I am very excited to share my interview with author-illustrator Eliza Kinkz today about her illustration process for Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas, written by Jesús Trejo. Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas is the much-anticipated follow-up to the award-winning 2023 picture book Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by the same duo, so there was lots to talk about! Let's dive in!
About the book:
When Jesús gets home after school, he has to fill the time until Mamá can take him outside to play. It's tough, until Mamá appoints him Chief Plant Officer--he'll be like a big brother to her precious houseplants! Jesús does an excellent job keeping them watered, entertained, and happy--until an unfortunate accident during a dance party throws Jesús's entire job into crisis mode! Join Jesús and a hilarious cast of houseplants as they navigate the biggest challenge of all.
Peek underneath the dust jacket:
And check out the endpapers:
Let's talk Eliza Kinkz!
LTPB: How did you become the illustrator of Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas?
EK: My favoritest agent Stephen Barr told me Astra was interested in having me illustrate a picture book for Jesús Trejo back in 2021.
But before I accept any book project, I love to do research on my potential author, and luckily there was lots of info on Jesús with his amazing stand-up comedy. But what set him apart was this amazing documentary of him taking care of his parents! Seriously, just try to watch it without falling in love with his kind heart, and his cute parents. I decided at that moment I wanted to do the art for his picture book to honor all 3 of them.
So my agent set up an interview with Jesús, the amazing editor Maria Russo, and brilliant art director Amelia Mack. It went well as I already acted like I had got the job by asking Jesús tons of questions about his childhood, and showed a ton of drawing ideas. Now looking back at these, I really wish the peacocks in the swimming pool would have made it in!
Soon afterwards my agent let me know Jesús wanted to do TWO BOOKS together! Our first book was the award winning Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock, and I can’t wait for everyone to read our hilarious sequel Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas.
LTPB: What were the first images that popped into your mind when you saw Jesús Trejo’s text?
EK: For this latest book the biggest image that burst out was for the climax of the story, BUTT I won’t spoil that for you wonderful readers. (IT'S HILARIOUS THOUGH!!! )
Instead I’ll show you how I first begin sketching my images, which is always directly on the actual manuscript!
I LOVE looking back at the manuscript, because it's amazing to see the images that make it into the final art! Like this leaf sandwich part, and even more scenes...if you get the book to compare! HINT HINT!
LTPB: What kind of visual research did you do to make the characters as visually engaging as possible? How did the characters evolve as you got to know them?
EK: Since this was the sequel, I did not have to think too hard on the character design...BECAUSE I definitely did that work for the first book already! Ahhhhhh!!
Creating characters is the hardest part for me of any story. As I really want to get them right, and not have regrets. As you have to draw them so much throughout your book! You don't want to be regretting their nose, or shirt, or nose with a shirt on it. So I draw pages, and pages of sketches until I get the character how I want. Circling drawings I like, writing notes...ugh this seriously goes on for weeks.
AND then since this was such a personal story, I based the characters on Jesús’s family when he was a child. He was generous enough to share many photos of his parents, and him when he was a kid.
Sigh, I just always create my characters with such great love as I want to LOVE drawing them again, and again, and AGAIN, and then SUDDENLY THEY ARE ALIVE.
EK: My favoritest agent Stephen Barr told me Astra was interested in having me illustrate a picture book for Jesús Trejo back in 2021.
EK: For this latest book the biggest image that burst out was for the climax of the story, BUTT I won’t spoil that for you wonderful readers. (IT'S HILARIOUS THOUGH!!! )
Instead I’ll show you how I first begin sketching my images, which is always directly on the actual manuscript!
EK: Since this was the sequel, I did not have to think too hard on the character design...BECAUSE I definitely did that work for the first book already! Ahhhhhh!!
Creating characters is the hardest part for me of any story. As I really want to get them right, and not have regrets. As you have to draw them so much throughout your book! You don't want to be regretting their nose, or shirt, or nose with a shirt on it. So I draw pages, and pages of sketches until I get the character how I want. Circling drawings I like, writing notes...ugh this seriously goes on for weeks.
AND NOW, you can love them. LOVE THEM I SAY!!
LTPB: What did you find most difficult in creating this book? What did you find most rewarding?
EK: Honestly, the most difficult part of creating this book for me became the schedule. Sometimes publishing schedules can overlap with more than one book suddenly due at the SAME TIME, and that's what happened here. Which is no fun, and I definitely had some big burnout afterwards. I'm slowly emerging from underneath my couch just in the very last month, but barely...
AND for me, the most rewarding part of any book is when you are holding it in your hands afterwards, and knowing you helped it get there.
Bonus if you have kids around you can read it, too!!
EK: I love an assortment of materials! Just as much as I love trying everything in a lunch buffet!
So of course I use inks, watercolors, gouache, crayons, colored pencils, and anything else under the kitchen sink. I definitely prefer traditional materials as I get so much happiness from holding materials in my hands, and making big brush strokes. Joy is a big part of my work, and I want you to be able to feel that in my work. And I think you can, as creating the final artwork is my very favorite part!
You can even see a video of all the paintings I did for Plantitas here as I actually paint the whole book at once over a few weeks.
My process has been pretty consistent from book to book. I get a little more in control of the art materials each time, which funnily enough allows me to PLAY with them more. Be more daring with my marks, and colors. I'm always trying to push myself as I don't like to get too comfortable. There should be an element of fear in whatever you do as an artist. It's what breathes life into your work.
You can even see a video of all the paintings I did for Plantitas here as I actually paint the whole book at once over a few weeks.
My process has been pretty consistent from book to book. I get a little more in control of the art materials each time, which funnily enough allows me to PLAY with them more. Be more daring with my marks, and colors. I'm always trying to push myself as I don't like to get too comfortable. There should be an element of fear in whatever you do as an artist. It's what breathes life into your work.
If you'd like, you can see an even deeper look into what my artwork looks like from start to beginning at my substack!
LTPB: What are you working on now? Anything you can show us?
EK: I’m adding the last drops of salsa to my AUTHOR debut Mistaco and soooooooooo excited to finally get the chance to share one of my own stories! This picture book is especially meaningful to me as it's dedicated to my Lita, and Lito aka mis abuelos aka MY GRANDPARENTS! It's all about making mistakes, not being scared to share them, AND homemade tortillas. I'm feeling braver,...and also salivating for a butter tortilla just looking at it.
Please pre-order so I can write, and draw even more silly books for all of you!
EK: WRITE MY OWN AUTOBIOGRAPHY?! Oh geez, hmmmmm.....
Definitely James Marshall as he was one of the funniest illustrator/authors ever, and I am happily dancing in his footsteps. I could already picture how he would draw me...as I took a picture of it when I was the 2022 James Marshall Fellow!
BUT, if I were to choose someone to do a made-up biography of me, and draw pictures, then definitely Eva Lindström. She's the Yorgos Lanthimos of picture books!
Gracias for having me, and happy reading everyone!!
Gracias for having me, and happy reading everyone!!
A magnificent thank you to Eliza for talking to me about this special sequel! Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas publishes TODAY from Minerva!
Special thanks to Eliza and Minerva for use of these images!
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