| Frank Ordaz | Interview, November 2005 |
Josie's Gift by Kathleen Bostrom Frank Ordaz, Illustrator This Christmas will be the most difficult one for Josie, her mother and little brother, Bobby Joe. It is the first holiday for this depression era family since the death of their father and husband. He had always taught this simple family that "Christmas is not about what we want. It's about what we have." But this Christmas, all Josie could think about is what she had lost. Trying to fill the emptiness, Josie begs her mother for a new blue sweater she has been admiring in the store window for weeks. She knows that they can't afford it, but she wants desperately to know joy again. But in the form of three visitors and a surprise sacrificial gift on Christmas morning, Josie finds the joy she is seeking in the true meaning of Christmas.
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ETC: You chose art as a career early on in life – what inspired you at such a young age?
Ordaz: ETC: Early in your career you worked on some amazing films like E.T. and Return of the Jedi . What did you learn from those experiences, and how have they impacted your artwork in children’s books? Ordaz: I joined ILM about a year after graduating Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Even though I found work painting movie posters, illustrating for large corporations I had absolutely no discipline to run a business. Working at ILM gave me a structure. I was painting every day and required to perform at a high level. I was also surrounded by others of amazing talent and my horizons of what was possible was dramatically expanded. I also had to learn to work creatively with others and solve design problems specific to special effects. I also learned from George Lucas the importance of production value. How an opening shot sets the “MOOD” of the movie. An appreciation for the opening shot has really helped me with book covers. Also, when I plot out each page, I am thinking in terms of a movie. My goal is to have the reader emotionally understand the story if there were never any words attached. In film, we story boarded the movie...in laying out a book I do the same thing. Also, the characters are key in involving the reader to the story line. Therefore the choice of my models are really important. ETC: Your latest book, Josie’s Gift, is set during the Depression, and you were able to capture that time beautifully – every detail from the clothing to the setting. How did you accomplish that? Ordaz: I do a lot of research. I used Sears catalogs for that time and used old photographs taken of buildings etc. during the depression. Here in Auburn Ca. we have Cruise night during the summer months and Iwas able to photograph classic cars of that period. I also have a neighbor who has a costume shop and her advise was immeasurable. Also important was music to put me in the right mood...kind of like having soundtrack music to go along with the movie. I discovered the “Carter Family” and their hillbilly music really gave me the flavor of West Virginia. I recommend “ I’m chewing gum”...if you want to drive your wife crazy! ETC: How do you find models for your work? And can you tell us who modeled for Josie? Ordaz: Josie is a neighbor of mine and the rest of the cast are people I know. I also spread the word around that I am looking for a certain type of character and friends let me know if they have spotted someone who fits my bill. ETC: What’s the next project on your “to do” list? Ordaz: My next project is illustrating a picture book “The Star Spangled Banner “ through the Smithsonian. It’s due out in late 2006. |
My family moved from East Los Angeles to Monterey Park when I was 7. It was the city next door. I remember having a neighbor Mr. Woron who was an art hobbyist. He dabbled in painting, sculpture, pottery etc. When I saw his living room decorated with art, something profound and powerful stirred in my heart. I knew that I was meant to be an artist. I devoured anything related to art and painting, as pictures told a story and that really impressed me. I remember drawing all the time on anything I could find. By the time I was 10 I had become the youngest member of the San Gabriel Art Association.