Kim LaFave

Born on January 12, 1955 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Kim LaFave has had an interest in art since he was very young. The youngest of four children he started drawing to entertain himself when his siblings were at school. His family was supportive and encouraged his emerging artistic abilities. In school, he says, his books were completely covered in little drawings. Shy and self-conscious about having a slight stutter, LaFave found that his ability to draw carved out a niche for him amongst his peers. Drawing made him more active in school as others asked for his help and gave him a chance to put his talent to use.

Kim LaFave decided to become a professional artist "to avoid getting a real job." He decided not to go to university and instead attended Capilano College's art program for a year, later transferring to the Alberta College of Art. After he graduated in the summer of 1976 LaFave enrolled in an illustrators workshop in Tarrytown, New York. He claims to have learned as much in this six-week workshop, as he did during all his time at college. He calls the experience a humbling one.

He spent the few years working in a commercial studio as a staff artist. Which he looks back on as good training for someone just out of school. He now works as a freelance illustrator in both publishing and advertising.

LaFave's first work as an illustrator of children's books was done in oil paint for a maritime folk-tale called The Mare's Egg. This first venture into children's book illustration was an enjoyable one for LaFave, leaving him with the desire to work on other books. He is now best known for his work in watercolour and for his award-winning book Amos's Sweater.

LaFave says that he enjoys working with the authors to help understand how their feelings and ideas about the story connect with his own. While reading and re-reading the manuscript he brainstorms by doodling in its margins of the manuscript. He then begins rough sketches in his cluttered studio. As he works on the drawings the scenes begin to evolve and change. The first thing he looks for is expression in the characters and from there he builds the scene. Later he sorts out the colour scheme. Throughout this process he pays close attention to details, continuity and characters' connection to the text.

LaFave confesses a growing attachment to the characters as he works out the drawings and anxiously spends more time on them each day. He is unable to rush his work. For Kim LaFave illustrating a book is a long procedure. When he is stuck for ideas he likes to listen to the radio and garden. However, when he is inspired there seems to be no stopping his energetic work. He claims his work comes in short spurts of productivity followed by unproductive periods.

LaFave's affection for illustrating children's books is clear. He says when he was young, children's books inspired his drawing and now he works to inspire others. He advises children to be creative and to experiment with that creativity. LaFave advises children not to worry about perfection because what you "might think is a mistake at first turns out to be the very best part of a picture" (Writing Stories, Making Pictures, 181). He cites Amos's Sweater as his favorite book because of the enjoyable experience he had working with the author Janet Lunn, "I learned a lot from her and I never got bored of drawing Amos. He was such a great character." (Writing Stories, Making Pictures, 181)

Click here to view Kim's bibliography and a list of other awards he has won.

Click here to view a list of articles and links on Kim LaFave and Amos's Sweater

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