Exhibiting Author Gail Piazza Talks Inspiration

by Gail Piazza

After my children were born, I took the leap. I quit my job as a technical illustrator, to pursue my dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator. My determination to succeed was fueled not only by my passion to create art for children’s books, but also for the freedom to stay home with my children while still earning an income.

It was soon after I had made this leap that I came across my muse. I had been working tirelessly to build my portfolio, when a little boy named Charles coyly waved at me from across the lunchroom at my daughter’s elementary school. There was just something about him that spoke to me. His unique features were beautiful, and his soul seemed to call to me from behind his sweet, angular eyes.

I decided that day to contact his mother to see if I could use him as a model for a book I was interested in re-illustrating for my portfolio. The story was about a young boy who lost his father, and I felt that the illustrations needed to portray deep emotions. I knew I could capture it with Charles.

A couple weeks later, on a sticky summer day, I pulled up to the home that Charles shared with his mother and two sisters. They welcomed me with open arms, and were excited to be part of my project. The images I captured of Charles and his sisters are, to this day, some of my favorites.

The images of Charles who is now 30 years old with a wife and son of his own continue to inspire me. In fact, when I’m seeking inspiration, I still pull out images from that day to work from.

All those years ago, I didn’t ‘know yet where my illustration career would take me. Now, my connection to Charles makes sense. I have, time and time again, sought to give voice to the voiceless through my work. Like many children who unfortunately can be stereotyped, overlooked and dismissed by society, drawing Charles gave me the opportunity to portray the beauty, innocence and humanity in his eyes.

In this way, I view my work as deeply political. Though I have only become aware of the overt political nature of my work recently, I know it has been there all along. Viewing my work requires that one truly see my subjects – as the complex, beautiful human beings they are. It is my hope that my images give my subjects a voice and allow them to truly be seen.

Recently, when I reached out to Charles to produce a piece of him as an adult, I learned he was incarcerated and would not be available for a photo shoot. I was heartbroken for Charles and his family but this news gave me a renewed sense of purpose, and gives my new work even more significance.

If my work gives you pause, makes you wonder what happens to these children as they grow, and what role we all play in protecting these vulnerable children, I know my work has been done.

It is with this same mission that I have taken on my newest project. As the proud mother of a gay son, I based my newest project off of his childhood. My daughter and I have created a children’s picture book titled “Buddy” with the goal of showing the beauty and innocence of children who don’t conform to customary gender norms. All children need to be celebrated, and it is our intention to portray that in this book. It is my hope that capturing the humanity in Buddy will allow more people to see every child as they would any beautiful innocent child.