Q: Originally from Burgundy, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in Paris?

A: I grew up among the cows, the changing seasons and good wine. I came to Paris to study graphic arts and it was love at first sight because I love the rain in Paris, the Magritte sky, café terraces, walks along the Seine and so on.

Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between the art you create on paper versus in the computer?

A: I do not have a sketchbook because I don’t like the constraint of the pre-determined format. I prefer to work on loose sheets of paper, large or small, which have often been used for other things (photocopies or pieces of envelopes for example). And accidents (stains, stamps, small scribbles made when speaking on the phone) sometimes prompt ideas as I begin to sketch. The computer is just for the last stage, to edit and finalize the images. 

Q: What is the most important item in your studio?

A: The light from the window near my drawing table.

Q: What do you like best about your workspace?

A: The beautiful green shade of paint for the walls and beautiful red (my favorite color) for the cupboards in my new workspace that I've just redesigned. Yes! For the first time I have a real work space for drawing, with a separate area for the computer.  And a large green plant with broad leaves that has been following me around for 20 years.
Do you think it needs improvement, if so, what would you change?

It would be nice to have a bigger space for large-scale paintings, maybe one day... 

Q: How do you know when the art is finished?

A: I like images with a strong idea that we can understand at a glance. It’s very important for me, so I know the image is finished when I stop wanting to add unnecessary detail and when my graphic image is as strong as the original idea.

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?

A: Nothing in particular, just a great memory of books by Jules Verne. 
What is the best book you’ve recently read? I like biographies, and the last one I read is about Winston Churchill. Amazing and funny. I even took notes. 

Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?

A: Pencil and paper. Black-and-white drawing. That’s it!

Q: If you could time travel to any era, any place, where would you go?

A: The year 3000. I wonder how the world will be at this time.

Q: What is preoccupying you at the moment?

A: Promoting my two latest children’s books at book fairs, at school events, and signings in bookstores. The first is “T’es plus mon amoureux?”(You’re not my lover?) ...already in reprint, following the successful “Arrête de lire!”(Stop reading!) with 10,000 copies sold). And the second is "Phototoutou" (Photodog). And all of the assignments in progress (illustrations, posters, logo designs).

Q: What are some of your favorite places/books/blogs/websites for inspiration?

A: I’m very eclectic, and find inspiration in many places (sometimes I Google images when I’m rushing to complete an illustration assignment, for example). But it could be a movie, family photos, a picture in a magazine, the light with my morning coffee, and so on...

Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art? 

A: Magritte and Surrealism. Hopper for silence. Durer for amazing drawing. Vintage photos...

Q: What would be your last supper?

A: Chocolate cake, with a glass of champagne!

Sylvie Serprix is a French illustrator currently living in Paris. After graduating from School of Graphic Art (ESAG), she began freelancing with assignments that include documentary drawing, graphics websites, and 2D designs for video games. She regularly collaborates with Le Monde and Liberation on documentary assignments and also creates art for magazine and book covers, logos, posters, portraits, and children's books. Her children's books have received many awards including les Incos Prize 2014, City of Cherbourg Prize 2014, Ficelle Prize 2013 for Arrête de lire! (Stop reading !);Troyes Prize/Children's books 2015 forDe ce côté du monde (On this side of the world); Saint Exupery Prize 2012 for T'es plus mon amoureux ? (You're not my lover ?); Honorable Mention, The White Ravens, Bologna 2012 for Le roi sans terre (King without land). Blog: serprix.com

This just in from SPD: Richard Baker on Barak Obama | Portraits of a President, with illustrators Barry Blitt, Steve Brodner, Anita Kunz and Edel Rodriguea. Tuesday November 17th at the Helen Mills Theater, 137 West 26th Street,NY, NY. Tickets