What's Your Story?

"What's Your Story?" #005-Alice McKinley Interview

February 15, 2021 Todd Phillips Season 1 Episode 5
What's Your Story?
"What's Your Story?" #005-Alice McKinley Interview
Show Notes Chapter Markers

It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity to chat with my recent guest and a rising star in the world of Children's Book Illustration, . . . Alice McKinley!  I may think of her as a rising star but with several illustration credits already to her name, she is quickly reaching star status amongst the Children's book inner circles. 
 
Her wonderfully crafted art and talent for storytelling take center stage with "Nine Lives Newton" and it is a joy to read and consume with each and every page turn. You might think that Newton is an obvious story that revolves around a cat with its nine lives. Well, you would be wrong with that assumption!  Newton just so happens to be a Bassett Hound!  Sounds like crazy fun . . . and trust me when I tell you that it's just the beginning!  With "Nine Lives Newton" already taking the market by storm, Alice is poised to follow that up with a book about a boy and a Dodo Bird; actually lots and lots of Dodo birds! 

Join me as I talk in-depth about her career thus far as an illustrator and some lessons learned during her successful journey. She also shares her very unique perspective regarding some of the creative challenges and joys that are often associated with the art of illustration.

To Follow Alice:
Instagram: @mckalice
Twitter: @Armckinley1

Pickled Ink Agency:
Portfolio: http://www.pickledink.com/alice-mckinley.html
Bio: http://www.pickledink.com/alice-mckinley-biography.html

Books:
House of Clouds:
https://www.amazon.com/House-Of-Clouds/dp/1781129061
Bones and Biscuits: https://www.amazon.com/Bones-and-Biscuits/dp/1444956124/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bones+and+biscuits+letters+from+a+dog+named+Bobs&qid=1612453671&sr=8-1
Jack's Secret Summer: https://www.amazon.com/Jacks-Secret-Summer/dp/1444952978/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Nine Lives Newton: https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Lives-Newton-Alice-McKinley/dp/1471181189/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Nine+Lives+Newton&qid=1612454232&s=books&sr=1-1

To SEE Alice talk about Nine Lives Newton: ("Draw Along with A Lenton" Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8tdRB028c
 
To share any comments or hate mail please feel free to reach me here: phillipswys@gmail.com
To comment about my sloppy wardrobe, send all complaints here: phillipswys@gmail.com

I'm always open to guest suggestions. Send me their web address or links to their work.
I love all art but especially have a fondness for Children's books, 2D animation and Comics.
Funny genre only, please.  

Thanks for listening.  

Episode Theme and Guest Reveal
Host Introduces Alice
Retro Commercial 9 Lives Cat Food
Retro Commercial Xfinity Bassett Hound
Interview Begins
Alice talks about her early days
Art training background
First paying Illustration gig (job)
2020 Vision; What a year!
The birth of Newton
Developing Newton
The beauty of simplicity! Less is often more!
The brilliance behind the Hot Dog Vendor cart and the Cat Food Ad Banner concept
The Degree Show and All Eyes on Newton!
Digital Software and Today's Digital Tools
Alice's favorite pencil for drawing
Some of the challenges of writing and illustrating a book
Flexibility and Collaborating with Publishers
Swamp Monster!
That feeling you get seeing your book on the retail shelves
Process of working with another writer
Working in greyscale
Pickled Ink and Working with an Agent
Finding your style
If Alice had Nine Lives....
Where people can follow Alice
Dodo Birds?
Podcast outro
Closing theme and credits