and parameters of others--even if the "others' might be the ones buying my art or services as an artist or illustrator, or offering up their analysis of what I produce.

In the late 90's, I pulled an old story out from a "pre-kids" drawer in my studio, and started working on it after a 17 year hiatus. It eventually became my first book as writer/illustrator. It was first written before I was as familiar with the crazy, wonderful and often frustrating world of children's books. It is not slick or trendy, and you might argue that it is somewhat old fashioned. So be it. It came from that place that was less encumbered with outside review and scrutiny. Because of that, the subject matter and point of view are mine as much as anything I have done. And they are true to me.

In the stories I am working on now (a middle grade novel and a YA that takes place in Buffalo in the 70's, as well as a picture book based in New York), I am trying to keep in mind that I need to get my brain back into that place of 25-30 years ago, where I had my own eccentric leanings and I didn't sweat acceptability or, worse yet, salability. I think that operating according to that premise makes for truth in art and books. It is not always an easy thing to remember, but I believe it is essentially what should drive us. I even coined my own mantra and posted it on my web site:

“Art isn’t about validating yourself, as much as recognizing yourself.”

So I guess my answer to the question posed by lectitans would be that I hope you might know a lot, even if not from the facts of the story, then from the way it is told. If so, I bet the work is successful.

Of course, the challenge is always trying to stay true to and operate by that belief.

No so easy in the arts and publishing.

Not so easy planted in suburbia for the last 22 years, either.

I'm working on it.

Comments

[Liz]

I have come to believe that it is from your core personality, and only there, that the best work comes from. It is not always easy to toss off that mantle of preconceived notions (what will sell, what do people want, etc.)...but TOSS IT WE MUST!

[roz]

“Art isn’t about validating yourself, as much as recognizing yourself.”

Oh that's a keeper.
Great reminder of getting back to the core of ones self, Barb, thanks!

[kathy weller]

"I am drawn to the same things/stories/characters/meanings and I still have the same aesthetic I have always had. I also realized that in the few times I have ventured far from the core of who I am deep down, my work failed and did NOT ring true."

Totally agreeing!!! (I love this and agree with it in my own experience!)

“Art isn’t about validating yourself, as much as recognizing yourself.”

Totally agreeing, again!!!! (Yay!!! Ditto!!)

Thank you for expressing this verbally - you put it beautifully...

Great post, Barb.

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Thanks, guys, for checking in and leaving nice comments!

I know YOU all get it--it's the way you work, too!

Now if I could only figure out how to incorporate my Elvis lamps into my books...

[monicalee]

Oh This was a great post perfect for me right now!

[Kimberly/lectitans]

I've syndicated your blog at LiveJournal:

http://syndicated.livejournal.com/catsandjammers/

[Barbara Johansen Newman]

Kimberly, thanks for linking to my post. You seem to be posting about things that are really on my mind these days. I alomst posted an enormous blog post abut reviews earlier today....

But for my take on them catch Mother Reader's comments section from several posts back.