Getting to Know the Locals: Renée Graef

I have known of and looked up to Renée Graef since I was a child as I grew up a fan of the American Girl and Little House on the Prairie books. Her work is wonderfully soft and full of stories. In Renée’s work there is an incredible attention to detail and small elements that make the characters and scenes feel like they are real.

Q: Please give a short description of yourself and your work.

A: I’ve illustrated over 80 children’s books including the “Kirsten” series in the American Girl historical girl collection and many of the My First Little House picture books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was a creative director for the Little House program for HarperCollins for five years. I work in a variety of styles including pen and ink, airbrush, acrylic, oil painting, mixed media and digital work. My work is usually described as warm, charming and inviting. There are no scary monsters in my portfolio (the last time I checked…).

Q: What first piqued your interest in art?

A: Coloring in coloring books and drawing in school. I recently found a note from my 2nd grade teacher in my report card stating that my “artistic endeavors” were getting in the way of my studies.

Q: What inspires your art?

A: Other artist’s work: NC Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, Carl Larsson and such. The traditional classics.

Q: Whose work do you follow?

A: I am following current artists by listening to interviews and tutorials. I like listening to One Fantastic Week (fantasy artists), Bobby Chui and Will Terry on YouTube. I also subscribe to the Society of Visual Storytellers (svs.learn.com) It’s full of great information.

Q: What are you working on now?

A: I have 3 books due this year. The one I’m working on now is about dog, a boat and lighthouses for the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. The other two books are about a traveling fox named Lulu, who won an international competition (the One to Watch award) at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas last May. “Lulu’s Milwaukee” (tentative title) will be the first Lulu book followed by more city books. The author is Barbara Joosse (Wisconsin native).

Q: What work of yours are you most proud of?

A: One of my favorites would be “My Favorite Things” (lyrics from the Sound of Music movie) since my children modeled for the book when they were young. I loved illustrating “B is for Badger: a Wisconsin Alphabet” book. And it was so fun to illustrate an historical fiction picture book for the Getty Museum in LA recently.

Q: Do you have a favorite knick-knack in your studio?

A: My 1920’s Canadian Mountie.

Q: Where can your work be found?

A: Bookstores, Libraries and Amazon.

I post about 4-5 weekdays each week on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/reneeillustration
Instagram: @reneegraef

Also, I have an Imaginary Friend.
He can be found at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/travelswithmyfriend
Instagram: @travelswithmyfriend

Website: www.reneegraef.com

I plan on doing pop-up events around Milwaukee and Madison. Follow me on social media or sign up for my newsletter. Hope to see you around!

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

A: If you are an artist, make sure to balance out the art part with going out and showing your work. Create a look that is very “you”. Share it on social media and your website. And hang out with creative people. They tend to be rather fun… 😉

I am so happy and honored that I was able to interview one of my childhood illustrative heroes and can’t wait to see what Renée does next. See you in the next interview!

Stephanie Marie Steinhauer