Gina Perry

I grew up south of Boston, graduated from Syracuse University and worked in animation and as an art director before finding my happy home as a writer and illustrator of children's books.
I live, work, and raise my family on the seacoast of New Hampshire where pine trees are the tallest obstacles to the sea.
My top sports are table tennis, crochet, tea-making, and not-vacuuming.

Have you always been creative and artistic?

Yes! And relative to my halloween Crafterella, I just found drawings I did at age 7 of my halloween costume that year - I was a giant cardboard dice! I looked good but had a terrible time walking down stairs.
My mom is an amazing sewer and my dad can make/fix anything with a motor or wheels. Making comes from them. They are both funny and very good, quirky storytellers. So I think the root of my work comes from them. but processed in my own visual way.

How would you describe the style of your work?

I like to think my work is vibrant, funny, and always full of heart.

What’s in your pencil case and what’s your favorite tool?

My cintiq would NOT fit in my pencil case but it my number one favorite tool. I switched to working digitally last year and it's made work ten times faster and more fun.
But in a real pencil case, I love a soft Tombow mono pencil. It leaves a great line and has a cute little dragonfly symbol.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Oh, that's impossible! It was always Batman, but I think Jessica Jones stole my heart.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

OMG - to insert myself as Hurley's sidekick on LOST after the show ended.

Where do you look for inspiration?

First, I love my kids. They constantly crack me up and their ideas are beyond weird and wonderful. Second, I love nature: fog, mossy trees, tidepools, acorn caps and leaves of all kinds.

Who are your favorite artists or comic book authors?

Absolutely! This could be too long so I will go with my favorite graphic novel artists! James Kochalka, Dav Pilkey, Marc Boutavant, Gene Luen Yang, Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell, Sara Varon, and Noelle Stevenson