Elizabeth O. Dulemba - children's book illustrator/author [elizabethodulemba]

	What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist? I am an award-winning children's book illustrator/author.
	What is your message? Always reach high with your ambitions. That way, even if you only get half-way there, it's still pretty darned good.
	Your biography in four lines. I showed advanced artistic ability at a young age so have received art training most of my life. After receiving a BFA in Graphic Design I worked as a corporate in-house illustrator for several years before going freelance and diving into children's books. I now have several picture books to my credit and love all aspects of my career.
	Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it? I keep information about my books, an online portfolio, helpful articles for those just starting out in this business, and an active blog (including Coloring Page Tuesdays - new free downloads every week) at http://dulemba.com
	How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration? Most artists I know find inspiration everywhere. I am no exception. An overheard conversation, an unexpected moment of beauty, they can all inspire.
	What role does technology play in your creative process? I work digitally, so technology plays a huge role in what I do. I also embrace our new world of connectivity through blogs, facebook, etc.
	What is art? What isn't art? Anything can be beautiful or profound and stir us to think deeply or question our former sense of perception. Art can be created for that purpose or stumbled upon. It's all in how you look at it.
	When do you get your best ideas? It never ceases to amaze me how many ideas I get in my dreams. I always take a moment when I awaken to go over what my subconscious came up with during the night.
	How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not? If I think it's the most brilliant thing since sliced bread - it's probably not. If I don't know what to make of it - it might have merit.
	Three creative ideas that you would have liked to have created? Storytelling The internet My next one...
	When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist? In kindergarten when during the clay pinch-pot activity (back then they were called ashtrays), I created a sculpture of a little man holding an apple.
	Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities? WHAT!!!??!!! Speak for yourself you !#*%! Actually, most successful artists I know don't have volatile personalities. They are highly intelligent, highly observant, expressive, and driven people with a keen business sense. That said, most of us spend the majority of our time alone with our compulsions - it's hard to snap out of that when thrown into a social setting.
	Do you consider yourself postmodern? I'll let others worry about that.
	How should a work of art be evaluated? Does it move you? Does it make you feel or wonder or dream?
	Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday? I find it's better to work on my strengths every day - making my art more mine than anybody else's. To me, the idea of constant reinvention implies one who has not found their voice yet, or is bored with the one they have.
	Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work? My original inspiration came from the work of Garth Williams. Other heroes are Chris Van Allsburg, Maurice Sendak, Paul O. Zelinsky, etc.
	What do you think about public funding for the arts? It's absolutely necessary. Art must be free from bias or constraints and available to all.
	Is art necessary? A world without art would be dismal indeed.
	Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold? My purest joy comes when I see a child enjoying one of my books. Picture books are like performance art - they are not complete until they are shared.
	Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought? We all need to make a living and to expect otherwise is unfair. I've created pieces I loved for projects whose original intent was to put food on the table. I'd find it very hard to create if I were hungry.
	In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is? You reach plateaus and then escalate up sudden rises in art. I love the escalations, but I never know what they will be or what they have in store. I love the possibilities of the future - especially the parts I can't imagine.
	How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased? Try visiting galleries instead.
	What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career? Since I illustrate books, not much. Although some of my art is about to go on tour with the Southern Arts Federation for two years. I'm quite excited about it.
	What types of jobs do you usually do? In a day I will work on a novel, text for a picture book, illustrate a picture book or create art for a magazine. Other days I will speak at a book festival or classroom. There's a large range of activities this career requires of me, and I enjoy it all.
	Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy? I love my quiet time creating. Nothing on the calendar, no appointments, I am free to create for hours or days. It's like curling into a comfortable chair and saying, "Ahhhhh."
	Do you personally collect any items? I used to collect banana stickers... I actually inherited so many other people's collections I'm rather against the idea personally - unless you count books. Books are coming out my ears.
	Which websites do you frequently visit? jacketflap.com and facebook are my current tops.
	What advice would you give to those just beginning? First, if there is anything else you could be happily doing other than art - do it. Second, if not, grow a thick skin and learn as much about the business as you can while illustrating your bum off. There's no other way to develop your skills and figure out where your art best fits than to study and work. Expect rejection - lots of it - but also learn to move past it. This is an industry for the truly passionate - it's an obsessive compulsion. If it is anything less to you, you're in the wrong business or you have some growing up to do. (Nothing wrong with that, just be aware you may not be ready yet.)