Agelast Podcast

Lauren talks about how much illustrators should and shouldn’t care about their work; what it means to be “productive”; and more.

Jessica talks about the ups and downs of the querying process; how children’s book illustrators can play the long game; and more.

Gris talks about how cancelled or postponed projects can be positive; how making art helps process trauma; and more.

Sara talks about the legacy of her grandfather, Frank Frazetta, what illustrators can learn from Frazetta; and more.

Marcos talks about how illustrators can “keep the demons of jealousy away”; why asking “what is it like to be me” is an important question illustrators should ask; and more.

Angie talks about how winning a major award can affect one’s relationship with their creative process; how illustrators can minimize their bad art days; and more.

Anjali talks about her discovery and acquisition of Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Persepolis; what common excuse is given for many rejections in publishing; and more.

Roz talks about the early days of her nearly fifty-year career with The New Yorker; how she works through anxiety and artist’s block; and more.

Brett talks about the challenge of making time to make art; how he approaches character design; and more.

Shawn talks about what a picture book can be about (hint: literally everything); how illustrators can color correct traditional art; and more.

Sterling talks about why it’s challenging for artists to find a “voice”; why illustrators should embrace the word, “interesting”; and more.

Michael talks about how he weaves emotions like grief and anger into stories for a young audience; how artists can bring balance to their creative lives; and more.

Catarina talks about how she uses color to keep her illustrations in balance; what folks misunderstand about picture books an art form; and more.

Emiliano talks about how an artist is like a broken glass of water; how illustrators can follow their own nature; and more.

Kathleen talks about the top five things creators need to know before they submit their children’s book to a publisher; and more.

Yuko talks about how illustrators can manage their fear of failure; what steps illustrators need to take to be successful; and more.

Jon talks about how mid-century UPA cartoons led him to a children’s book career; why illustrators can use quieter color palettes (despite being told otherwise); and more.

Ann talks about her 30-year, Pulitzer Prize-winning career as an editorial cartoonist; how illustrators can combat cynicism; and more.

Cátia talks about balancing her personal and artistic lives; what boring advice every artist should follow; and more.

Lane talks about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when describing kids’ books; why he works in multiple styles and media; and more.

Micha talks about what illustrators can do when they don’t feel motivated to illustrate; what creative value collage brings to her work; and more.

Leslie talks about her father, the great Alan Cober; how illustrators can wear multiple creative hats; and more.

Julien talks about why his road to getting published started a bit later in life; how Lois Ehlert changed children’s publishing; and more.

Brian talks about what it was like growing up—and creating art—with his father, Jerry Pinkney; why illustrators don’t have to be just one thing, or make pictures in just one way; and more.

Travis talks about the surprising common denominator that connects most good picture books; why performing a picture book manuscript can help one write it; and more.

Sophie talks about what a “sludgy” color palette is, and why it’s okay to use one; what value art-making has during life’s most difficult moments; and more.

Luis talks about what art directors love hearing from the illustrators they work with; why artists should find sources of joy other than art-making; and more.

LeUyen talks about what artistic inspiration is and isn’t; how illustrating in multiple styles is not a disadvantage; and more.

Michelle and DB talk about illustration’s past; how they both approached the making of DB’s book, Reading Pictures; and more.

Greg talks about how some of his characters reflect his own multitudes; why “for now” are two very important words for aspiring book creators; and more.

Tamlyn talks about how an independent book store isn’t just a place to buy books; what book-buyers are looking for (it’s not AI); and more.

Brandon talks about how illustrators can improve the artistry of their line; what it means to listen to your work; and more.

Rafael talks about how illustrators can approach color fearlessly; what it means to give all children the stories they deserve; and more.

Tom talks about why working incrementally is a real way to reach big creative goals; how creativity isn’t just about creating; and more.

Erin and Philip talk about how illustrators can know if they’re going in the right direction; why artistic (read: human) “mistakes” are important; and more.

Gérard talks about how he approaches complex editorial assignments; what it takes for an illustration career to get rolling; and more.

Brian talks about why he’s not a fan of “broccoli books”; what it means to be driving, not driven; and more.

Karina talks about how she looks for illustrators; how book-making is a team sport; and more.

Selina talks about her poetic ode to Judy Bloom; why every creative needs to be their own best friend; and more.

Simone and Beth talk about why social media is a double-edged sword for illustrators… and agents; what we must all agree on, no matter what you think about AI; and more.

Jessica explains why good design matters… for everything; why it’s never too early to think about one’s legacy; and more.

Sarah talks about supporting her father’s artistic legacy; what advice he would share with illustrators today; and more.

Júlia talks about her approach to using color; why self-criticism doesn’t have to be a bad thing; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, about how he and his wife, Gina Triplett, make art together; what it means to work within creative boundaries; what the benefit is of an active practice of making; and more.To learn more about Matt, visit ginaandmatt.studio.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Gina Triplett, Martha Rich, Chris Buzelli, Olaf Hajek, Whitney Sherman, David Plunkert, Joyce Hesselberth, Leo and Diane Dillon, Melinda Beck, Jessica Hische, Penelope Dullaghan, John Martz, Scott Bakal, Richard Amsel, Helen Borten, Aliki Brandenberg, Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney

Giuseppe Castellano talks to literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena Giovinazzo, about publishing’s waiting game; why it’s normal for us to feel “self-I don’t know”; how illustrators can avoid getting buried in the querying trenches; and more.To learn more about Elena and Heirloom, visit heirloomliterary.com.Photograph © Joanna Maguire If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling author, cartoonist, and educator, Bob Eckstein, about why we shouldn’t be “open” to AI; how an artist can know when their work of art is done; why Bob wants illustrators to worry less; and more.To learn more about Bob, visit bobeckstein.com.Find Bob on Substack.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Maira Kalman, Steve Brodner, Sam Gross, James Thurber, Charles Saxton, Bob Weber, George Booth, Bill Mauldin If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, caricaturist, journalist, author, educator, lecturer, and political commentator, Steve Brodner, about the alchemy of illustration; what he looks for in a portrait; who illustrators should really listen to; and more.To learn more about Steve, visit stevebrodner.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Peter Kuper, Andrea Arroyo, Brad Holland, Greg Manchess, Yuko Shimizu, Anita Kunz, Herb Block, Al Hirschfeld, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Garry Trudeau, Milton Caniff, Jackson Pollock, Thomas Hart Benton, Camille Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, Guy Billout, James McMullan, Ed Sorel, Gérard DuBois, Victor Juhasz, Joe Ciardiello, Alison Bechdel, Marjane Satrapi, Keith Knight, Mort Drucker, Jack Davis, Richard Williams, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Thomas Nast If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. |…

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Mariam Quraishi, Senior Designer at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, about how she works with illustrators. She also answers questions from listeners about the efficacy of postcards, querying agents, and more.To learn more about Mariam, visit mariamquraishi.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Matthew Forsythe, Kelly Murphy If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, artist, designer, and writer, Maira Kalman, about navigating life’s inconsistencies; how we can stay centered and grounded creatively; what the most important thing is about being an illustrator; and more.To learn more about Maira, visit mairakalman.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Beatrix Potter, Remy Charlip, Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to renowned children’s book illustrator, Axel Scheffler, about the deep, dark mistake he made with The Gruffalo; what he thinks about his “imperfect” art style; why he prefers to be called a family book creator; and more.To learn more about Axel, visit axelscheffler.com.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Posy Simmonds, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Tomi Ungerer, Judith Kerr, Lisa Brown, William Steig, Wolf Erlbruch, Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey, N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Janet Ahlberg, Alice and Martin Provensen, and Leo and Diane Dillon If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See…