Lane Smith - About the Author
There's something about Lane Smith's art that invites both a chuckle and a double-take. While the first glance seems silly and whimsical, the second reveals a deep appreciation of surreal art and often a deeper message. Perhaps this is why books he has illustrated and, more recently, both written and illustrated are such favorites with both kids and parents. There's something for everyone.
Lane has been widely quoted as crediting his early years in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the campy kitsch that is Route 66 for informing his art. What you may not know is that Lane also was a custodial host at Disneyland for four or five years. That constant bombardment of Mickeydom may have left its mark on the future Caldecott honoree.
But it doesn't stop there. Along with the famous highway through middle America, Lane also cites Paul Klee, silent films, Tex Avery cartoons, the Bob and Ray radio show, Monty Python and Edward Gorey as influences. "Ultimately, it comes down to whatever you liked as a kid and studied and how it filters through your brain," says Smith. It seems to amuse the artist that The Stinky Cheese Man is a frequent study for classes on post-modernism at universities.
Lane Smith and Jon Scieszka were brought together by their wives. Both were art directors and Jon was teaching third grade at the time. Smith and Scieszka hit it off and soon came up with a book dummy. "Too satirical" was the almost universal response to The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs Told. Eventually, Lane snared an appointment with Virginia Hazen at Viking. "She was the first person who laughed," recalls the artist fondly. As the editor chuckled behind her desk, Lane ran to the nearest pay phone to tell Jon the good news. Two months later they had contracts and a legendary team was on its way.
True Story was a phenomenon. The publisher printed a few thousand copies of this book by two unknowns. Booksellers loved it and handsold it. Viking went back to press for a few thousand more. Before they knew it, tens of thousands of books were being printed to meet the ever-increasing demand. Lane and Jon thought this was just what happened as a matter of course. They soon learned better but they have continued to have fruitful and successful careers both together and independently.
Most children's picture books happen in a very linear way: the author writes the text, the agent sells it, the editor brings in an illustrator to create the art for the finished text and the book is published. Lane and Jon work differently. The writing and illustrating involves a bit of back-and-forth and a whole lot of ping pong, which involves much more back-and-forth. "We trust what the other does. Jon gives me the story. I do the illustrations. Molly designs the book, and Jon takes a final look," explains Lane.
As successful as they have been as a pair, they also find energy and inspiration with other partners. Jon has worked with David Shannon and Lane just released a book with text by Bob Shea, Big Plans. Their cute-meet is the story of book publishing legend. Lane was signing books at the huge BookExpo America, with probably hundreds of eager booksellers in line. A self-effacing guy came through the line and handed Lane a folder and asked how he was enjoying the conference. "I stuck it in my bag and read it that night in my room - tears were coming down my face! I called him and asked 'Who are you?' He sent me Big Plans and my agent said it was the best thing she'd read in years."
Things are good for Lane Smith. "This is a fun time in my career," confirms the author/illustrator. "I can do my own projects, I can work with Jon and we both can work with other people."
Madam President, both written and illustrated by Lane Smith, is coming out this month and is a direct offshoot of his visit to New Orleans for an American Library Association conference. Lane recalls that "It was June, 2006, nearly a year after Hurricane Katrina and the area was still in disarray. I was there to talk about John, Paul, George & Ben so I had our founding fathers in my thoughts. I wondered what Washington or Jefferson would've done. This got me to thinking about the massive responsibilities a president has to contend with. I began to jot down ideas. I began with, 'A president has many duties...' Of course after several rewrites the tone became lighthearted and comical. My books always turn out that way. But I'm proud to say it also has many sweet moments," Lane remarks.
While Lane Smith certainly has a distinctive artistic style, he somehow manages to remain fresh. "Each book is an opportunity and I try to do something different every time." Lane Smith books have been about the past (John, Paul, George & Ben), the future (the Time Warp Trio books), and the present (Madam President), about families (The Happy Hocky Family) and folktales (The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, about other worlds (Baloney, Henry P.) and other media (Cowboy and Octopus). Who knows where he'll go next? Only the creative soul of Lane Smith knows because we're not on Route 66 any more.
Interviewed by Ellen Myrick, April 2008
