Ever since high school, Gordon C. James has been pursuing a career in art. In 1997, he was one of two illustrators chosen out of a national search to work for Hallmark Cards Inc., and that was just the beginning. Today, he’s a successful picture book illustrator who has won many awards, including the ultimate prize for an illustrator in children’s books: the Caldecott Medal, for CROWN: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT.
We wanted to know where his inspiration, passion and creativity came from. Here’s what he told us…
Booking Biz: What does your average day look like?
Gordon: I wake up early and I’m in the gym by 5:30am. After my workout I drive my daughter to school and head to the studio. I answer email first thing. Then I tackle my to do list. I like it best when my to do list is just drawing and painting. I work until about 7:30 each evening. My days are long and I like them that way.
Booking Biz: When you’re not writing, what do you like to do best?
Gordon: I enjoy spending time with my wife Ingrid, my kids Gabe and Astrid and our dog Rascal. I also love getting out on my motorcycle.
Booking Biz: Where do you get the inspiration for your books?
Gordon: As an illustrator, I could get almost any subject matter. Some subjects speak to me immediately. Others I take a little time with. Eventually I fall in love with all of them. CROWNE: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT spoke to me because I’ve lived it. LET ‘ER BUCK! was a great opportunity for me to learn about and honor black cowboy culture. My latest, the soon to be released, I AM EVERY GOOD THING is an uplifting and affirming book and my son is on the cover.
Booking Biz: Did you always want to write books for children, or was there another career you wished for as a child?
Gordon: My initial goal was to be a fine artist. I still want to see my work in the best galleries. I trim my love for fine art into children’s books. My goal is to give kids beautiful paintings, seventeen to twenty-four at a time in book form.
Booking Biz: If you ruled the world, what would it look like?
Gordon: On the serious side, I’d want society at large to see African American kids as kids instead something to fear. I’d also want society to be more accommodating to and accepting of people with special needs like my son.
On a lighter note I’d love for everyone to take an art class so they’d get to feel the joy I feel when I’m making art.
Booking Biz: Acceptance, art and joy… what a wonderful world that would be!
Click to learn more about Gordon C. James and his presentations.