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Christopher Canyon
What is your connection to Ohio?
I was born, raised and continue to live here in our great state of Ohio. I was born in Newark, Ohio in 1966. My family and I lived in Newark until the Summer between my 2nd and 3rd grade year of elementary school. My family moved to a farm in northern Licking County(fortunately they took me with them too). We lived on the farm until I went to high school which is when we moved to St. Louisville, Ohio(a very small village also in northern Licking Co.). I graduated from Utica High School in 1984 and then moved to Columbus where I attended the Columbus College of Art & Design for 4 years. I met my wife Jeanette(also from Ohio) in art school and she is also an artist and the art teacher for the Program for Young Children at the Columbus School for Girls. Nearly all of our relatives live in Ohio and my wife and I (along with our 2 black cats) reside in our home in historic German Village in Columbus, Ohio.
What inspired you to become an author or illustrator?
Ever since I was a little boy I've always loved drawing, stories, music and books. There are many kinds of artists in the World but creating books seemed like a great way to explore all of these loves of mine. Creating children's books is a wonderful, creative and positive way for me to share what I have to offer as an artist, writer and composer.
What advice do you have for a young author or illustrator?
My advice to anyone who loves the arts(music, writing, visual arts, drama, dance, etc..) is to celebrate your creativity, use it and work hard everyday! Most people assume that in order to be an artist one has to be naturally talented and gifted in the arts to succeed. Some people are naturally talented but even if you are not--you should NEVER GIVE UP on the things that you love or the dreams that you have. When I was growing up I loved drawing and music more than anything--but I WASN'T naturally talented in these things. With a deep drive and interest, a willingness to work hard and the support of my family, friends and teachers I was able to pursue my love of art. The work that I do today is really the result of a lifetime of dedication towards learning and exploring the creative processes of art. Today when people experience what I do, most people assume that art was something in which that I have always been naturally talented. That just isn't true in my case. When I was growing up I was surrounded by friends who were much more successful in the arts than I was. It's important to not let these kinds of experiences frustrate or intimidate you. The most important things are not to give up, stay focused (and critical of yourself), work hard, practice your skills--- and most of all HAVE FUN and CELEBRATE YOUR CREATIVITY EVERYDAY!!!--it really is a wonderful and powerful gift that all of us share!
What do you like to do for fun?
Here is a list of what I like to do for fun (it is not in any particular order):1)Drawing and painting.2)Writing stories, songs, letters to friends, etc.
3)Playing my guitar and singing songs with my family, friends and millions of screaming fans (just kidding on this last one..).
4)Visiting schools and libraries sharing and celebrating art with children, teachers and families.
5)Traveling--seeing and meeting different places and people.
6)Exploring--Nature, museums, zoos, cultures, etc..
7)Visiting with family and friends.
8)Riding bikes and in-line skating.
9)Movies
10)Playing!
Some of your most popular books are:
- The ever-living tree : the life and times of a coast redwood (1994)
- The tree in the ancient forest (1995)
- Grand Canyon : a trail through time (1997)
- Did you hear wind sing your name? : an Oneida song of spring (1995)
- Earth & me, our family tree : nature's creatures (2002)
- Earth & you, a closer view : nature's features : the first three books celebrating the human connection with nature's features, nature's creatures, and nature's past and future (2001)
- Stickeen : John Muir and the brave little dog (1998)
- Wonderful nature, wonderful you (1996)
- Earth & us continuous : nature's past & future : one of three books celebrating the human connection with nature's features, nature's creatures, and nature's past and future (2001)
Links:
Christopher Canyon: from the Morley LibraryChristopher Canyon expects to have his personal web site ready by late summer 2002.
