Renowned Children's Book Illustrator: 'I Feel Free to be Me' at Color Me Mine

With a client list ranging from Scholastic and Harper-Collins all the way through HBO and Rolling Stone, you could understand why children's book illustrator Steve Henry would be upset if 'his table' isn't reserved weekly at art shop .

It is here that Henry, commuting from Manhattan, assembles and draws those whimsical cartoony themes that he's lauded for. Ceramics is the medium that he particularly likes.

"I was introduced to this place in 2002 by another illustrator who's since moved to Hawaii," Henry said.

"A bunch of us illustrators would meet at a similar store in the city on Friday nights and paint on dinner plates but it closed down. The people at Color Me Mine are nice and let me hang around for the  afternoon. And the interaction with the kids is interesting."

Manager Geary Wittmann said that at Color Me Mine's numerous birthday parties, a crowd of youngsters will always gather around Henry to watch him draw.

"They're all fascinated with him," Wittmann said. 

Often Henry will even help out during a party if it gets super busy; it's his way of 'giving back', he said. Kids who are initially shy will come out of their shell and start asking about art, as will their parents and grandparents.

Drawing at home is insular, Henry said. Here he can eavesdrop and hear what kids say and, most especially, watch what they like to draw. Many are quite talented.

"Drawing on ceramic is relaxing and freer compared to other work in another medium," Henry explained.

Henry says that he can complete (from squeeze bottles with pins attached to them) three complex or six simple tiles in an afternoon and he often draws from a sketch he's brought with him. Then Wittmann, who he calls 'the best glazier,' supplies the finishing touch.

"I do a lot of educational work like textbooks and workbooks. It's much more exacting. But you get tired of the nitty-gritty of my profession and the restrictions editorial places on you. Here, I'm free to be me. It's like a mental health day."

Check out some of Steve Henry's artwork at his website: http://stevehenryillustration.com/html/contact.html