PLEASE NOTE: This page has now moved to
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DEBBIE'S FOUND OBJECT DOODLES
(last updated May 19, 2014)
Thanks for your interest in my found object doodles! I've created this info page to answer some of the questions I'm frequently asked. Over time, I'll also be adding more resources about found object art, including tips on how young people can create their own found object art.
You can find my found object art on Flickr, but I also post a selection on Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, my personal Facebook Wall, Twitter and my Found Object portfolio.
Q. Why did you begin creating your found object doodles?
A. I was inspired by one of David Diaz's Lost Weekends and also wanted to do more creative play to keep my work fresh. See Found Object Doodles (a.k.a. Sometimes It's Ok To Play With Your Food Before Eating It) plus a print-ready template for young people.
Although I work with pretty much any found objects, I am drawn to perishable items.
Q. Are you going to do a found object book?
A. Probably, but not yet.
I've been approached by several publishers and did start discussions with Simon & Schuster Children's, but have decided to put this idea on hold for now. There are a few of book ideas I've been toying around with:
I will likely end up publishing the collection of my found object doodles someday. I may find a publisher, or I may end up self-publishing.
I may someday do a nonfiction book for young readers about creating found object art but there are already a few out there, and I need to figure out how to set mine apart. Maybe I'll add some fun illustrations.
I'm torn about a fiction picture book. I don't want to do a picture book using found objects just for the sake of using the objects. A strong story and compelling characters come first. It will add a lot of hassle and complications to my illustration process to use found objects, including photography process, how to do revisions, using the same found objects throughout will limit how I illustrate the story, etc....so if I go this route, I want to make sure I'm fully invested in the story AND the technique.
I admire children's book illustrators like Denise Fleming, Barbara Reid and Suzanne Rizzo who work with physical objects in their illustrations and do it WELL.
If I didn't have anything else on the go, I'd pursue this wholeheartedly (with my home publisher, Simon & Schuster Children's). The truth is, however, that my plate is already full over the next couple of years AND I have so many other ideas of books that I want to write and illustrate....not just picture books, but also chapter books, middle grade and YA novels, other types of nonfiction books for young people.
Also, I must confess that a part of me loves the idea of continuing to create these found object doodles purely for the fun of it.
Q. Where else can I find cool found object art?
There are SOOOO many wonderful artists out there who work with found objects, and I encourage you to check out their work. Here are just a few:
Cinta Scotch (Javier Pérez): I love his simple, creative ink and found object doodles on Instagram.
Victor Nunes: I first discovered Victor's work when people started sending me his amazing popcorn doodles. He works with ink and found objects.
People who have used found objects in their published children's books:
Suzanne Del Rizzo, Denise Fleming, Alma Fullerton, Marthe Joceyn, Hanoch Piven, Barbara Reid, Lindsay Ward.
If you have others to suggest to this list, please let me know!