Our staff is full of creative types - we even have a published author and illustrator, our Lead Art Guide Wednesday Kirwan. This Friday at 11 a.m., you have a chance to hear Wednesday read her first book Nobody Notices Minerva and buy a signed version to bring home. We took a bit of her time away from making mythical sea creatures with visitors in the Art Studios to ask her a few questions:

Where did you get the idea for this book?

Well, it's autobiographical - I'm the middle child and I needed attention! I made it for my dad as a Christmas present in 2006 - I made it as a 'dummy book' - a small version with small paintings, bound it, and gave it to him.

How did you pick the animal as the main character? Do you have a Boston terrier like Minerva?

I actually have a rat terrier named Nemo, and when I was writing the story, one day I took him for a walk to the dog park where we met a Boston terrier named Minerva. I went home and sketched it - the story was more interesting with a dog as the main character, rather than a little girl.

How did you end up going from a present for your Dad to a published book?

Well, I have an agent who handles my children's illustrations, so I sent her a copy of the book. She went to an event for writers and artists with the sample, and there were two publishers who were interested--

Bidding war!

Yeah, and I went with Sterling since I really liked the editor's vision. She was interested in the idea of a series, and had good ideas about aesthetic choices, like playing up the patterns and the style, which I think is reminiscent of a different era. I was thinking about the '60s and the Golden Books of that time.

A series, that's exciting!

Yes, I've finished the second book and it will come out this fall. It's the same character, and called Minerva the Monster. In this one, she makes a monstrous mask and does monstrous things.

What else are you working on these days?

I do illustrations for educational materials - right now I'm working on a children's dictionary for Miriam Webster. And I show my artwork for grown-ups - I've had shows at 111 Minna in San Francisco, and in Seattle and Culver City.

You're busy! Thanks for talking with us!

This entry was posted on January 23, 2008 and is filed under Jennifer Caleshu.
Tagged: discovery guides, behind the scenes
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