The approach to "building" a story with words and phrases is no different than "building" a painting with brushes and pigments.

I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about your books than you do!

My "mission", if you can call it that, is to connect with my readers on an emotional level and have them come away with a stronger impression of the basic message in the story I am illustrating.

Research is always a very necessary part of my process because all of my books to this point have been historical. Time spent in the library adds to one's wealth as a writer or artist.

I like people. Humanity. My family is a part of my work. They contribute throughout the process with critiques, advice, opinions, etc.

I will always be an artist first. I see my writing as an extension of my illustrating.

My method is subtraction. I use erasers to make the images in my paintings. You really have to see it to fully get it, but it is basically erasing shapes from a background of paint.