Each Friday, a person who is making bold moves, living well, nurturing their creativity, following their passions, and making magic will be featured on Bold Living Today.
Today’s interview is with the witty, musical, artistic, and oh so observant Marcellus Hall. I think I’ve known Marcellus since I was about 19 year old (can that be right?). I have been fascinated by his honest spirit, creative eye, and genuine nature. I was thrilled he had some time to fit this interview in – because he always on the creative move!
question 1:
When did you know or decide you wanted to be a professional illustrator?
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I always knew that I could or would draw pictures in my life. I remember getting attention in kindergarten for a drawing that I made of a race car. But it wasn’t until I had to choose a major in art school that I zeroed in on the idea of being an illustrator. Even then I had a strong interest in the “fine” art world. When I arrived in New York at age 24, I was determined to give illustration a try.
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{Kanesha} Your determination paid off! So glad you stuck with it.
question 2:
How does your love of traveling influence your artwork?
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I am inspired by culture and new environments. When I travel I am moved to make sketches. I feel an urge to capture what I see. It’s possible that sketching also serves as a kind of buffer or comfort zone for me when I’m in a foreign place. At the same time, sketching has also served for me as a kind of entry point with locals. Either way, the art that I make while traveling informs my professional work. Any drawing that I do teaches me something – the more practice I have in navigating a page with line, the more adept I am in the future.
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{Kanesha} Seems like sketching keeps you mindful and present, too.
question 3:
You are also a touring musician. How do you create time and space to nurture this artistic expression?
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I’m not sure how I manage it. Sometimes I fear that I spread myself too thin. Each discipline (illustration and music) offers refuge for me from the other. Illustration offers solitude and autonomy. Music offers camaraderie, cooperation, and an audience.
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{Kanesha} I’m glad you are able to honor both.
question 4:
My family and I love all the children’s books you have illustrated. Tell us about the latest one.
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The book I am working on now is a self-penned picture book about a pug who is unable to sleep. It is the first book I will have written myself and it is due out in 2013 by Penguin. I posted a few images on facebook and on my blog (www.drawger.com/marcellus).
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{Kanesha} This is exciting and I can’t wait to read it. I think my daughter will love this book the most – out of the other books you’ve illustrated – because she loves pugs!
question 5:
What six words describe bold living for you?
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The first six words that come to my mind are “Party ‘til the break of dawn.”
After that, I think of “Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Amen.”
“Leave no child behind” comes to mind also, but that is only four words.
Marcellus Hall was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated with a BFA in illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and moved to New York, NY. He embarked on simultaneous careers as both a musician and illustrator. His illustrations have appeared in Time, the Wall St Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times, and the New Yorker. He has created two covers for the New Yorker.
Hall also works as a children’s book illustrator. His books include “Because You Are My Baby” (2008 Abrams – written by Sherry North), “City I Love” (2009 Abrams – written by Lee Bennett Hopkins), “Because I Am Your Daddy” (2010 Abrams – written by Sherry North), and “The Cow Loves Cookies” (2010 Simon & Schuster – written byKarma Wilson).
question 1: 
