I don't want to make myself sound that spontaneous, because I'm not.

It's one of my favorite times of day. I'll have an array of notes, things that I want to think about. Something will start to take shape, and I'll play around with it. It's not usually an intense time. It's sort of a playful time. But it's when some really good thoughts arise.

In the bedroom time I have generated thoughts, and then in the studio I take those thoughts and try to shape them into something.

I don't think about it that much, but sometimes I am surprised by that. I sometimes wonder why I didn't turn out to be the kind of picture-book writer who has stuffed animals that go with their books. That would be okay with me.

I'm heavily influenced by Edward Ardizzone, how he has people talking in little speech bubbles. I love those. And also Edward Gorey. Those are two of my favorite people.

I know if I did that [career as painter] all the time I would get tired of it.

I don't feel like it's something I invented myself, rather something I absorbed and continue to do.