I like people. Humanity. My family is a part of my work. They contribute throughout the process with critiques, advice, opinions, etc.

My advice to writers is: READ! A lot. Then read some more. read, read, read, read!

My "mission", if you can call it that, is to connect with my readers on an emotional level and have them come away with a stronger impression of the basic message in the story I am illustrating.

I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about your books than you do!

My method is subtraction. I use erasers to make the images in my paintings. You really have to see it to fully get it, but it is basically erasing shapes from a background of paint.

The approach to "building" a story with words and phrases is no different than "building" a painting with brushes and pigments.

Research is always a very necessary part of my process because all of my books to this point have been historical. Time spent in the library adds to one's wealth as a writer or artist.

I will always be an artist first. I see my writing as an extension of my illustrating.

Women's value has been under-recognized for far too long.

There are more useful systems developed in languages deemed awful than in languages praised for being beautiful - many more.

Looking at my life, it's very clear to me, I lived so selfishly.

It's not the place, I think. It's the people. We'd have all been the same anywhere else.

Anyone who does not know how to make the most of his luck has no right to complain if it passes by him.

A nice, easy place for freedom of speech to be eroded is comics, because comics are a natural target whenever an election comes up.

Aye, wumman, if it's truly romantic, then it must be Scottish.

Writing is an incredibly lonely job.

I'm working on a second cookbook and am working on my love story, 'Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.

We should view our government the way we should a friendly, cuddly lion. Just because he's friendly and cuddly shouldn't blind us to the fact that he's still got teeth and claws.