Tag Archives: tour

Studio Snapshots: Mariana Ruiz Johnson

Posted on by

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet Rodrigo Morlesin and preview his fantastic new book Luna Ranchera. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL…full of color, life, emotion, and charm. And when Rodrigo pointed out the cameo appearance of himself and the book’s illustrator Mariana Ruiz Johnson? I just knew we needed to feature her on Studio Snapshots!

Also I wonder…who is that handsome bird in a hat at their table? That might have to remain a forever mystery. And now, let’s join Mariana as she takes us around her studio in Buenos Aires!

I’m an Argentinian illustrator and author, and I’m interested in exploring picture books of all kinds, from baby books to graphic novels. I have won some international contests such as the Compostela Illustrated Album Award, and the Silent Book Contest. I have published books on every continent, and my latest release in the United States is Luna Ranchera, written by Rodrigo Morlesin and published by Minerva.

My studio is a small room at the back of my house, in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. To get to it, you have to cross a patio that we filled with plants.

There is a split glass window with blue and orange borders, which is what I like the most about that space, because it lets in the light and looks right at a monstera with impressively large leaves.

It is a very small space in which there is a desk with the computer, and the wacom cintiq. I have everything within reach, in drawers and shelves. I also posted some of my own drawings and those of my friends, which inspire me and make me feel accompanied.

When I have to do analog processes, I move everything to the side and spread out the paper and art materials.

Sometimes my black cat, Cuca, accompanies me.

Since I have small children and I like to change places to work, sometimes I move around the house and take “my studio” to different spaces. I like to share my materials and the creative process with them, so we often draw together, at the kitchen table or at a table in the patio. In that sense, it is common to see brushes and pencils in the kitchen, sketchbooks on the coffee table, Indian ink in the room where I sleep.

Images courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Johnson

Ivy Dogs

Posted on by

Peter Putnam ’42 *50 and his guide dog Wick at Commencement, 1950. Historical Photograph Collection

Campus canines abound! Blog readers in the New Jersey area should definitely check out the Princeton 275 exhibit at the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Curated by April C. Armstrong, Rosalba Varallo Recchia, and Iliyah Coles, the exhibit’s selections showcase Princeton University’s growth and transformation from its first charter in 1746 to today. It’s fascinating and thoughtful, touching on topics such as racial integration, coeducation, and inclusion. The Mudd Library exhibit is open to the public and free of charge.

What caught our eye at the exhibit was the image you see above. That’s Peter Putnum, Princeton undergraduate class of 1942 and Wick, his amazing guide dog. Putnam lost his sight between his sophomore and junior years, and, despite worries that the University would be able to accommodate him, graduated with high honors in modern languages. Putnum continued on to earn a Ph.D. in history and had a long career as a writer and activist.

You can read more stories behind the Princeton 275 exhibit here, but Wick got me and Katie thinking about other famous dogs on campus. We found some interesting connections, starting with the secret bulldog on the University Chapel!

Legend has it that the bulldog (the mascot of Princeton’s rival Yale) was sneakily added to the drainpipe by the Chapel architect, Ralph Adams Cram. The myth has since been debunked, as Cram did not attend Yale. But who knows? SOMEONE placed the bulldog on the drainpipe in Princeton tiger territory.

Another pair of famous canines are Bo and Sunny Obama. Though technically they never came to campus – former First Lady Michelle Obama was a Princeton student in the 1980s – we like to think they would have enjoyed being with her! Below is a White House holiday card sent to Princeton faculty member Toni Morrison, personally signed by the Presidential family (and the doggies!).

The Toni Morrison Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

We started with Wick, and we wanted to finish the post with another famous campus service dog currently on active duty. Meet Sgt. Alvan Flanders and Coach, two beloved members of Princeton University’s Department of Public Safety team.

Photo by Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Coach is not a police canine in that she does not sniff for drugs or explosives. She was trained by Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that works with prison inmates to prepare dogs for community caretaking roles. Coach and Sgt. Flanders bring support, joy, comfort, and smiles to countless students.

Photo courtesy of Anne Kuehl

If you would like to see more historical images of dogs on campus from the Princeton University Archives (including Princeton’s capture of the Yale bulldog – perhaps in revenge for the drain pipe?) you will find the gallery here.

Many thanks to April Armstrong for the personal tour of the Princeton 275 exhibit, which runs through October 30th, 2022

Studio Snapshots: Steve Light

Posted on by

In a very small studio in NYC, a magician creates vast worlds. Welcome to the studio of Steve Light, award-winning author and illustrator of numerous books, including Have You Seen My Dragon, SWAP!, Up Cat Down Cat, and blog favorite Zephyr Takes Flight (see the awesome project we did for it here!). Steve’s newest book is Road Trip: A Whiskers Hollow Adventure, but he’s hard at work on The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which is set to be released by Candlewick Press. Steve is often joined by studio assistant Madie the Cat.

So, I live in Manhattan where space is limited. I live in a studio apartment with my wife and cat. My studio is in an alcove off the living room, my workshop with my tools is in a walk-in closet off the alcove. To get to my studio you walk “through” our bookcase! It’s like entering the world of books.

My studio has to be very well organized to be functional. As my friend Barbara McClintock said, “It is like a pilot’s cockpit, everything is within reach at any time!” It is small but very efficient. I have created 20 books in this space.

I have all my pens, inks, and materials in the assorted cabinets. My whole desk is a light table, this allows me to see my pencil drawings under my paper when inking the final illustrations. I also have an iPod to listen to music, not my phone so I’m not tempted to look at emails or other stuff. I usually wake up at 4am and make coffee and sit right down to work. Since my workspace is steps from my bed, I can keep that half awake relaxed mindset and set right to work. It is very peaceful.

In the closet off the studio, I have all my tools. I love to make things out of wood and that’s what this space is for. I have a scroll saw, drill press, sander and many hand tools. I make sculptures, models, toys, and puppets!

I love living in New York City and love creating in my little space. I spend a lot of time sketching in museums and coffee shops. The city is endlessly inspirational to me.

Images courtesy of Steve Light