HPL: An Illustrator's Oasis

Janesville’s Ann Calverley experienced what she calls the “fulfillment of a wish” when in May the children’s book The Carpenter and the Cat, written by Kelly Nelson and illustrated by Ann, was published. “Getting to do my own art for a real book that’s published… 
My dream came true, and Hedberg Public Library helped it happen.”

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“Getting to do my own art for a real book that’s published… 
My dream came true, and Hedberg Public Library helped it happen.”

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Ann estimates that fully 80% of her illustrating work for the book was completed at HPL, even though she has studio space at home. “I just like working at the library and talking to the staff,” she says. “I am so grateful for our library and the wonderful staff.”

After retiring from her career as a K-6 art teacher in Illinois, Ann moved back to Janesville to help care for her father. Having a workspace outside of her home allowed her to focus more on her tasks, without the common distractions of home. “As I adjust to retirement, getting ready and packing up my supplies felt like I still had somewhere to go, a purpose,” Ann explains. “Being here [at HPL] filled a hole in my heart.” 

Ann, a Craig High School graduate, and Kelly met in college at UW-Stout. As roommates, the two daydreamed about doing a project together someday. “When we were babies in college we talked about how fun it would be to work on a book together,” Ann says. Kelly is also the author of Brownie the War Dog: Veterans’ Best Friend, illustrated by Aaron Boyd.

It was in December of 2023 when Kelly asked Ann to illustrate her next children’s book. “At first I thought, ‘What?! Really?!, but then I thought I needed to challenge myself,” Ann recalls. “I felt she was giving me a gift when she asked me. I feel like I’ve reconnected with something after years of teaching.” 

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“Hedberg became my sanctuary,” Ann shares. “The study rooms were a perfect place for me to focus on the research, planning, and sketching ideas for each page.”

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From the beginning of the illustration process, “Hedberg became my sanctuary,” Ann shares. “The study rooms were a perfect place for me to focus on the research, planning, and sketching ideas for each page.” Being around the books and talking with library staff helped with her research in the beginning as well, including acquainting Ann with how a children’s book is traditionally laid out.

With no previous illustration experience, Ann used her background as an educator to teach herself the skill with the help of online resources and tutorials from illustrators and artists. “I had to treat myself like one of my students,” she says, which included giving herself grace as she was learning. “Many days I didn’t know what I was doing!”

Kelly provided Ann with a draft of the book and a layout of how she envisioned the final book. From there, Ann planned out the accompanying illustrations in several iterations. The entire creation process, from pencil sketches to colored pencils to watercolors, was very collaborative, Ann says, with she and Kelly meeting weekly over Zoom to discuss the project and review the progress illustration by illustration. “I told her ‘You can fire me at any time,’” quips Ann. “It was nice that I could check in with Kelly.”

Her creative process at the library often started with a stop at The Ground Floor for a cup of tea and a quick chat with the volunteer or store manager Heather Hoyt. Heading upstairs to work, Ann says she was particularly fond of study rooms 5 and 3, where she’d spread her supplies across the table. In addition to helpful HPL employees and productive workspace the library provided, Ann credits “Lars” for providing additional inspiration. Not an official staff member, “Lars” is the name Ann gave to the rail worker depicted in a portrait in study room 3. “He was my ‘You can do it!’ motivation,” she explains. “When I was staring at a blank page, I’d look up at him and think, ‘If he can build a railroad, I can draw a picture.’” 

The Carpenter and the Cat is a “true Wisconsin story about kindness and perseverance,” Ann says. The children’s book tells the tale of Ron, a retired carpenter, who finds an abandoned kitten, Almond, in a tree in his yard. For an entire year, Ron climbed the tree to deliver food and water to the feline, eventually earning its trust. As part of the research process, Ann had the opportunity to meet Ron and his family at his home in Belleville, WI. While the original tree was no longer standing, the visit offered Ann an important perspective for her illustrations.

Ann is already in the beginning stages of her next collaboration with Kelly and has a fresh sketchbook ready to be filled. Both author and illustrator are planning to attend HPL Book Fest on June 21 where they will also have the book available for purchase during the Author Fair.