Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Carson Ellis Episode Summary

Release Date: October 21, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Design Matters with Debbie Millman, host Debbie Millman engages in an in-depth conversation with Carson Ellis, a renowned illustrator and picture book author. The discussion delves into Carson's artistic journey, her creative processes, and her latest work, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the life of one of the most influential figures in contemporary illustration.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Growing Up in Diverse Environments

Carson Ellis was born in Vancouver to parents who led a transient lifestyle, living in a van outfitted with a wood stove before settling in a rented carriage house of a once-grand Vanderbilt estate in Mount Kisco, Westchester. This rural upbringing, surrounded by expansive woodlands and pasture, fostered her love for the outdoors and ignited her passion for drawing and exploring nature.

Carson Ellis [07:49]: "I led kind of a wild childhood, or wild as in very outdoors childhood. And I did a lot of drawing and a lot of exploring in the woods and stuff."

Early Fascination with Illustration

From a young age, Carson was immersed in the world of illustration, creating comics featuring whimsical themes like cats, leg warmers, and fantastical stories about a girl receiving a horse for her tenth birthday. Her fascination was partly inspired by the untamed horse across the street, which became a central motif in her early creative endeavors.

Carson Ellis [08:42]: "I was a horse kid who was desperately wanting to have a horse as a kid. And so I wrote stories about it and drew comics about it and stuff."

Educational Journey and Artistic Struggles

High School Challenges

Carson's high school years were marked by a sense of not fitting into the conventional academic and social structures of her conservative environment in Westchester County. She struggled with low grades and attended a specialized art class that felt restrictive and unaligned with her personal artistic interests.

Carson Ellis [12:07]: "I was just an unhappy teenager... I didn't quite feel like I fit in."

College at the University of Montana

Despite her academic struggles, Carson was accepted into the University of Montana, drawn by its natural beauty and the opportunity to start anew. There, she pursued a degree in fine arts with aspirations of becoming an illustrator, albeit without a formal illustration program to guide her.

Carson Ellis [16:01]: "I could just sort of be the person that I felt like I truly was."

Career Development and Key Collaborations

Move to Portland and Early Career

After college, Carson's journey took her through Vermont, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, where she worked various jobs while continuously creating art. The high cost of living in San Francisco prompted her to move to Portland, Oregon, where she found a welcoming creative community.

Carson Ellis [23:38]: "It felt so easy, so much easier. So I just moved there."

Meeting Colin Malloy

In Portland, Carson met Colin Malloy, a musician who would become her husband and creative partner. Their collaboration began with designing promotional materials for Colin's band, the Decembrists, marking the beginning of a long-lasting personal and professional relationship.

Carson Ellis [21:25]: "We were very fast and close friends and remained fast and close friends for a lot of years."

Entering the World of Children's Books

Carson's entry into illustrating children’s books was facilitated by her growing portfolio of editorial work and collaborations with local publications like the Willamette Week. Her first book illustration commission was Trent Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society, followed by collaborations with authors such as Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket).

Carson Ellis [35:23]: "I think we all kind of did our separate jobs, which is typically the way things go with illustrating picture books."

Transition to Authoring Own Works

First Authored Book: Home

After years of illustrating for others, Carson ventured into writing and illustrating her own book, Home, released in 2015. The book emerged from her desire to create a narrative-driven work that combined her love for drawing with a poetic exploration of what "home" means.

Carson Ellis [37:09]: "I do think of it as a pretty stoic account of that week. And so it felt like it was just felt like a thing that would serve from illustration."

Innovative Storytelling in Do is Talk

In 2016, Carson released Do is Talk, a unique picture book written entirely in an invented language. Inspired by the claymation show Pingu, she sought to create a book where the dialogue would be nonsensical, allowing the illustrations to carry the story's emotional weight.

Carson Ellis [43:16]: "The dialogue is all in an invented language... I was really conscientious about creating a language and using it contextually."

First Adult Book: One Week in January, New Paintings for an Old Diary

Carson’s latest project, One Week in January, represents her first foray into adult literature. The book juxtaposes a meticulous week-long journal from 2001 with a series of new paintings, capturing the emotional landscape of her life during a pivotal move to Portland.

Debbie Millman [53:51]: "There's so much emotion because of the things that you do that give a sense of there being deep emotionality in it."

Creative Process and Artistic Philosophy

Balancing Text and Illustration

Carson emphasizes the importance of illustrations in storytelling, often allowing the art to convey emotions and narratives that the text does not explicitly state. Her approach seeks to engage readers' imaginations, encouraging them to interact with the book on multiple levels.

Carson Ellis [30:03]: "Making books for tiny people who are going to interact with art and literature for the first time is like a honor and a privilege."

Incorporating 'Easter Eggs'

Her books are known for their intricate details and hidden elements, referred to as "Easter eggs," which invite readers to explore and discover new aspects with each reading. This technique enhances the interactive experience, making the books enduring favorites for repeated readings.

Carson Ellis [41:46]: "I do tend to kind of chock them full of Easter eggs or things to search for."

Resistance to Traditional Narrative

Carson admits a natural resistance to conventional narrative storytelling, preferring to let illustrations drive the story and evoke emotions without explicit narratives. This approach allows her to explore storytelling in a non-linear and more visually driven manner.

Carson Ellis [42:50]: "I really don't like... I'm kind of like freeze faced with the challenge of making up a story."

Discussion on One Week in January

Revisiting a Personal Diary

One Week in January is centered around a journal Carson kept during her first week after moving to Portland in 2001. Rediscovering this journal years later, she transformed the detailed, almost mundane entries into a rich tapestry of illustrations that reflect both her personal growth and the broader cultural shifts of the digital age.

Carson Ellis [55:05]: "It's kind of like my email was novel, the Internet was novel, and I had no sense of how profound this shift was."

Emotional Underpinnings Through Art

Although the journal entries are factual and straightforward, Carson uses her paintings to infuse the narrative with emotional depth, allowing readers to perceive the underlying feelings of loneliness, aspiration, and transformation without explicit textual descriptions.

Debbie Millman [53:10]: "There's so much emotion... because of the things that you do that give a sense of there being deep emotionality in it."

Integration of Multimedia Elements

To enhance the storytelling, Carson collaborated with her friend Nathan to include a video that complements the book's narrative. This multimedia approach provides a cinematic dimension to the book, blending visual art with moving images to create a more immersive experience.

Carson Ellis [61:32]: "It was so strange. It was very, very moving. I definitely cried."

Concluding Insights and Reflections

Legacy and Influence

Carson Ellis's work has significantly impacted the field of children's literature and illustration. Her ability to blend storytelling with intricate artwork has set a standard for contemporary picture books, inspiring both young readers and aspiring artists.

Carson Ellis [33:10]: "Books are really powerful for all of us, but I think especially for kids, they just live in them in a way that we don't really remember how to do as adults."

Personal Growth Through Art

Throughout the conversation, Carson reflects on her personal growth as an artist and individual. From her solitary childhood to her collaborative adulthood, she showcases how her experiences have shaped her creative expressions and artistic philosophies.

Carson Ellis [59:24]: "They feel like they're the same person, but they also feel really, really different."

Final Thoughts

Debbie Millman and Carson Ellis conclude the episode by expressing mutual appreciation for the conversation and Carson's contributions to the art world. Carson's latest work, One Week in January, stands as a testament to her ability to intertwine personal history with universal themes through compelling artwork and innovative storytelling.

Debbie Millman [68:29]: "Thank you for this gorgeous, gorgeous book. One week in January. New paintings for an old diary."

Additional Information

Listeners interested in exploring Carson Ellis's work further can visit her website at carsonelis.com.

This episode of Design Matters offers a profound exploration of Carson Ellis's artistic journey, highlighting her unique approach to illustration and storytelling. Through rich dialogue and insightful reflections, Debbie Millman and Carson Ellis provide listeners with an engaging narrative that underscores the transformative power of art in shaping one's life and career.