Time to Doodle & Sketch : An Interview with Shennen Bersani, by Ashley Lucas

This month I am so pleased to share with you my interview with fellow SCBWI member Shennen Bersani. I came across Shennen’s wonderful work via Linda Evans Hofke; a member of my regional SCBWI group. Although I haven’t met her in person, I feel Shennen is a kindred spirit because of her love of nature (and bats!). She is truly an accomplished author and illustrator who has many valuable insights to share with all of us.

Please describe your artwork in three words: 

Emotional, nature, researched

Could you share with us a little about your artistic process?
I illustrate a variety of books, from non-fiction with humans to anthropomorphic animals.  Each one calls for a slightly different style and technique, but most start out with the same beginning – colored pencils on watercolor paper.  Depending upon the effects I want to achieve I either leave it at that, or I will also use Caran d’Ache crayons, either as paint under the pencils as an underpainting, or as a crayon over the pencil work creating texture.  ‘Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers’, ‘My Sister, Alicia May’, and ‘Nana, What’s Cancer?’ are all examples of this technique. Other books that are more whimsical in nature start out the same way but are then scanned into Photoshop where I add atmospheric elements to the art.  Examples of this are the waves in ‘Shark Baby’ or the pollen in ‘Achoo! Why Pollen Counts’.

‘Ocean Counting: Odd Numbers’, written by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

‘Shark Baby’, written by Ann Downer, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

Nature seems to be a theme in many of your works. What is it that you find most fascinating about plants and animals?
I’ve always been fascinated with Earth Science and the cycles of our planet. I’m constantly observing my environment, therefore I enjoy illustrating the quiet things of nature that often go unnoticed – little flowers within weeds, mosses, mice, insects, air bubbles in water…  I also love visiting the places I illustrate; so I can see the colors and natural lighting, touch the textures, and smell the actual environment.  I believe doing so brings more richness and depth to my art.

I really, really love bats! Therefore, I was tickled to find out that you illustrated ‘Home in the Cave’ by Janet Halfmann. How did that project come about, and could you explain a little about the process of researching your cute, flying subjects?
Your question has me smiling!  I loved illustrating this book.  As I finished illustrating ‘The Glaciers are Melting!’ I asked my editor if she had another book with furry animals that needed illustrating. She asked me how I felt about bats – and I said “I love them!”. Even though the bats were anthropomorphic, I wanted to make them and their cave environment as real as possible, so I did quite a bit of research for the book.  My first phase of research was driving from Boston to Pennsylvania with my family.  We first stopped at Lost River Caverns, in Hellertown.  We didn’t find any bats there, but we got our first look at a cave interior with its stalagmites and stalactites.  The next day we drove across the state to visit Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks in Huntingdon. There we entered multiple caves, complete with flying bats and some cave insects in their natural habitat.  The following week I set out by myself for phase II of my research when I flew out to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.  Home to a large population of bats, the caverns are huge and jaw droppingly beautiful.  The third phase of my research was to visit the Kunz Bat Lab at Boston University. Professor Thomas Kunz graciously opened his doors and allowed me to sit for hours with some of his specimens – holding them, sketching them, and photographing them for later observation. Visiting the various caves and observing actual bats gave me a solid foundation to illustrate the book realistically – even though it is a fictional story.

That is so cool that you have illustrated for Highlights magazine! How did that opportunity arise for you and what subject were you required to draw?
I connected with the Highlights staff a few ways, I sent them samples of my art directly, but I also believe their art directors saw my portfolio at various SCBWI events in New York – Winter Conference and also at Frieda Gates.  I illustrated a little girl gardening, a robin and earthworms for Highlights High Five Magazine.  Of course, the highlight of Highlights is attending their illustrator party in Honesdale and meeting the other wonderful artists that illustrate for their magazines and books.

Who is the most interesting person you met, or lesson you learned as a result of being a member of SCBWI?
Each time I’ve attended the New York Winter Conference I’ve met amazing people who I “know” through the Internet but don’t actually know in person.  SCBWI events are fabulous networking opportunities. One person that stands out is John Shelley.  John and I had “known” each other for many years as members of PBAA. John currently lives in England, but the year I met him in person he had traveled to NY from Japan as the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI Tokyo. SCBWI events open up these possibilities.

Your latest book about the subject of pollen looks like a great resource for teachers and librarians. How can we find more information about ‘Achoo! Why Pollen Counts’ and about your work online? 

I wrote ‘Achoo! Why Pollen Counts’ to: help children, teachers, and parents understand what causes pollen allergies and why pollen is important to all living things on earth. Through the use of: a soft and cuddly bedtime-book-like illustration style; a realistic pollen sufferer’s view of a pollen-covered pine forest; and, many elementary-focused science
facts, teachers, parents, and scientists can use this book to easily communicate and teach children and adults about this important worsening worldwide issue. The book includes several pages of additional bee and pollination facts.  It brings me great joy to also hear and see that so many children are using this book as their favorite bedtime reader with hiding insects in the art, and a bee on every page for children to find. Count all those bees!  People can learn more about the book, pollen, bees and pollinators atwww.achoowhypollencounts.com.  The book is available at www.arbordalepublishing.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and at many gift shops and booksellers. I am currently illustrating my 26th picture book.  You can read more about me and my books at www.Shennen.com.

Achoo! Why Pollen Counts’, written and illustrated by Shennen Bersani

Ashley Lucas {aka Lady Lucas} also likes to make things and draw things daily. You can find her latest illustrative work – such as adorable adult coloring books, in her Etsy store or follow her on social media @LadyLucasArt. Her monthly newsletter offers free artwork & craft ideas perfect for parents, teachers and creatives.