In the Spotlight

How did you get started illustrating children's books?

I have wanted to be an illustrator since I was 10 years old, but it did not happen until I was 47, when Sleeping Bear Press asked me to illustrate The Legend of Sleeping Bear.

What other illustrators do you admire?

Other illustrators I admire are NC Wyeth, Gregory Manchess, David Shannon, Mike Wimmer. Since I was seven years old, I have admired Rien Poortvliet, Holland's best illustrator ever. It was one of his books that made me decide I wanted to become an illustrator also.

What medium do you work in and why?

I work in acrylic on canvas. It dries fast to a matte surface so it does not reflect light. It's easy to over paint, which I do a lot.

What advice would you give young, aspiring artists?

Draw every day and, if you are serious, go to a good art school to get your education. Also, learn as much as you can in your field. And finally, believe in yourself — if you really want it, it will happen.

Tell us about some of the current residents of Hazel Ridge Farm?

We don't do much wildlife rehabilitation any more, but at our farm we still have sheep, a horse, rabbits, pigeons, chickens, dogs and cats — animals that are easy to take care of. We have to have animals around us. Every once in a while we still take in a wild orphaned or injured animal.

Why do people call you Nick if your name is Gijsbert?

When I came here from the Netherlands in 1976, nobody could say or spell my name. My boss, the editor of Michigan Natural Resources magazine, said, "You need a nickname. How about "Nick," short for nickname." I liked it and I have been called Nick ever since.

Of all the books that you've illustrated, which one is your favorite? Why?

My favorite books so far are Adopted by an Owl and Saving Samantha for two reasons: I get to work with my wife, Robbyn (author of both books), and they are our true-life stories that happened right here on our farm and about the wildlife we cared for. I do a lot of school programs and those books [seem to be] the favorite books of elementary kids. We can't wait to release our third book in this series.

Do you do school visits? If so, what is unique or special about your presentation?

Yes, we do school programs. I do a drawing demonstration as part of my [K-6] school program and, depending on the grade level, every child goes home with one to four drawings. I make it very simple by using very basic shapes. I demonstrate and the kids follow along.

What is your favorite subject matter? Why?

My favorite subject matter is anything natural, from people to landscapes to animals. I try to avoid things that are man-made, as in planes, trains and automobiles. That does not always happen with projects but I don't enjoy those objects as much as pulling from the natural world.

Painting man-made objects gives me a stomachache. I guess I get tense working on those kinds of subjects — too many straight lines.

How old were you when you started to paint and draw?

My first recollection of drawing is when I was five years old. My grandmother had given me a box of crayons and I used them to make my first drawing. . .on the wall! From the living room all the way to the kitchen! My dad bought me my first sketchbook so I would not draw on the wall anymore. When it was full, all I had to do was give it back to him and he would buy me a new one. I was doing between 50 and 60 sketchbooks a year when I was six years old.

I probably remember this incident because I got in trouble but I'm sure I was drawing before I was five. Grandma gave me crayons for a reason.

Who inspired or encouraged you when you were learning to paint?

My dad was my biggest supporter and fan, and he encouraged me all the way. He always told me make your hobby your career, and you will live a happy life. And boy, he was right!