Back to Featured Interviews >>

MEET SHERRY ROGERS
by Bonnie O'Brian

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Sherry Rogers

When I was a child I loved glitter, glue, cut paper, crayons, colored pencils and anything else related to being creative. I also loved to read books, play board games, roller skate and ride my bicycle.

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

Anything by Dr Suess,

THE LITTLE FISH THAT GOT AWAY, by Bernadine Cook, illustrated by Crockett Johnson

“I CAN'T,” SAID THE ANT, by Polly Cameron

The Beezus and Ramona Series, by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Tracy Dockray

The Henry Huggins Series, by Beverly Cleary, illustrated by Tracy Dockray

Did you illustrate stories when you were growing up? at school?

Not a full book per say but in every illustration I drew there was always some kind of underlying story in my mind.

When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a illustrator when you grew up?

Up until I was about thirty I had only considered drawing and painting to be a hobby more than a way to make a living. It was only after I had my children that I decided to go back to college and make art my career.

What audience did you have in mind for your career as a illustrator - adult or children?

Always children. I was so influenced by the pictures in the books that I read as a child and as I started reading books to my children I realized how much the pictures influenced their beginning to learn to read and understanding the stories.

When you went to college, were you already pursuing a illustration career?

No I had always worked in banks. Applying to college was the very first step in my illustration and creative career.

When did you start illustrating and what inspired you to start?

As a child I was always creating something. I was always drawing, coloring or pasting something. After having both of my children and being faced with going back to work, I realized I just couldn’t go back to my previous career as a bank officer. I knew it wouldn’t fulfill me as a person. So, I decided to go back to school and applied for college.

What other jobs have you had before you became a writer/illustrator?

I worked in banks for over a decade. I did a bit of everything. I started out working in the Head Office in an administrative position. After four years of working there I went to smaller branch and worked as a teller, bookkeeper, Personal Service Rep and then a teller supervisor. I went to college in my early thirties for Graphic Design/Graphic Art and worked as a Graphic Designer and Technical illustrator for over a decade.

What was your first job when you graduated from college?

My first job after I graduated from college was as a Graphic Designer for an engineering company called CSA Engineering.

How soon after that was your first book published?

I worked as a graphic designer for over a decade. It wasn’t until I moved to a new home 3 hours away that I decided to change my focus from graphics to illustrating for kids. After about a year of promoting and getting my portfolio together I signed my first contract to illustrate my first book.

When was it published?

My first book was published in June of 2005.

What are the topics are some of your books?

Most of my books are focused on nature and learning about the environment and habits and habitats of the characters.

Do you do other types of illustration - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?

Yes I have done many educational jobs and have just recently done my first illustration for a children’s magazine.

What kinds of things inspire you to illustrate?

All kinds of things inspire me to illustrate. Words, children, animals, funny situations, sad situations. . .maybe just life in general.

Where do you get your ideas?

I usually read through the manuscript many many times and really focus on the words the author has written and try add my vision to their words.

What really triggers your imagination?

Seeing interesting pictures or scenes.

How did your life change when you got married? and had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to illustrate?

Having children made it easier and more difficult to illustrate. Children inspire me to draw and create, but at the same time they take nurturing and time to care for.

Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?

All of the books I have illustrated have been based on animals and need to be researched for facts in order to properly represent the animal and their environment .. But I do like to add a bit of whimsy when I can.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Yes I do work on more than one job at a time. It’s hard but part of what has to be done to make a living.

Which of your books did you most enjoy illustrating?

I always seem to enjoy illustrating the book I am currently working on the best. It’s funny because I always think “Oh this is my favorite book I have ever done.” I guess it just shows how much I like to draw and illustrate.

What are you working on now?

I am currently illustrating a book titled MOOSE AND MAGPIE, which will be published by Sylvan Dell publishing.

Do you illustrate every day and do you have set hours that you work?

I do draw on most days, but some days I just need a break. I used to illustrate twenty four hours a day. But after almost burning out, I am trying to stick to just regular 8 hours during the day. It’s not always possible with deadlines, but I am trying.

When is your next book going to be in book stores?

My next book PAWS, CLAWS, HANDS AND FEET should be in stores in Spring of 2009.

Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?

I love including humor, adventure and mystery in my books. I think children require great entertainment.

Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

I get emails and hand written letters on a regular basis. It is really what keeps me going. I appreciate people taking the time to let me know my books are working.

Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share - hobbies, where you were born, special talents other than writing/illustrating.

I not only love to draw, I love to garden and be outside. I love to be physically active in fact my body requires it.