Creators talk about their art

Here's a random jumble of creators talking about how they make stuff and think of ideas. I like how they're all pretty down to earth and direct about it. I often hear art making discussed as if it's something closer to spiritual sorcery, and while I appreciate that it is meant to be inspiring I just can't identify with that perspective. Enjoy!

Quentin Blake illustrating:

Eric Carle talking about making The Very Hungry Caterpillar:

Charles Bukowski on writing:

Lisa Hanawalt, a cartoonist or animator or...?... talks about creating the concept art for Bojack Horseman. If you've never seen the show, it's an excellent cartoon for adults about a fading TV star battling addiction. The show is both very sad and serious, as well as absurd and slapstick. Like Don Draper meets The Far Side. I've included a clip from the show below Hanawalt's speech.

and a clip from Hanawalt's show Bojack Horseman:

Quentin Blake, illustration for The Witches

Quentin Blake, illustration for Rhoald Dahl's The Witches. In the film the central figure-- the witch leader-- was played by Angelica Houston. [Image description: Black line cartoon, probably with fountain pen, filled in with watercolors, of a woman standing akimbo with her arms thown up spread-eagled and five skulking bald witches in daydresses with matching handbags and gloves crouched around her.]

Lord Byron, by Quentin Blake

Lord Byron as portrayed by Quentin Blake in his "Informal Panorama" of famous figures-- sort of a quixotic Bayoux Tapestry-- for the 2009 octocentenary (i.e. 800th anniversary) of Cambridge University. Whoever orchestrated the project is a genius. You may recognize Quentin Blake's style from his work illustrating Roald Dahl's books such as The Witches, Matilda and The BFG. [Image: Simple pen drawing-- or cartoon, really-- colored in with fresh bright, loose watercolors, depicting Lord Byron leaning cavalierly against a dog (or bear?) while he pats its head and reads some papers. Admiring male scholars look on from the left and adoring busty ladies swoon on the right. Behind them all are a large body of water, purple mountains and billowing clouds, with the words, "Byron 1805" scrawled across the top. The dashing figure of Byron appears unaware of the stir he causes, his unruly locks of wind-tossed hair and conspicuously tight pants completing the image.]