Q&A with sruble Q: What's with the silly cow hat? A: This picture was taken on Halloween (my favorite holiday). I didn't have a real costume, but the hat worked great for giving out candy. And the trick-or-treaters liked it. Q: What kind of books do you write and illustrate? A: Right now I'm writing and illustrating picture books and working on a graphic novel. Q: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to write and/or illustrate children's books? A: Yes. I have information about creating children's books in the how to section. Just click on the how to button (the one with the cow) and you'll find it.

Q: How long have you wanted to write and illustrate children's books?
A: Ever since I was in grade school and we saw a film on the making of a picture book. The book was about creatures that lived in the ocean. After the film, I created a really cool story and picture, and I still have it! And I've always liked to make up stories about people I see on the street and about things that have happened to me, or that I wish would have happened to me. And sometimes I just like to make stuff up.

Q: Have you been published?
A: Yes. I've been published in magazines, WeeOnes (story and illustrations), Dragonfly Spirit (twice for illustrations), and Kid Magazine Writers (article on the writing life). I don't have any books published yet, but I'm hoping that the books I'm working on now will attract a publisher.

Q: Why do you draw so many cows and dogs?
A: In 2003 I stared drawing or painting a cow a day and I kept it up for a whole year. I called it Project Cow. After that, I decided to draw a dog a day for a year, and I called that Project Pup. Drawing and painting every day really changed my art and the way it looks. After Project Pup, I decided not to do another daily project, but to draw what inspires me. I still make art almost every day. I would recommend a daily art project to anyone that wants to try creating art for the first time, or for professionals in the field - you'll be surprised with the art you create in a year.

Q: Did you like to draw when you were a kid too?
A: Yes, I did! I drew all the time, and sometimes I made up stories to go with my drawings. I also made up stories about my stuffed animals, my friends, and my family. See some of my art as a kid here: sruble's KidArt.

Q: Do you license your images?
A: Yes. Please check out my licensing site for more information: one2moo

Q: Why did you name your site sruble.com?
A: Because it was better than girl-in-cow-hat.com. Unfortunately, some people call me sruble now. I'm not sure yet if I like the nickname.

Q: What's the deal with the hand as the dot in sruble.com? A: I like drawing hands, always have. My parents had a drawing of hands that I looked at all the time as a kid. I've tried drawing realistic looking hands, but I like my stylized better. Q: Did you know you look just like your cartoon image? A: Yes, although my hair doesn't always look as good as the cartoon sruble. Q: I have more questions, how can I contact you? A: You can email me by clicking on the email button (the one with the paper airplane) on any page. Please put "Lello" on the subject line so I know it's not spam. Q: What is Lello? A: It's like yellow or hello, but more fun to say.