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Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
CHRISTINA: As many of you know, I am an avid flower gardener and artist. I have always been fascinated by the 'language of flowers' or floriography, or the cryptological communication through flower use or arrangement. I even wrote a cheeky article “The Language of Flowers: If Only Mr. Darcy Had Sent Red Roses” for Austen in August at the Book Rat. In October, I purchased a beautiful book, Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers by NY Times bestselling illustrator Jessica Roux. I haven’t been that excited about a book in a long while and decided to purchase several to gift my flower gardening-loving friends at Christmas—it's that gorgeous. Imagine my delight when Jessica agreed to an interview.
When did you first think you wanted to be an illustrator and how did you start?
JESSICA: For the early part of my life, I didn’t realize being an illustrator was a job. I did spend a lot of time reading, but I never quite made the connection that someone gets paid to draw those pictures on the covers and interiors of books. I spent my freshman year at a university studying journalism. While I love writing, and it’s a big part of what I do today, I didn’t find news writing to be particularly enjoyable! I ended up transferring to an art school after my mom’s friend, who worked as a graphic designer, suggested illustration as a path.
I started out in my career getting smaller editorial jobs: illustrations for magazines and newspapers. Those sorts of assignments tend to be highly conceptual, with fast turnaround times. In between those jobs, I created a ton of personal work, for stationery, galleries, and just for me. Eventually, I worked my way into the book industry. The first few jobs I had there were black and white interior illustrations, but eventually, I worked on covers, children’s books, and my own author-illustrator books.
CHRISTINA: That's really remarkable. Too often, I think, artists can’t figure out how to make art into a viable living. Love it! (I, too, was in journalism for a while as an intern at CNN.)
Is there an artist or author or character you most identify with and why?
JESSICA: I love Beatrix Potter. I grew up with her children’s books and even had a Peter Rabbit pillow I took everywhere with me as a kid. I love the detail in her work and how she captures the personalities of different animals so perfectly. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve appreciated Potter’s business acumen, creating merchandise off her original characters. She also created incredible scientific illustrations, especially of fungi, that are so detailed and
truly beautiful. Lately, I’ve been drawn to Potter’s later life as a farmer, and for her work in the conservation and preservation of her beloved Lake District.
CHRISTINA: So smart. She was not only multi-talented but a brilliant businesswoman, especially for her time. Definitely someone to emulate.
Which of your own books is your favorite?
JESSICA: My most recent book, Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism is my favorite! I loved researching the myths and folklore behind one hundred different birds. I learned so much while working on it, and the illustrations inside are some of my favorite things I’ve ever created.
CHRISTINA: It really is a work of art, from the illustrations to the research. Gorgeous.
What’s more difficult to draw? Something for yourself or something for a client?
JESSICA: I am my worst critic, so I find creating work for myself to be more difficult. It’s also by far the most rewarding, so it is important for me to create personal work as often as possible. Illustration itself is a somewhat isolating career; I spend a lot of time alone in my studio. Having commercial clients to bounce ideas off of and get feedback is challenging in its own way, but ultimately, I’m not making all the design decisions alone. There’s often a brief, sometimes a color palette, or even a concept that the client wants to see illustrated. When I create work for myself, I’m the one coming up with everything – so there is only myself to blame if something isn’t working, and only myself to fix those mistakes (if I catch them!)
CHRISTINA: I believe most successful creative people are the hardest on themselves. You are in good company.
Best advice for new illustrators:
JESSICA: Give yourself assignments, pretend you are the client, and create work to fit a brief. Building up a portfolio of professional quality work takes time, but you can speed up that process by creating a body of work yourself. Finding out what kinds of work you like to make and then leaning into that, can really help establish a niche in the industry. Above all, carving out time to make personal work that you actually like working on is incredibly important. If you don’t know what to draw next, I personally like to keep a list of things I want to draw, folktales and stories I’ve stumbled across, or interesting facts that I want to explore via illustration. Having a list to look back on when you’re feeling stuck is so helpful.
CHRISTINA: I think that is so important to remember: to make art you like. I reckon that to writing, when you are stuck; move on to a scene that you enjoy writing, then come back. And your advice on building your portfolio by creating assignments for yourself is pure gold.
Do you listen to music while drawing? Do you make up Playlists for your books?
JESSICA: Instead of music, I prefer to listen to audiobooks when I’m drawing. Because songs are so short, I feel like it takes me out of the moment when I have to skip a song I don’t like or if a genre comes on that I’m not feeling. Instead, getting into a nice, long audiobook really allows me to focus and create my best work. I tend to read anywhere from 75-100 books a year, and the vast majority are audiobooks I’m listening to while I work. When I look back at certain illustrations, I can remember what I was reading at the time.
CHRISTINA: Ooh, I love audiobooks, too, for when I garden, do chores, walk the dog, paint. They are such great company.
What are you reading now?
JESSICA: I just finished The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, and The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. I loved them all. My friend and collaborator Emily Hawkins recently told me to read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, so that is next on the list.
CHRISTINA: If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
JESSICA: I would be a garden designer. Gardening is my hobby, and it brings me so much joy, peace, and calm. I just love being outside, growing both flowers and food from seed, and hanging out with my backyard chickens. Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about how I place plants within the garden, how I could improve the design of my garden, and how I could incorporate a pond or water feature of some kind. I’m obsessed with the show Gardeners’ World, and it’s so comforting to watch, especially if I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
CHRISTINA: Could I gush any more about all the things I feel we have in common? Love that you are a fellow gardener.
Do you hide any secrets in your art that only a select few might know?
JESSICA: Whenever I draw a flower, it has a secret meaning taken from the Victorian language of flowers. Although, if you’ve read my book, Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers, it’s probably not that much of a secret! Interestingly enough, I’m currently working on a sketch for an I Spy-type of illustration for the gardening zine called “The Garden People” I work on with my friends Ginnie Hsu and Libby VanderPloeg. I’m hiding in lots of little things for our readers to find.
CHRISTINA: That sounds fun! I'll have to check it out.
Have you gone on an artist pilgrimage or research trip? Where and what was the most memorable moment?
JESSICA: I love traveling and seeing new places, so everywhere I go, I treat it as a research trip. I take a lot of photos, keep ticket stubs and brochures, and try to visit as many gardens as possible. My favorite thing I’ve done is hike the Quiraing in Scotland with my dad in the pouring rain. It was an unforgettable experience, and the wild landscape is so insipiring. It’s also a difficult trail to navigate in the rain, wind, and mud, so I’m proud that we did it.
CHRISTINA: What a wonderful memory to draw inspiration from. Scotland is definitely on my must-see list. And because I live in the Pacific Northwest, I won't even mind the rain or mud. Thank you so much for answering my nosey questions and for being so generous with your time and art. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, I hope we meet. I'll try not to embarrass you too much fangirling. Best wishes on the next project.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Jessica Roux is a bestselling illustrator, author, and gardener based just outside of Nashville, TN. She loves exploring in her own backyard and being surrounded by an abundance of nature. Using subdued colors and rhythmic shapes, she renders flora and fauna with intricate detail reminiscent of old world beauty.
Accolades: New York Times Bestselling illustrator of The Wheel of the Year, Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund Recipient, 2018 Bronze Swiss Poster Award, 3x3 Illustration Annual No. 15, Spectrum Fantastic Art 22, American Illustration 34, American Illustration 33, Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition 2014.
You can connect with Jessica via her website and social media.
Such stunning artwork! So beautiful! Thank you both for this wonderful post.