Q&A with Monica Wellington, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator | School of Visual Arts

What do you love about teaching Children’s Book Illustration?

I love teaching in the Division of Continuing Education because the students are so diverse in age, experience and backgrounds. I might have people who have never taken an art class and others who have graduated from art school and are working as artists and designers professionally. People in class might be teachers or librarians, while others are accountants or lawyers, working in professions remote from the children’s book world. And everyone is so talented and motivated and excited to immerse themselves in learning about children’s books!

What is some sage advice you share with your students?

In class I try to create a supportive, cooperative environment where we all share and learn from each other. This is the model I hope they will continue after class as well because it is going to take a tremendous amount of time, effort, determination and talent—and luck—to get a book published. It really helps to have a sense of community on that journey.

Do you have student success stories from your years of teaching Children’s Book Illustration?

I love keeping in touch with students after the term ends. We are all very excited when we hear about first contracts and books being published. I have many books now by former students, which I bring to class and share as excellent examples of bookmaking. Each term I have former students visit class to talk about their path to publication, and on my website, monicawellington.com, I have a series of interviews with them about their books. Everybody’s experience is different, inspirational and motivational!

What do you find compelling or enjoy most about being an illustrator?

I went to art school thinking I was going to be a potter. But after various unfulfilling work experiences in that field, I took a class in children’s book illustration at SVA, and I immediately felt I had found what I loved. Making a book, from idea to finished art, is a very personal expression of an author/ illustrator’s experiences and passions. I like having book projects that I know will take a long time—at least a year. Then it comes out in this wonderful physical form of a book that has a life to be shared with children. Out in the world there is nothing more rewarding than the love and enthusiasm children have for books. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to make books again and again. It all started at SVA with the class I took, and now by teaching class myself I get to share that joy and excitement of making books many times over with my students.