“Generally, I think of myself as a drawer… so pen and ink is really what I love,” explains the dexterous John Hendrix. And he has drawn far more than just that conclusion. Steel bridges, robots, vines, squids, under-appreciated civil rights heroes from the 1850s, watch gears, dimensional bar signage, people with beards, foxes and all kinds of hats turn up repeatedly in John’s illustrations for popular books and magazines. His most recent book, “Nurse, Soldier, Spy: Sarah Edmonds Civil War Hero”, was published in February 2011, from Abrams Books for Young Readers. In addition to creating his editorial illustrations and picture books, John teaches Illustration and Communication Design at Washington University in St. Louis. See how John keeps from drawing a blank in his 10 ANSWERS below.
1. How would you describe your work in three words?
Whimsical. Designed. Doodled.
2. Who is your creative role model?
I’ve had the chance to get to know Jack Unruh over the last few years, and I so admire the length of his career and the passion he brings to the pure act of drawing. He will spend two days on a 4 inch spot illustration because it is what the drawing demands. Amazing.
3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
I’d go to the batting cages, followed by eating something.
4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
There is no better place to me than inside a beautifully dark church sanctuary during the day. I find stained glass windows decorating empty space really moving.
5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
I’d be on Saturday Night Live. I did a lot of theater and improv in college and loved it, but ultimately chose art as my career path. I think I could have been a good comedy writer too.
6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
I make my wife these Joseph Cornell inspired (read: blatantly-ripped-off) shadow boxes every year for Valentines Day. I love making stuff with objects instead of drawing them.
7. What is your favorite object in your home?
Can I say my light table? No, that is sad. I have a hand-written letter from my favorite author, Annie Dillard, who wrote me back after I sent her a drawing in the mail.
8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Marshal Arisman is like the Yoda of illustration. He once told me “STOP.” on a drawing I had been rendering to death. Good advice for me. A close second would be “An illustrators visual style is not about displaying strengths, but hiding weaknesses.” A good reminder that we should embrace our limitations.
9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
I really love and I use it to keep up on what is happening out there, much more than aggregator websites. Though I do follow a few illustration blogs like Drawger. Ever seen the Paper Forest? Pipe organs made from paper, etc.
10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
I don’t get anxiety about finishing things. I’m sort of a chronic finisher… I need more indecision in my life. So, I just work until exactly 5 minutes after the deadline- Done.
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