The Illustrator’s Nature: The Words and Colors of Kim Soderberg 

Kim Soderberg is a Children’s Book Illustrator with a personal and professional passion for helping children grow in kindness through visual storytelling. 

After her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the importance of advocating for acceptance became a focal point in her work. Through portraying characters of all differences and abilities, she supports a culture where we all belong as we are in this world. 

Kim currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her graphic designer husband, Josh, and their three energetic children. She has a BFA in illustration from the Columbus College of Art Design and is an active member of SCBWI. 

When she is not illustrating, you can find her creating with Sculpey, exploring Lake Erie, or searching for a new succulent to add to her collection. 

What first sparked your interest in art and, specifically, illustration?

I was born with a spark for art, but my interest in illustration happened when I took a Children’s Book Illustration class in college. I loved the idea of telling a story to children through pictures.

What influenced you to illustrate "As Maya Grows in the Natural World?”

It was inspiring to read a story that stirred the imagination and provided simple ways for children to connect with nature. Like Maya, I also grew up in nature, surrounded by farm fields, animals, and my mother’s flower gardens.

Nature and humanity seem intertwined in your artwork. How do you explore the relationship between the two in your illustrations? 

It’s important to know how our environment affects us as humans. I like to add fine details to explore how you may feel in a certain space. For example, a character may have more of a calm expression when near a body of water or a playful stance when surrounded by puppies.

Are there any artists or illustrators who have influenced your style or approach to art?

Years ago, I took some illustration classes on SVSLearn, which is run by Will Terry and Jake Parker. I learned a lot about the art of working digitally.

Please share why penguins hold such significance for you.

When I was in college, we would often draw at the Columbus Zoo, and the Penguin exhibit there is amazing. I could watch them waddle around all day.

How do you infuse kindness into your illustrations, and what message do you hope to communicate to your readers?

I like to add acts of kindness to my illustrations, such as children helping each other or showing friendship between characters of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

The use of color in your illustrations is captivating. How do you select the palette for each spread?

Usually, I first think of what color captures the mood I want to portray. For example, yellow could be cheery, red warm, blue cold, etc. Then, I look at the color wheel for complementary colors. I’ve also looked through Pinterest to see what color schemes may be trending.

You convey atmosphere, emotions, and presence through your illustrations. Could you share some insights into your process or techniques that enable you to infuse such vivid realism into your images?

The key element in the process for me is research. I take a good amount of time to study the features that will be in my illustrations.

Besides illustration, do you enjoy exploring other art forms or creative pursuits? 

Sculpture is something I really enjoy. I’ve used Sculpey to make bugs for my plants and even a custom bobblehead for my nephew.

How do you see your art evolving, and what are your aspirations for your artistic career?

Someday, I would like to write and illustrate my own story. Until then, I plan to continue perfecting my craft and attending SCBWI conferences to stay up to date on market trends.

 It might be surprising to know that I went skydiving for my first Mother’s Day.