Interview with Kim Chatel Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is pleased to interview Kim Chatel, who is here to talk about her new book, “Rainbow Sheep.” Kim Chatel is a Canadian born writer, photographer and fiber artist. She is the author of two books for children, “The Stone Beach” (Eternal Press) and “Rainbow Sheep” (Guardian Angel Publishing). Her picture book, “A Talent for Quiet,” will be out in the fall of 2008 from Guardian Angel Publishing. Kim now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, daughter and an assortment of animals. And today she is here to tell us about the newly published “Rainbow Sheep” that she both wrote and illustrated—more about those illustrations later. Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Kim. What I am most struck by is how original “Rainbow Sheep” looks. Before we get involved in the story, will you tell us how you came up with the idea for the book—did the story come first or the format?
Tyler: Will you tell us a little bit about the plot? Kim: Genevieve is a shepherdess who finds a sad, pale rainbow. He's sad because he's bored. Genevieve, though always alone with her sheep, is never bored because she has a big imagination. She tells funny stories to the rainbow, until he cries happy tears. These colorful tears change her sheep from muddy grey to all the colors of the rainbow. At the end of the book, there are also several nonfiction pages that introduce children to the art of needle felting. Tyler: Would you say the book has a theme or message for children, and how would you describe it? Kim: Yes, the message is that if you have an imagination, you'll never be bored. Literature and art are two great ways to inspire an imagination in a child, so I believe they work well together. Some of my favorite memories of childhood are rainy days when I could spend the whole afternoon reading. I hope one day a child will spend an afternoon with my book, and remember it as a great day. Tyler: What age group did you write “Rainbow Sheep” for? Kim: “Rainbow Sheep” can be read to younger children (age 4) or read alone by older children (age 8-10). I've even had adults buy it for themselves because of the unique artwork and the simple introduction to needle-felting at the end. Tyler: Will you explain the technique used for the decorating or illustrating of the book? These are certainly not typical illustrations? Kim: The illustrations are made by needle-felting. This is like sculpting with wool. I made felt "paintings" by stretching a wool canvas over a wooden frame and then felting the wool onto it. I then photographed each of the frames. The effect is sort of 3D. Felting is a very old artform that has made a renaissance. Wet felting (which is done by boiling or agitating wool in warm water) has been done as long as people have harvested wool from sheep. I use a dry technique, needle-felting. This is done with a small barbed needle. When you poke the unspun wool (called roving) with the needle, it compacts the fibers. Eventually it becomes solid enough to sculpt with. These needles come from the industrial machines that make felt material. Those machines use thousands of the barbed needles to compact wool into felt. Someone had the bright idea to take one of those needles and try sculpting with it. I'm glad they did! When I started felting there were few resources for it. I had to buy everything online and I found only one book on the topic. Now there are chat groups for felting! For the first time, a big-box craft store in my area now stocks wool roving and needles. I love this craft and I'm glad to see it introduced to a wider audience. Tyler: Why did you choose to use needle felting for the illustrations rather than regular watercolors or pen and ink drawings? What do you think makes your illustrations especially appropriate for “Rainbow Sheep”? Kim: I have been making needle-felted ornaments and figures for many years. I was inspired by pictures books that use alternative forms of art such as collage or plasticene to illustrate the story. I wondered whether I could do the same with felting. I made a couple of test frames and fell in love with the process. I can't draw or paint, but somehow, with a felting needle in hand, it all comes naturally. From the first time I made a felt project, I knew it was my medium. It just felt right (pardon the pun). I think the felt illustrations add a nostalgia to the book that goes nicely with the story. Some reviewers have mentioned the fairy-tale feel of the story. That is exactly what I was going for. Also, adding the craft element, particularly in the back info pages, opens up many more promotional opportunities for the book. I will be visiting bookstores and libraries this fall. Along with a reading, we will be doing simple felt crafts. I love to inspire children to create, as well as to read. Tyler: Are you aware of anyone else who is using needle-felting for book illustrations? Kim: No. I haven't seen any others, though I have seen other mediums, such as collages, plasticene and paper crafts. Fiber art, though an ancient art, has only recently made its renaissance. I wouldn't be surprised to find others creating fiber art illustrations in the near future. Tyler: What is the reaction you get to the illustrations, especially from children? Kim: I love to watch children (and even adults) open the book for the first time. Many reach out to touch the page, expecting it to be soft. The images seem so realistic and tactile. I am pleased with the quality of the print. Every fiber of wool is visible. It makes the book feel warm and fuzzy. I think children react positively to that aspect. Also, there is a certain "Aaaaw…" factor to the illustrations that is fun for all ages. Tyler: What made you interested in needle felting? Kim: I have always been a crafter and a photographer. I've dabbled in just about every craft out there. A few years ago, I was selling my photographs on wooden gift boxes and I was looking for a simple way to make small ornaments to go inside the boxes. I discovered needle-felting on a craft show and ordered the supplies online. I was immediately hooked! I no longer make gift boxes, but I still felt every day. Tyler: Do you intend to illustrate any other books with this technique? Kim: I'm thinking about it. I have several projects in the works. One is a picture book that I think would be fun illustrated with needle-felt. I'm trying to decide if it would be anti-climactic to have a second book with needle-felted illustrations or if it would be a good thing. Tyler: I personally wouldn’t be surprised if a whole series of such books would make them more collectible. What kinds of stories do you think you will write in the future? Kim: I hope one day the original artwork for "Rainbow Sheep" will be considered collectible. My daughter has dibs on a couple of them and I would keep my favorite (no, I won't say which that is!), but then I hope to auction off the rest for worthy children's and animal charities. I am currently working on a picture book called "Dragon Cookies." This was another dream I gave my daughter. If I decide to illustrate it with fiber art again, I will include different felt crafts. Other than that, I am working on a middle grade chapter book called "Burgher and the Woebegone." I will do something special with this one too, but you'll have to wait and see what that is. Tyler: What do you recommend if readers (children or adults) are interested in also doing needle felting? Kim: There are two simple crafts for kids at the back of the book. One uses a needle and I suggest it for children 8 years and over. The other is a wet felt craft, which is simple and fun for kids of all ages. On my website (www.kimchatel.com) I also have a movie of my daughter and I making a felt sheep. This is a good way to see the instructions in action. I also have some resource suggestions of where to buy felting supplies. Tyler: What else do you make besides pictures for books with needle-felting art? I understand you sent our child reviewers, Madeline and Sophia, their own sheep? Kim: Yes, if you order the book from my site you get a signed copy and your choice of a felt sheep or a kit to make your own (following the instructions from the book). I also give away these sheep at book signings. I will be doing some craft fairs this summer to promote the book and I have other felt figures to sell too—Christmas tree ornaments and music boxes. There is a small album of photos on my site and I'll be adding to it. Tyler: What responses have you received so far to “Rainbow Sheep”? Kim: Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. I have 9 five-star reviews on Amazon and several on other sites. Madeline and Sophia were my first child reviewers and I held my breath until I heard from them. I'm pleased that they like it. Really, parents buy the book, but I wrote it to bring pleasure to kids. I read it to my daughter's second grade class and brought the original artwork for them to see. They were very enthusiastic about the whole thing. I will be doing more school visits in the fall. Tyler: Kim, did you always want to write or illustrate children’s books? Kim: No. I started out writing adult fantasy. I still do, under my legal name Kim McDougall. Kim Chatel is my married name. I separated the two (along with two websites) because the genres are very different. In college, my hardest course was a class called "Writing for Children." I had no experience with kids and had no idea what to say to them. I don't know how I passed that course! Then I married a man with two small boys and had a daughter of my own. I always read to them. It was—and still is—one of our favorite pastimes. I also discovered that I love children books. I looked forward to rereading some of our favorites as much as my daughter. I was also enthralled by the beautiful artwork. Writing for children just seemed a natural extension of my family life. Tyler: Would you tell us a little about your adult fantasy books as well? Kim: I have two adult fantasies coming out this year with Double Dragon Publishing. The first, "Angel Venom," is now available. This novella is a nasty love story between missionaries on another world. It encompasses all the great themes: love, war, religion and angels that bite. You can read a complete blurb and excerpt at http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-55404-600-9. It's worth checking out just to see the fabulous cover. Double Dragon will also release the first book in my fantasy trilogy this fall. "Caul, Shroud and Veil" is a fantasy about broken gods, broken hearts and a sentient fire. Both these stories will be available in print, ebook and possibly audiobook. I also have two Coffee Break Shorts available from Eternal Press. These are inexpensive ebooks of about 5,000 to 9,000 words. Great for busy schedules. "Barbegazi" is now available and is a fantasy about the mythical icemen from the alps. You can read all about the Barbegazi folk on my adult website at www.kimmcdougall.com The second short is "Luminari," a tale of the drastic lengths a mortal man endures to impress his vampire lover. It will be available in November. I realize all this seems like a lot to have published at once, but these stories, along with my children's fiction, are the culmination of years of work. They all just came to fruition at the same time. Tyler: Do you find it difficult to make the adjustment between writing for children versus adults? What are the real difficulties or what do you most enjoy about each medium of writing? Kim: No, both genres inspire me in different ways. Also, I love to write flash fiction for adults. Honing this particular genre has been wonderful for my children's fiction. Picture books need to have an economy of words like flash fiction. And even though I write dark fantasy for adults and picture books for kids, all my writing has a mythical, lyrical feel with a bit of dry humor thrown in. I don't think my voice changes from one genre or another. For fantasy fiction, I like that the possibilities are endless. I root my fiction in history and mythology. Ancient stories and biographies fascinate me. Much of my fantasy fiction ends up on the dark side, because I like to push the boundaries of emotions, and every day conventions. I want to consider how people will react when put into overwhelming situations, but often the drama comes more from their internal conflicts than external action. Children's fiction can also address these issues, though on a lighter side. Again, mythology or fairy tales are prominent in my children's fiction. And animals. I love all animals and insects (except for earwigs), and picture books let me embrace this passion in a way that adult fiction doesn't. Tyler: Would you say any specific books, writers or artists have had an influence on your creation of your own books? Kim: The "About Me" has a list of some of my favorite books. I'm not sure they influenced me as much as I aspire to write and create to that level. One book that definitely inspired me is "The New Baby Calf" by Edith Newlin Chase and Barbara Reid. That is the one illustrated with plasticene that made my wheels start turning to use felt as art. I also love Ursula K. Leguin and Kate DiCamillo. Their stories feel like fairy tales or mythologies, even though they can be modern. I love that subtlety. Tyler: Thank you, Kim for joining me today. Before we go, will you tell our readers about your website and what additional information they can find there about “Rainbow Sheep” and your other books? Kim: On my website, you can learn more about needle-felting and see a slide show about Casey, the cat who inspired "The Stone Beach." You can play games and watch movies. I also have a writing contest for kids going on until September 30th 2008. Send me a funny story to tell the sad rainbow and you could win a needle felted rainbow sheep music box! I also make book trailers for all my books. You can view these on my websites or on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=klchatel Tyler: Thank you, Kim, for the great interview. I hope you inspire a whole new generation of needle-felters and imaginative children. Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live |
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