9 Questions with Jessixa Bagley, Hornall Anderson
9 Questions with Jessixa Bagley, Office Manager
Creativity is at the heart and soul of everything we do at kyu, and we are extremely fortunate to have the most creative minds as part of our collective.
To get to know the creatives in our community better – what makes them tick, where they draw their inspiration from, what they bring to their work – “9 Questions” is a regular series profiling their art and work.
Who is your design inspiration?
I’m one of those people who has a hard time with favorites because I have so many things that inspire me and my influences change often depending on what book I’m working on. Currently my artistic inspirations are artists such as Isabelle Arsenault, Jon Klassen, and Andrew Wyeth.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Advice I received from illustrator Melissa Sweet. When I asked her the biggest advice she had for getting published and she said: “Perseverance.” She said that talent can only get you so far. You have to be tenacious if you want to get there.
What’s one creative work you are most proud of?
I am most proud of my debut picture book Boats for Papa. It was a full expression of myself in words and pictures and it has resonated with so many people all over the world. That work has brought me closer to others and closer to myself than I ever thought something I created could do. I was able to make something that helped heal people and that is a gift I will always be grateful for and aspire to create again.
Who would play you in the movie of your life?
It feels like if I say Zoe Saldana I am conceited, but she has a bit of weirdo comics/fan girl in her so that speaks to me. AND if we want this to be a blockbuster then I need to aim high.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Teleportation or a perfect memory or teleportation.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Oh man, more favorites! There are too many genres to choose from… I love Frankenstein, The Great Gatsby, Wind in the Willows, The Little Prince, A People’s History, Fun Home, to name a few.
What does creativity mean to you?
Getting to express myself creatively has been a lifeline for me since I could hold a pencil – it’s like breathing. It’s allowed me to understand who I am and has taught me how to grow through making and sharing my art.
What historical figure would you have coffee with?
Barack Obama
What’s your life motto?
I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
Jessixa Bagley is an Office Manager at Hornall Anderson. Find out more about her work:
www.jessixa.com
Instagram: @jessixabagley