The Author Spotlight Series shines a light on writers creating heartfelt and original work across genres, giving them an opportunity to talk about their books and why they do what they do.
Click Here to follow the series as it progresses.
To submit an author for consideration, email editors@myentertainmentworld.ca.
…
“Erin Hawryluk (she/her) is an artist and designer with a background in classical animation. She has always loved storytelling and the magic of imagination. Seeing a special story come to life is what it’s all about. She lives in Ontario with her family.”
When did you know you wanted to be an illustrator?
I think I always knew I wanted to pursue art and continue down a path towards a creative field but I never really knew where it would lead me. It’s so rewarding working with people who are motivating like authors, Sara Weed and Emily Denham Weed. Being able to support my friends and see more diversity in children’s books is very important to me. Working together and feeding off of each other creatively inspires me to design meaningful illustrations.
Do you remember the first thing you ever created?
I remember starting out by making mini comics and cartoons. My mom is an artist and we would spend a lot of time drawing together. She’s kept a lot of my “originals” that are always fun to look back on. I find myself doing the same thing with my daughters.
How did you develop your skills?
Repetition and practice. Studying classical animation really helped me understand the art of storytelling. From how to draw dynamic poses to expressions to composition and lighting. Truthfully it’s an ongoing process, there’s always something new to learn.
Who are some of your biggest literary influences? Do you have a favourite book/author?
There are so many amazing authors and illustrators that I admire. I often find myself checking out stacks of children’s books from the library because there are so many beautiful stories out there. Isabelle Arsenault, Peter Brown, and Kim Smith have produced some of my favourites. Such beautiful work!
How would you describe your work?
I try to make it fun and engaging. Getting Glam at Gram’s is full of textures, colours and energy that was so enjoyable to illustrate. Something fun for everyone, I hope!
What’s your creative process like?
Brainstorming ideas and collaborating with authors, Sara Weed and Emily Denham Weed is how I start building a perspective of the overall feeling of the story. Once I have a vision in my head, I’ll start sketching out character ideas and styles and start thinking about colour palettes and environments. Thumbnail sketches are handy for configuring the layout and flow of the book. We meet and discuss as we go, which is great for working out the details and bringing the vision to life. Our families get together too and even the kids get involved. So many fun ideas get tossed around.
Tell us about your most recent book.
Getting Glam at Gram’s is a warm and loving book about being yourself. It is a colourful and celebratory picture book that embraces all gender expressions through a fun family fashion show.
What are you working on now/next?
Fun new adventures for Gram and the kids.