Illustrator Spotlight: Stephanie Fliss
Stephanie discussed her process and what she loves about being an illustrator. Check out her answers below!
How did you get in to illustrating? What made you decide to pursue this career?
Except for a short period of time when I dreamed of being the first female NFL football coach for the Green Bay Packers, I always knew I would pursue a career in art. Illustration combines my passion for drawing and narrative. I love storytelling, and I particularly enjoy reading children’s books; even as an adult I continue collecting picture books. I wanted to be an illustrator because of a dream my sister, Valerie, and I share. Growing up, we wanted to create our own stories together where Valerie writes and I illustrate. We call ourselves the Sisters Fliss. So far, we have self-published two books under this title.
Illustration from “One Good Turtle” by Stefan Burns
How would you describe your art style?
My art style is naturalistic with a focus on detail. My independent art depicts personal narratives and emotional responses to life experiences using color, line quality, pattern, and metaphor. My metaphors draw from art history, religion, world cultures and folkloric traditions. How do you decide what kind of style will work best for the book you’re working on? The story itself informs the style or aesthetic of my illustrations. I treat each story or book I work on differently because each has its own personal identity. One of my favorite moments of the illustration process is reading the book’s manuscript for the first time. It feels similar to meeting a new person. My imagination and creativity get inspired by the endless possibilities of how to illustrate the book. I have a blast figuring out how to represent what I see and understand of the story’s personality for others through pictures. The author also informs the style. Just as I strive to render the story’s portrait for others to see, I endeavor to translate what the author envisions.
Illustration from “Chrismouse: A Christmas Story”
How long do test sketches usually take you?
The time it takes me to complete test sketches varies. Some test sketches take no time at all while others take days of redrawing. I know a test sketch is done when I see it on the paper and I no longer visualize it in my head.What do you enjoy most about being an illustrator?
I really enjoy the relationships involved in illustration: my relationship with the author and my relationship with the story. I feel like a translator at times. I listen to what the author says, to what the story says. I love learning about people and hearing their stories then sharing their stories through art. However, nothing compares to holding the published book for the first time and flipping through the pages. It is wonderful seeing all of the hard work come together in the final product.Do you do any other forms of visual art?
I do graphic design work on logos and signs as well as design embroidery collections for a sewing company. I like to keep a sketchbook where I create some of my most self-expressive art (quirky personal fact: when I go purse shopping, I always bring my sketchbook along because the new purse must be able to hold my sketchbook). I also knit and sew. I see clothing as a way to express and participate in my day-to-day personal narratives (as if I am wearing a costume).How many books have you worked on?
I have worked on eleven published books so far. Most have been with Mascot Books and two are Sisters Fliss works.
Cover of “A Cavalier Cat”
