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Kat/Kathleen - Teachers.Net welcomes Erin Mauterer, artist and illustrator of the "Molly" books authored by Joe Bonsall, who appeared here in June. Erin, what would you most like to tell us about yourself?
ErinM - I've been an artist forever, my dad is a combat artist, and taught me so much when I was very young. Doing it for a living now is a dream come true!
Mary K&1 - Did your teachers encourage you to develop your talents?
ErinM - absolutely! They put me to work on the bulletin boards in the hallways in 6th grade!
Kat/Kathleen - A pre-submitted questoin from Faye, who has joined us: Do you have a favorite medium and/or subject that you prefer working with more than others? Also could you tell us what it is like working with Mr. Bonsall on a professional project such as the Molly series? Thanks! Faye
ErinM - I have had so many different instructors, working professionals, that it has given me a balance of knowledge and experience. My favorite medium is watercolor
ErinM - Mr. Bonsall is a joy to work with, he's full of all the guts and humor of his cats!!
ErinM - I just met Joe last month, after working with him on the first two books. When we met at a booksigning in Bethesda, it was as if we'd know each other for years. Usually, you dont get to meet the author.
Kat/Kathleen - Is there a review of your work that is your favorite?
ErinM - Well, I like when it's written that my artwork is full of imagination and personality, because that is what I like to do most, create characters
Anne - What projects are you going to be working on in the future
ErinM - I just signed the contracts on the fourth Molly book, Brewster, about a wonderful dog who joins the group of cats. I also just signed to do a story called the New Red Bed. Thanks Anne!
ErinM - I'm also working on a line of giftwrap paper and gift bags and tissue. A different avenue for me.
Kat/Kathleen - So, Erin, you contract for one book at a time, even though it is a series of 12?
ErinM - Yes, each book is a separate contract.
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, who is the author of the New Red Bed? Publisher?
ErinM - The publisher is Treasure Bay, out in Northern california, a "We Read Together" book. Not sure who the author is
Darcy/Librarian - I have never read any of the "Molly" books. Could you please tell us what they are about and what grade level they would be appropriate for?
ErinM - These books are for cat lovers of all ages, the text is good for a 1st, 2nd grader, but I know plenty of grownups who can't get enough! It's great
ErinM - The books are about a cat named Molly and how she came to live in her home
ErinM - Molly always want's to go OUT!! And this is where the stories get fun. In this third book, OUTSIDE, you guessed it, she does!!
Anne - When is the gift wrap coming out and where will it be sold?
ErinM - The new line is expected out this holiday season. I've done about 18 designs
ErinM - You can find these wraps at Macy's Nordstroms, great exposure for me! I'm really excited about this!
ErinM - Client just told me you may also find it at Toys R Us and Wal Mart as well
Faye - If my class writes to you where would we send the notes?
ErinM - You can log onto my website www.erinm.com and I'll give you my address
Mary K&1 - Do you get photos of the subjects that you have to illustrate so you know what they look like, or do you make it up?
ErinM - In the molly books in particular, Joe gave me stacks of photos. Other times, I make up characters
ErinM - I like making them up, but photos are good when the character is someone or something in particular. They alway help.
Michele/GA - Have these books been leveled for Reading Recovery?
ErinM - Michele, I'm not sure. I could find out
Kat/Kathleen - Mary, do you know the answer to the Reading Recovery question?
Mary K&1 - No they haven't, my guess is that they be way up there - Level 20 and beyond
Faye - Do your daughters show any interest in art?
ErinM - Oh, absolutely, my daughter Madelyn has "written" 10 times as many books as I've done!
Mary K&1 - On your web site there were examples of some of your work that was very different from the rest. Was that a special assignment or an experiment.
ErinM - Marguerite loves animals, so she loves to color in the early sketches of my layouts. Tells me how I should color them.. Mary K., which examples?
Mary K&1 - Swans in water, was one, I think they were swans
Mary K&1 - Almost looked like a photo
ErinM - Yes, those are very realistic. I love to do animals in particular, and do them in many different ways.
ErinM - Yes, I love to do animals, and experiment in many styles
Care/Colo. - Children are so inspired by illustrations. Have you given thought to working with a teacher and compiling a teacher usable language resource for early readers.
ErinM - Care, that would be wonderful, I'm always open to new avenues..
ErinM - I take many calls in my office, with many different offers. It all depends on my work schedule, and theprojects I'm working on at the time.
Faye - I am also a private counselor and wondered if you have ever done anything with art therapy?
ErinM - Hmm... what do you mean art therapy?
Faye - working through art as an outlet mostly with those say in nursing homes or in groups as therapuetic outlet
ErinM - Oh, that would be something. I'd never thought about that, but it would probably be very wonderful for them and myself included. Such a wonderful feeling art is, you just can't put it into words, and you wouldn't have to.
winkie - Erin, when is your next book coming out?
ErinM - (Outside book is out NOW!!!)
Anne - Erin, amanda would like to know if you have any more book signings planned?
ErinM - At this time, I haven't any on the agenda, I think the publisher is putting that together now that the third book OUTSIDE just came out last Friday, Anne
Anne - Do you have any idea where the signings will be?
ErinM - Not yet, I'll post it on my website.
Mary K&1 - How did you get noticed in order to get your first contract?
ErinM - I purchase a page in a directory of Illustration, that hits the desks of art directors, art buyers and publishers in the continental US. This page helped land my first book and my agent.
ErinM - This page is very expensive, it displays 4 or 5 images, in a book with about 500 other artists, but somehow, I got noticed. And boy, am I feeling fortunate!
Kat/Kathleen - What advice would you give to classroom teachers who feel inadequate artistically?
Kat/Kathleen - And..Do you have any advice about how to foster children's artistic creativity?
ErinM - Oh, boy, I think children are very open to any kind of diplay that's filled with enthusiasm. Even if you don't have the talent, the way you express a stick figure can capture a childs imagination
ErinM - I think that when a child expresses themself, no matter how they do it, you MUST be as excited as they are with what they've created. Who's to say what art is and isn't.
Darcy/Librarian - Or how about teachers who DO have artistic talent? Any special projects you know of. without making the kids feel inadequate (in their illustrations)?
ErinM - Darcy, there's a game I play with the kids at school, I have a big pad of paper, and I choose one of them to make a squiggle on it, and then I make something out of it, It' just boosts their creativity. And then they can make somethingout of a sqiggle I make for them! Try it
Darcy/Librarian - Sounds good Erin. You're right, it is a game..
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, who is YOUR favorite illustrator/s? And your favorite artist/s
ErinM - My favorite illustrator is (was) Maxfield Parrish, his images were filled with the most wonderful color and feeling, and I'd have to say another of my favorite artists is Bessie Pease Gutmann, she does those wonderful image of children.. VEry poignant
ErinM - And of course, how could I forget the stable of Disney designers. They were one of my first inspirations after my father!!!
Darcy/Librarian - Disney animators are a very special breed. :-)
ErinM - Darcy..... ABSOLUTELY!!!!
Mary K&1 - Did you ever do any work for The Wright Group? One of their books has illustrations that look like your style. I don't have the book at home so I can't check for myself.
ErinM - Mary, I haven't heard of the Wright Group. Maybe I should send them some of my tearsheets and samples. Where are the located?
Mary K&1 - Erin, I have The Wright Group info for you - 19201 120th Avenue NE, Bothell, Washington 98011 (425) 486-8011 or (800) 523-2371 - http://www.wrightgroup.com/ They have thousands of books and come up with new ones all the time, You'd fit right in!
ErinM - Thanks, Mary, I appreciate it!
ErinM - I am always sending out my work to prospective clients, it seems never ending. I look forward to the day when they all come knocking down my door! heehee
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, I read that your first honor was winning a school poster contest at age 7. Tell us about the poster.
ErinM - Funny, Kat!! I won that contest for a poster I designed for the Marumsco Hills Elementary School book fair! I did a scene of forest animals all gathered around a tree in the snow that had a sign on it about the fair! Where did you hear that??!
Kat/Kathleen - I read it in an article from the Asbury Park Press ;-)
ErinM - Oh, that's right. Y'know that poster contest landed my picture in the Virginia newspaper. . . all 7 years old of me!!
Faye - Do you have a favorite character from the Molly series? My class last year loved your work!
ErinM - My favorite character from the Molly series so far has to be Molly herself. She's such a spunky little girl. And I love cats, I have three of them now.
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, did you study art in college in San Jose?
ErinM - I studied art at the University of California, San Jose. and 6 other colleges. So many different instructors, different professionals, it was the best thing I could've done.
LinWin - Erin, would you consider a book signing at Marumsco Hills Elem (where my kids play soccer!!!) Amanda and Sara would love to see you (and Joe)
ErinM - Wouldn't that be fun, Lin!! Let's set it up! Maybe they can blow up that old black and white and we can remember when!!!
Kat/Kathleen - Oh, I should share this-Joe Bonsall had hoped to be here for a while with his favorite illustrator, but is tied up with TNN tonight :-)
LinWin - Sounds good to me. Love ya!! ~!!
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, do you know anything about the rest of the stories in the Molly books series?
ErinM - Well, in the next few books, we are introducing a few new characters. I probably don't want to spoil the surprise from Joe, but suffice to say, it keeps getting better! I think the series will ultimately consist of 6-8 books. Including a Christmas story
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, do you ever experience illustrator's block?
ErinM - Hmm... not very often. When I get a manuscript, my imagination is so hungry for it, a new character, i can't wait to get started. If it's something I don't know how to draw, it does get tough. Case in point:
ErinM - I did a book last year about Musk Ox, and boy, were they tough. I just couldn't figure out the animal, even with photos and videos. It took many months or research and practice to get that one accomplished. Luckily, that doesn't happen too often
Mary K&1 - I haven't received the third Molly Book yet, I pre ordered from Amazon - was supposed to out the First of Aug. - is it out?
ErinM - Mary, last I heard it was due out Aug. 1. You may want to call amazon and see what the holdup is.
faye - They let me preorder but didnt have a price yet through Amazon on its website
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, would you like to ask anything? ;-)
ErinM - I've had a wonderful time chatting with every one, I hope you all keep up with the series. It's fun to share this kind of thing in such a lasting way, and if there's anything I can do or add, please feel free to contact me at my website. www.erinm.com
Kat/Kathleen - Erin, you are easy to 'talk' to, thank you for coming to Teachers.Net! Will you return someday?
ErinM - Kat, thanks for having me, I'd love to come back again! It's been a pleasure, and I hope to talk with you all again real soon! Best, Erin MEOW!!!!
faye - I appreciate you and your work and will be contacting you through your website. Thanks!
ErinM - Thanks, Faye, I look forward to it!! erin
Kat/Kathleen - Goodbye, and thank you Erin, and all!
Mary K&1 - Thank you for sharing with us this evening.
faye - Thank you Kat!
ErinM - Mary, thanks for hanging in there with me!!
Kat/Kathleen - Goodnight everyone!
