By Rebecca Ballenger, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Author/illustrator Jose Pimienta, or Jo to those who know them, spends a lot of time on their feet running cross country, taking long walks near home and exploring new places. On a recent visit to Tucson, the Middle School Reading Ambassadors were curious about what goes on in Jo’s mind during these solo activities. “Everything,” they reply. Continuing, “I think about how my day is going. I think about what is currently happening in my life. The most recent song I heard, the book I read a month ago but still have so much to say about, or the comics I believe deserve more recognition, etc. I have fictional conversations with people I want to talk to. I think about my current projects and how to make them better. Or I think about what I’d like to eat next. But, every once in a while, I’m just looking at my surroundings without thought.”
Jo’s busy brain is put to good use as a cartoonist, author and illustrator who has worked with Random House Graphic, Iron Circus Comics, Dark Horse Comics and the Disney Digital Network. Their books include Suncatcher (YA), Luminous Beings (YA), Twin Cities (MG), Halfway to Somewhere (MG), The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur (MG) and Let’s Rumble (picturebook). This body of work provides a range of readers multiple ways to connect. Their work is relatable for those who see their family and friends in the characters or who relate with the thoughts and concerns we have as we grow and learn about ourselves and those around us.
Jo was raised in Mexicali, Baja California, and incorporates experiences and practices from their upbringing into their work. “My heritage just comes through, and I let myself be embraced by it. I think it comes as part of the deal with writing about personal interests,” they say. Jo gives the example of Twin Cities, a book about twins who live in Mexicali, Mexico, but go to school on different sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. “I’m from the border, and we have an ongoing clash of cultures between two very different countries.” They continue, “Halfway to Somewhere is about moving away from one place you used to call home and whether or not the new place you’re in CAN be a home.”
For Jo, depicting this connection to heritage requires more than locating a character in space. “My upbringing taught me to never forget where I’m from, how family is essential and that in order to preserve our culture, we must exercise it everywhere we go.” They allow that as time passes, they also challenge some cultural aspects. Then as quickly Jo says they enjoy including details from childhood such as stores, television shows and music (that maybe they still listen to). “By adding them visually to the comics, it enriches the storytelling, and my heritage comes through that way,” they conclude.
As a cartoonist, Jo believes art makes us human and hopes it plays an important role in the lives of their readers. “But more specifically, I hope art plays the role of another language. And in that language, the opportunity for dialogue. Just like words can mean different things, pictures can be interpreted differently but discussing them is where the magic continues.” For Jo, art involves creation, consideration AND conversation. “I hope my readers have fun discussing what art means to them and listening to what it means to others.”
Jo’s approach to the act of creating art has changed over time. “I used to wake up, make coffee and sit to draw. I no longer drink coffee,” they joke. The serious answer is that new, task-specific routines have evolved. Like most, Jo does have digital and real-life distractions. Even so, they begin work around mid-morning, taking a break for lunch and finishing work in the late afternoon or early evening. “When I’m writing, I listen to a lot of instrumental music, and I like to read as much as I can on topics related to the theme of the book I’m working on,” says Jo. “When I move to drawing, I try to remind myself to take breaks and stretch; and while I’m working digitally, I do try to take breaks and drink more water to avoid headaches from staring at a screen.” They admit to working late into the night but does not recommend all-nighters. “Deadlines are important, but a healthy rest is better in the long run.”
Jo tries to balance the work with physical activity, household chores, community organizing and socializing with friends. The relationship Jo has with family and friends is evident in their books. Twin Cities, Halfway to Somewhere and Let’s Rumble prominently feature sibling relationships. “Sibling relationships are unique, especially when you’re young. Usually, siblings are the ones who live with you so you get to know each other in ways no one else will ever see,” they say. “As I grew, I was fortunate to have strong friendships with people who are now essentially equivalent to immediate family. I’m very lucky that way, and I want to tell stories that honor those relationships.” Luminous Beings is a story about two people who have known each other since before they could walk. Jo says they want to tell stories to thank the people who are close to them – both family and friends who are like family.
Acknowledging the ways people have supported their journey as book creator, Jo recalls a school experience. Classmates posted their work on the wall and provided each other with critiques. “Listening to those critiques and learning to distinguish between helpful and not helpful suggestions is a skill I’m glad I got to learn,” says Jo, who continues to work with people they met in art school.
A Middle School Reading Ambassador shares her sketch with author and illustrator, Jose Pimienta, at a cartooning workshop run by the artist.
Young people don’t always see themselves as readers or writers, much less as capable of creating a book. Jo’s approach to these concerns is to ask questions: how do they like to receive stories? How do they like to express themselves? They recommend audiobooks and other forms of media to enjoy stories and similarly believes there are many ways to express a point of view. “As someone who had a difficulty reading, I had a different path. I used to watch cartoons, which led to reading comics, which lead to reading prose,” Jo says of reading. As for writing, “I still say ‘illustrating is writing in a different language.'” They allow for multiple creative approaches to reading, writing and illustrating.
This widened approach to creating could hook more young people into writing and illustrating books and bringing their new perspectives to publishing. That would suit Jo just fine. “I wish to see more diversity,” Jo says of children’s literature. This includes characters with different abilities, backgrounds, histories or identities and new ideas. “I wish to see more authors recognized for their journeys, and I wish to see more experimental art and experimental storytelling.” Jo wants alternatives, even if the alternatives don’t meet current measures of success.
Jo’s new book, The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur, is graphic nonfiction – fun but challenging.
“The research for that book was monumental. In case anyone has never visited the lake, I wanted to draw it as accurate as possible, so people see how beautiful it is and how scary the incident was. Their research included examining flora and fauna of the region as well as trends, tools and vehicles of the 1980s. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever drawn that much water, so… the challenges kept coming. And I smiled about it.”
As for what comes next, well, Jo is a bit cagey about that. “I want to talk about what I’m currently working on, but it hasn’t been announced.” They did share they are working with an “amazing author.” Jo is also creating a new book with cast of Latinx characters. They are also creating short stories with no publication plan. “Who knows what will happen. But that’s exciting, right?” Yes, we think it is.
See more of their work on their website and hear more about Halfway to Somewhere discussed by the Middle School Reading Ambassadors on the WOW Reads Podcast.
Authors’ Corner is a periodic profile feature in which authors discuss their writing process and the importance of school visits. Worlds of Words frequently hosts these authors for events in the collection. To find out when we are hosting an author, check out our events page. Journey through Worlds of Words during our open reading hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.