Coloring outside the lines

In the world of children’s picture books, an artist is either unique or unemployed

By Jennifer Clampet

The Times, Sep 27, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jaime Valdez / The Times

ART FOR ART’S SAKE — Children’s book writer and illustrator Nicole Rubel sits at the dining room table in her Aurora home.

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Nicole Rubel’s brain belongs to an artist.

The artist created works of flying pumpkins in purple skies and a big-nosed bear in cowboy garb. The artist decorated Rubel’s home with bright wall colors of pink and yellow and adorned a hallway with a colorful portrait of the family pets wearing clothes and human-like expressions.

The artist hung a chandelier with reflective fruit in the dining room of Rubel’s Aurora home. The artist spends hours every day writing, drawing and creating characters from childhood memories.

“There’s too many fabulous artists out there, so if you’re not memorable, you won’t last,” Rubel said as she sat beneath her fruitful chandelier.

“And I’m not going to hide who I am.”

In the world of children’s picture books, an artist is either unique or unemployed.

Rubel, 54, has been creating illustrations for children’s books for more than 30 years. She has written or illustrated more than 60 books.

Rubel is best known for the Rotten Ralph children’s series for which she is a co-creator. The series has sold more than 1.5 million copies.

But while Rubel has also written several children’s books, the picture art is her trademark. Using a technical pen for quirky, thick lines and ad markers for exuberant colors, her art speaks. But more importantly, said Stephen Mooser, president of the international Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, her art tells a story.

“The fact that someone can paint a pretty picture like landscape or portraits doesn’t mean he can tell a story to a young reader,” Mooser said.

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