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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET MEREDITH JOHNSON
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| Meredith Johnson |
I wrote lots of books when I was growing up. I would use typing paper
swiped from my mother’s office, fold and cut the signatures into whatever size or shape I needed that particular book to be, and then pick off the tape from wrapping paper out of the stash of Christmas and birthday leftovers from the box in the basement to make a lovely cover. Then I drew the pictures. If there was any room left, I put the words in. I “drew” stories about brides, orphaned babies under bridges (I was particularly good at tragedies), horses being rescued by a beautiful girl, and my own autobiography, which changed a lot and usually had horses in it. I even made baby books for my dolls. Those I covered with scented pink Kleenex swiped from my mother’s bathroom. I drew all the photographs, the birth announcements, and then created the birth certificates and made them official with tinfoil “seals” with blue ribbons pasted to them. Then I drew the “welcome new baby” cards sent by the President, the principal at my school, my grandparents and the Pope. And the ladies in my mother’s bridge group.
When did you decide to become an illustrator?
I always thought in pictures. I always read in pictures…..seems silly, but think about it. When you read a really good story, you know exactly what the character looks like, and how the room should look, and what the weather would “taste” like when the storm hits…..etc., etc. Plus, pictures were what I was good at. I liked to write, but it was when I drew that I got attention and lots of pats on the head. I always got art supplies of some sort for Christmas and birthdays. In junior high I got to do the big Xmas bulletin board because I could paint angels that didn’t look like condors in sheets. When I was chosen “Best Artist” at Raytown South High School, I knew my zenith had been reached. So I got married and moved to California. I had no work skills, which in the 70’s for a women, meant I couldn’t type or take dictation. So my new husband, being a whole lot smarter than me, suggested art school. Which is where I went.
What was your first job out of art school?
After graduating from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, I worked as an advertising art director for the next 22 years. As it happens, my account was Mattel Toys for all those years, and I wrote many commercials and Saturday morning jingles for Barbie and lots of swimming-tumbling-skating-you-name-it dolls. In those years art directors were expected to draw their own TV boards, so I got really facile with kids. I did my first “real” book illustration job as a favor for a friend at Price/Stern/Sloan. Thought maybe I’d try that again, so I bought a mailing list, made up some samples, then sent them out, and got two book jobs from that mailing. Voila! I was now a children’s book illustrator, nights and weekends.
During school visits, did you talk about getting into trouble in forth grade?
Yes, well, that would be because of Mrs. Pettigrew. I’d still BE in fourth grade if she had had her way, but I’m pretty sure there’s a Constitutional amendment or something about undue cruelty to a kid or a statute of limitations on how many detentions one kid can rack up. And it’s all because of that mustache I drew on her picture. I drew what I saw and stand by it to this day. And that’s the story I tell kids while I draw a picture of Mrs. Pettigrew, with a mustache added, and a wart with a hair on her nose to boot. They think it’s a pretty funny way to beginning a career as a writer/illustrator!
And now….?
I’ve illustrated over 130 books to date, and am working on writing my own. I make my living as an illustrator now, and absolutely LOVE to do school visits during the year. Words and pictures, what better things to share with kids! Well, and that story about Mrs. Pettigrew’s mustache…..