Darcy Melton, artist for “A Children’s Book of Necromancy” has taken a moment from her very busy schedule to speak with us about herself and this very interesting book coming soon from Open Heart Publishing.

So without much fanfare, take it away Darcy.

Darcy, Art has been called a metaphor for life in so many different ways. How do you feel this is relevant to your own craft?

I feel that it is relevant in that art is a creative process, and within all of us is the power to create the lives that we want to live. I strive to learn from my life to create art, and to learn from my art to constantly create my ideal life.

When creating art, do you have a prefered medium?

That seems to change from time to time. I like many mediums and seeing how they cross into each other. For example, how I am working in a traditional medium will begin to influence how I create images on the computer and vice versa. I enjoy this process because it contributes to the evolution of my work. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in painting and printmaking, at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and feel like this background is constantly showing up in my digital work.

Well that sounds like you have a very strong artistic background. From what I understand “A Children’s Book of Necromancy” is going to be a coloring book. I imagine that creating a coloring book has been a very interesting challenge. What can you share with us about the process?

It has been quite nice, actually. Sometimes when I am creating an illustration, I get overly excited about how color is going to be used and have to restrain myself from skipping over some critical steps. Focusing primarily on the line work for something that purposely has no color has given me the experience of fine tuning the line work and appreciating that part of the drawing process even more.

What other areas of the arts do you explore?

Outside of the visual arts, I haven’t explored very much. I am interested in learning how to play the piano and even took some courses while I was in college. I am planning on picking up a keyboard so that I can begin to learn for fun.

Do you believe in magic?

Ah! That is a fun question. Yes, I do. I think that I want to believe more than I do, actually. When I think of magic, I think of childhood and how free and open children are to possibilities. I would love to continually exist in that space. I truly believe in the magic of the imagination.

Debrin has kept such a tight lip about this project that I don’t know what to think about it, and neither does a great deal of our audience. The only thing i know for sure about this project is that it’s a children’s book that isn’t intended for children. How did you get involved with it?

I met this crazy redheaded man at Borders and he conned me into it. I had no choice. He was a bit shady, and I didn’t want to cross him.

Just kidding! Actually, I heard from a friend that this nice guy, Debrin, was looking for an illustrator to create images for a story that he had written. She told me the title of it and I thought, “That sounds weird… I think it might be fun!” So, contact information was exchanged and I met Debrin at Borders (that part was true) and he told me about his story and I was impressed about how passionate he was about it and felt that it was something I would like to participate in. That is actually something that I look for in a project. I love to work with people who believe in what they are creating and teaming with them to succeed.

I almost believed you, until you stated that Debrin is a nice guy… anyways, I hear you have a couple of furry children. Cats, if I understand it correctly. Please, tell us more about them.

I have two beautiful, brown tabbies. Prailey is my oldest. I rescued her from the pound. Her name started out as “Praline”, but she was constantly getting into things. Yelling “Prailey!!!” was easier. than “Praline”, so it stuck. My youngest is Fizgig (yes, the name comes from “The Dark Crystal”) and he was the runt of a stray cat that was found in an alley by a friend of mine. He is about 8 lbs., and is 3 years old. He has a really cute personality. If he were human, he would wear knickers and a little cap. If you have seen the movie “Oliver” you will know what I mean.

Cats can be such fickle creatures, Have you ever felt like they have held you in contempt?

My cats? Never! They love me unconditionally. Prailey might sometimes… only because she hates it when I sing. The quickest way to get her to jump into my lap is to sing to her at the top of my lungs. I am guilty of using that at times.

I am so grateful you have finally gotten around to doing this interview Darcy, you seem to be a very busy lady. What other projects are you currently working on?

I work on several projects at a time. Some of my current projects involve logo designs, portraiture, and illustrations for online avatars, mural designs and papercuts. I enjoy creating logos because it is a fun illustrative challenge and results in a product that supports someone else’s dream. I love drawing people and usually create them on paper with grease pencil, colored pencil, or in digital format. I also create online avatars for children and adults (shameless plug here: www.meldy.com), but especially children because they get to imagine who they want to be and I get to bring that to life for them. One of my short-term goals is to also take those illustrations and use them as the subjects of murals for children’s rooms. Or for adults for that matter, my own room is a testament to that. I also love decorative paper and am constantly finding reasons to create with it.

Darcy, who or what has inspired you as an artist?

As an artist, everything and everyone inspires me in some way. I didn’t always see things like that, and it was very hard to create anything. Through experience I have come to realize that what I produce is influenced from what I observe, experience and learn about my world and the people in it. I have to credit my parents for supporting my dream of becoming an artist, something that I proclaimed at age 5. Growing up, I was inspired by children’s book illustrators such as Brian Froud, Jan Brett and Mike Wimmer. In college I loved the work of Toulouse-Lautrec. In the last few years I have added Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman to my list. Currently I still admire and am influenced by the heroes I have collected, but am also inspired and influenced by the smaller, seemingly insignificant things in everyday life. I suppose that is where the magic lies.

So what is the meaning of life, the universe and everything?

42?
*grin*
I haven’t read “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” yet, but hear that it is as simple as that. This might sound cheesy, but from my experiences I believe that the meaning of life is to learn how to love yourself and others. Ultimately, I feel that my purpose is to inspire others. I spent much of my life being inspired, and it feels only natural to give that back.

So what else can you share with us about this amazing children’s book that is not recommended for Children?

Only that you should buy it. IT’S GREAT!

Darcy Melton is an illustrator and graphic designer currently residing in Dallas, TX. Having completed her B.F.A. in painting and printmaking at the University of Science and Arts in Oklahoma she has continued to expand herself and her skills of self expression, discovery, and mastery.
Check out her amazing work at www.meldy.com, or keep up to date with her latest quips, drawings and inspirational messages at http://meldyd.blogspot.com.