Author-Illustrator Eric Rohmann - a Biography

Eric Rohmann is obsessed with books, which is probably why he chose to pursue a career as a children's author and illustrator. In a Random House interview, Eric Rohmann admitted that despite what some may think, he does not actually spend every waking moment writing and illustrating children's books. He explained that a portion of his time is spent pursuing other interests: "I also think about books and paintings and look at books and paintings by other people." (Random House)

However, Eric Rohmann was not always a literary enthusiast. The author and illustrator grew up in an environment that failed to foster reading. Books were in short supply in his home. "We had the Sears catalogue and then there was a romance novel that kept the table from wobbling." (Reading Rockets) Eric Rohmann feels that this lack of reading material was partly due to the time period in which he grew up-the 1960s, when television's popularity had become widespread. However, when this self-proclaimed member of the "TV Generation" was not staring at the screen, he found himself exploring comic books. Eventually, he transitioned from comics to fantasy novels, thus sparking a lifelong love of reading. Eric Rohmann enjoyed a variety of authors, but was especially drawn to, "Wanda Gag, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Maurice Sendak, J.R.R. Tolkien, George Herriman," and cites his favorite books as "Millions of Cats, Where The Wild Things Are, The Sea Around Us, Tarzan of the Apes, The Snowy Day, Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Phantom Tollbooth and any comic book." (Book Page)

Although Eric Rohmann was not originally an avid reader, he did have a deep appreciation for storytelling from a young age. Instead of searching for stories in novels, Eric Rohmann created stories in his artwork. "I've always made pictures and the pictures I've made have always told stories." (Mitchell). It was this combination of art with storytelling that drew him to reading comics books as a child. In turn, comic books taught him how to use pictures and text in conjunction to tell a story.

As a young student, Rohmann quickly discovered that he enjoyed academics more if he was allowed to express himself artistically. Rohmann found it easier to pay attention, "if I had drawing materials in my hand." (Reading Rockets) A few of his early teacher's recognized that art was Rohmann's main means of communication and expression, and they fostered this talent by allowing him to draw as they read out loud to the class, or during history lectures. College professors continued to allow Rohmann to utilize his artistic abilities-for example, some professors allowed him to add illustrations to parts of his English papers. Reflecting on his teachers and professors, Rohmann expressed gratitude for their guidance and acceptance. "I was lucky; every level I had one or two teachers who kind of winked at me and said...just keep up what you're doing." (Reading Rockets)

Given his devotion to telling stories through art and his love of children, it may come as a surprise that Rohmann's decision to write and illustrate children's books was years in the making. Although he was already a talented and committed artist as a high school student, he did not consider becoming an illustrator, nor did any of his mentors lead him in that direction. In fact, his high school counselor suggested he consider seeking employment in "ship-fitting or something in a lumber yard." (Random House) Following high school and college, Eric Rohmann worked as a summer school teacher, zoo keeper, and waiter. It was not until he was unemployed and had extra time that he began work on his first book, Time Flies. Despite the time it took to discover his passion for children's literature, Eric Rohmann remains grateful for the wide array of experiences, which he feels influenced his work and added to his books. For example, the time he spent observing animals while working at the zoo greatly enhanced his ability to create pictures of animals. Eric Rohmann is glad he developed this ability because he prefers drawing animals over humans, and in his opinion, "hippos are funnier than a picture of my brother." (Reading Rockets)

Having written and illustrated several books, Eric Rohmann has established an effective routine for his work. The first challenge is finding inspiration, which, according to Eric Rohmann, can be found almost anywhere. Eric Rohmann has learned that any experience has the potential to inspire a new picture book. From this discovery, he developed a personal formula: "Experiences + reaction to those experiences = ideas." (Random House) For example, his first book, Time Flies, was inspired by the afternoons he spent at the Field Museum in Chicago, staring at the dinosaur skeletons. As a boy, he would watch the dinosaur bones for hours, hoping they would move. Unfortunately, the skeletons remained still, which is why Eric Rohmann decided to make them move in his book.

Once Eric Rohmann finds inspiration, he expands on it by creating a few rough pencil sketches. "It all starts for me with single images. I'll be doodling...some words will come up and then I'll make more images." (Reading Rockets) After Eric Rohmann identifies a few favorite images, he asks himself key questions about these images, in hopes of creating a unique character, or even beginning to develop a storyline. Following this exact process led Eric Rohmann to create and expand upon the original sketch that led to his Caldecott winning book My Friend Rabbit. "I made a doodle of a rabbit holding a paper airplane. Then I asked myself...simple questions, what would a rabbit do with a paper airplane? Well throw it, probably." (Reading Rockets) Through asking questions and probing details, the simple ideas and images that begin as doodles quickly build into complicated stories.

Rohmann's preferred medium is oil paints, so once he is satisfied with his pencil sketches, he begins to explore with paint. This development is just as blind as the original doodling process. Rohmann's belief is that he doesn't "create paintings as much as recognize them when I bump into them." (Reading Rockets) Sometimes, it takes him a great deal of time to "bump" into his paintings: "I wipe away about as much paint as I apply." (Random House) This emphasis on exploration and revision keeps Rohmann from settling for anything less than his best. He feels that his "trial-and-error process" is necessary in order to keep his artwork fresh and original.

Although Eric Rohmann primarily uses oil paints, he enjoys working with other forms of media as well. While he was in the beginning stages of the book My Friend Rabbit, Rohmann experimented with a variety of artistic media and techniques, including "linocuts, woodcuts, scratchboard, gouache, collage, 3-dimensional paper sculptures, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink." (Reading Rockets) Ultimately, when illustrating, Eric Rohmann chooses the medium that best fits the story. For My Friend Rabbit, this meant using relief prints, because he felt that the bold watercolors and thick lines created through this technique were the best fit for the story.

Eric Rohmann has been blessed with many talents that allow him to create some of the finest children's books available: artistic talent, a knack for storytelling, and the ability to draw inspiration from his many experiences. But the most important quality Eric Rohmann brings to the drawing board is his love of children. Eric Rohmann admires children for their enthusiasm, generosity and joyful spirits, among other qualities. He considers himself privledged to write and illustrate books for children, and better yet, receive their enthusiastic feedback. The joy and wonder expressed by his readers provides him with a constant reminder that, "every day is a great invention." (Rohmann)