Interview with Douglas Florian
Q: You’ve created more than thirty picture books, many of them focusing on the natural world and its creatures. With Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars, you move through the universe. What excited you about going into space?
A: Actually, Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars was inspired by an author’s visit to a Long Island school. I had time to wander the halls and found a fascinating space mural that appeared to be the work of first graders. The entire project had charm and simplicity, even the mistakes, such as giving Mars rings.
Q: Did you know a lot about astronomy prior to starting work on this book?
A: I didn’t really know that much about astronomy before writing the book. I visited the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, as well as the library and bookstores.
Q: You frequently use surprising elements in your art. Why did you decide to use brown paper bags as your canvas in a book about space?
A: I used brown paper bags, primed white with gesso, because they work really well for collage. The bags are very thin, they don’t warp or buckle when you apply paint to them, and the white priming underneath gives the color brilliance.
Q: Your palette for this book isn’t limited to the dark blues and blacks kids typically associate with space. What influenced your color choices?
A: Scientists sometimes use colors that are very different from what we normally see in space because doing so enables them to graphically represent various features on space maps with better clarity.
Q: Do you write the poems before you start working on the images that will accompany them in a book? Or do you create both elements—text and art—at the same time?
A: Usually the poems are written before I start on the art, for the simple reason that many poems are edited out of the manuscript. If the poem doesn’t work, then even the most beautiful picture won’t help it.
Q: You’ve said that your drawings “collect their own thoughts and have a mind of their own.” How closely do your printed books resemble your original plans for them?
A: I think an element of surprise or spontaneity lends freshness and life to a book; that’s why I often don’t make a dummy or draw rough sketches.
Q: What first inspired you to create books for children?
A: I was illustrating for newspapers and magazines and wanted more time to develop ideas and use my imagination, so I turned to children’s books, where there’s a lot of creative freedom.
Q: Now that you’ve spent time among the stars, where will you look next for artistic inspiration?
A: Now I may actually go back in time to dinosaurs.
