Illustrator shows students how it's done

Getting published in the children’s book world has been a combination of hard work, passion and a fair amount of luck according to Montana native Ben Clanton.

The 23-year-old self-taught author and illustrator said the process of getting published is as tough as making it in Hollywood as an actor.

What better way to share the release of his first published book “Vote for Me!” than at Fair-Mont-Egan — the school where he attended third grade through eighth grade — with an introduction by his mother and school business clerk, Susan?

To the audience of fifth through eighth graders, Clanton was an example that the ending to the phrase “when I grow up I want to be...” can change.

“It’s something I didn’t expect to be doing,” Clanton said about his profession.

As a Flathead High School student, he took math and science courses in pursuit of a career as an astrophysicist. In college, he graduated with a degree in anthropology.

“I guess I’m still doing science work — constantly observing, hypothesizing and testing stories on kids,” Clanton said.

It was during his freshman year at college he worked in elementary schools and children’s museums that he rediscovered the fantastic world of children’s books and began to draw with the intention of getting published.

Clanton’s first break in the profession was illustrating “Jasper John Dooley: Star of the Week,” written by Caroline Adderson.

“I get to make jokes and draw all day I love it,” Clanton said.

“Vote for Me!” features what Clanton described as “the greatest rivalry of all,” the Democratic and Republican political party icons — donkey versus elephant.

Split by their party colors, blue on the left pages and red on the right pages, Clanton’s characters vie for the most votes through entertaining arguments, funny insults, promises, mud slinging and short-lived apologies.

Holding up two sketchbooks Clanton talked about how character and stories evolve.

“These guys are all over my studio,” Clanton said.

“Vote for Me” originated from a completely different book idea about a turkey called “Don’t Eat Me.” Clanton said a publisher liked it, but said it was too similar to another children’s book, so he returned to the drawing board.

“I thought about a turkey as a mayor and it progressed to this,” Clanton said pointing to “Vote for Me.”

The final versions of the characters in “Vote for Me!” were compilations of multiple sketches.

Clanton discussed how he used the physical framework of a book such as the gutter, or center, as a way his characters could express emotion.

“If either character crossed over [the gutter] it meant they were going to far,” Clanton said.

Fair-Mont-Egan seventh grader Caleb LeClercq was inspired by Clanton’s success.

“It is cool for someone who went to school here, went so far in his profession,” LeClercq said. “Sounds like a tough profession, but it’s something that I’d like to do someday.”

LeClercq is interested in becoming a writer and is writing a short story from the medieval era.

“Writing really appeals to me and drawing is definitely one of my favorite things to do,” LeClercq said. “To make people smile, laugh, enjoy something, you can do with writing.”

Before Clanton said goodbye, with suggestions from students he sketched up a new character with a pig head, cobra body, Tyrannosaurus arms, donning a mustache, monocle and tie.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.