I recently had the chance to chat with Amy Moreno, whose illustrations for The Doll Violinist make her a finalist (together with the story) at the ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition. Amy talks about the artistic temperament, the competitive world of children's book publishing, and offers advice to novice artists who want to break into the field.

How long have you been working as a freelance artist and illustrator?

I studied commercial art/illustration in Boston in the early 1980s and have been working in the field as a freelance illustrator since the early 1990s.

Did you always know you would become one?

Yes and no. I always enjoyed drawing and painting, but was not sure I would pursue art as a major until I was in 11th grade. I had also considered teaching.

Do you think artists are born?

Ah, the age old question. No one knows for sure, but I believe that more than the actual mechanical ability to draw or paint is the ability to see things and a deep drive or desire to capture it on paper, canvas, clay, music, etc.

The ability to paint or drawn can be learned by anyone who desires it deeply. The desire and drive is the key. I think that as far as having a sensitivity to things around us, that is what makes an artist. This explains the ability many writers, musicians, painters have to switch back and forth into crafts and be multi-talented in music, drama, painting, writing. It’s the nature of feeling things deeply and expressing them in different ways.

Do you have a favorite medium or style?

My favorite medium is oil paint, although I have put it aside for many years due to having small children. It isn’t an easy medium to store, or leave out with small children. I am finally able to use it again, and am thrilled. I also enjoy graphite, pen and ink, and colored pencil and gouache.

How competitive is the world of children’s book publishing for illustrators?

It is an extremely competitive field. There is an abundance of incredibly talented illustrators filling the market. Any artist who reaches the point of illustrating a picture book has surmounted incredible odds, and achieved a nearly impossible feat. I have heard one children’s illustrator clarify that this is the entertainment industry in many ways, and as such, the level of difficulty is parallel.