Ashley loves border collies. Image courtesy of Ashley Wolff.
When I was in kindergarten, I remember reading the picture book Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. This sweet story by Joseph Slate is about animal children getting ready for their first day of school while their border collie teacher prepares for their arrival. When I first came to Hollins University last year for my MFA in Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating, I was shocked to see that Ashley Wolff, the illustrator for Miss Bindergarten, teaches in the program, and I finally got to meet her this past summer. Ashley currently lives in Vermont and is busy at work as children’s book illustrator, writer, and instructor. I was able to get in an interview with her to discuss more about her amazing career in children’s literature.
How did you begin your journey as a children's book illustrator?
Amazingly, my public high school in Middlebury, VT allowed a group of seniors to spend our last semester doing an independent study project and I chose to write and illustrate a children's book. I say amazing since there was hardly any supervision and we were truly independent. I realized I loved telling stories using pictures most of all. After art school--where I tried lots of different media but ended up graduating as an illustration major I took my portfolio to New York. I was lucky enough to meet an editor who liked my work and sent me home to write a story about one of the pieces I had shown her. It became A Year of Birds, my first book. I have never looked back.
What is your favorite color to work into your illustrations?
I am a total sucker for blues of all shades though my favorite by far is cobalt.
You've been in the children's book industry for a while now. What do you think the industry is like now versus then in terms of popular demand and style?
More collies! Image courtesy of Ashley Wolff.
I have. I first published in 1984 and it was just as most books were being done in full color. Before that, there was pressure --at least at the small publisher where I began--to work in a very limited palette and to create one's own color separations. I can tell you I tried one and it was a mighty failure. Luckily the laser separation technology still being used came along to save my bacon! Style-wise I think that very same mid-century, limited palette, pre-separated look is right back in fashion, just done digitally this time around!
You also teach illustration courses at the graduate level. What is the most rewarding part of the job for you?
Oh, my goodness-the students are the most rewarding part of teaching. Hollins University attracts such talent, but also such kindness, humor, and integrity in the student body. It is an honor and a challenge to rise to the responsibility of teaching these ambitious and hardworking people. The way the program is structured feels much more collegial than teacher/student. I have become good friends with several alums and am thrilled when they find success in the field.
Do you have a specific place where you create your work?
Baby Bear Sees Blue and Baby Bear Counts One. Image courtesy of Ashley Wolff.
Yes! I built a new home in Vermont 5 years ago--right on beautiful Lake Dunmore. My studio is above the garage and has a huge window overlooking the lake. But it is too small for all my projects so I am building an "artbarn" behind my house where I can spread out a little and even teach classes when I'm not at Hollins. The foundation frost walls--this IS Vermont--were poured just today. Walls can start going up soon.
What advice would you give to aspiring children's book illustrators?
The usual: drawdrawdrawdrawdraw! There is no substitute for drawing skills and you'll need them every single day of your illustrating life. Luckily--those of us 'drawn' to illustrating usually enjoy drawing already, so there is no reason not to have fun and practice.
For more of Ashley’s work, visit her website at ashleywolff.com and follow her on instagram @oakleybobcat.