CARLY KADE CREATIVE: FOR THE LOVE OF HORSE BOOKS
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Buy the Books
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Media Room
  • Contact
  • Bonus
  • Photo Gallery
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Wisdom

Episode 62: On Creating Fergus The Horse, Illustration & Evoking Emotion with Jean Abernethy (Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast)

1/27/2021

0 Comments

 
Jean Abernethy Creator of Fergus the Horse Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast Interview
Episode 62: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books then you are in the right place!

In this week's episode, you'll meet Jean Abernethy, author, illustrator and creator of Fergus the Horse. You'll learn ...​
  • About the inspiration behind Jean's cartoon character, Fergus the Horse, and how she celebrated the 20th anniversary of his creation with a brand new Fergus book.
  • How Jean got started working with equestrian publications and what has changed in the industry since she started submitting her work 35 years ago.
  • Why Jean believes, as artists and authors, it is our job to make work that evokes emotion.
  • And MUCH more!

Watch Jean Abernethy's Interview on YouTube!


Or listen to the audio only version.


About Jean Abernethy

Jean grew up on a small family farm near Lindsay Ontario (Canada) where at an early age she learned to explore her world on horseback. She pursued a college education in Equestrian Studies at Humber College, and then earned her art degree a OCAD University in Toronto.

Her illustrations have graced equestrian print publications for over 35 years. Jean's cartoon character, Fergus the Horse, has brought laughter to hundreds of thousands (of humans) around the world on Facebook. (As far as we know, horses have not yet learned to access social media.)

Jean Abernethy Podcast Interview Excerpt

Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast
Carly: How did your love affair with horses begin?

Jean: I'll be completely honest. I think it started at my conception. I just really and truly think it's in us when we're born. I don't know why but I needed a pony. I made a little T-shirt design that says, "I need a pony." It's that simple. It's that simple. I was a kid that needed a pony.
Jean Abernethy Cartoonist
Carly: You and Fergus the Horse just celebrated your 20-year anniversary together. How does that make you feel?

Jean: It's a little bit mind-blowing actually to realize I've been doing this that long. Fergus just hit his 20 years, but 
I've been cartooning closer to 35 years. Before Fergus, I was just doing generic horses and the people in the cartoons told the jokes. When I invented Fergus, the character had to speak, so it kind of went from there. I didn't really know what I was stepping into when I started Fergus, but it was something that obviously needed stepping into.

Fergus the Horse by Jean Abernethy

Carly: You've just released a new book called It's been 20 years Fergus. Talk to us about about your books.

Jean: The first book was the initial collection of ten years worth of comics. That was followed by three story books which were completely and totally enjoyable. My publisher and I were thinking about where Fergus would go next. I looked at the calendar, looked at the year, and it was perfect because it was right about 20 years since I scribbled down this little guy and stuffed him into a fax machine to a very dear friend in England. That was when Fergus was born. He popped out of the fax machine at the other end announcing that he would rather travel by satellite than by horse trailer.

Fax machines are obsolete now. Goodness me, but it's been that long, so we took a look at those 20 years. I dug up drawings and artwork. I made a lot of new material for the book, which was fun.

It's Been 20 Years Fergus Book Trailer


Fergus the Horse Books by Jean Abernethy

Fergus the Horse Books by Jean Abernethy

Carly: What were you thinking when you created Fergus?

​Jean: That's a good question. I was making it up as I went along. I had enough people who enjoyed my cartoons ask me what the horse's name was. I was making generic horses then, and I heard that question often enough that I thought maybe I better make a singular character,  rather than just drawing the old horse with googly eyes, so I did that of course. Then I realized that particular horse needed other horses for the stories to play against. He needed some people for the stories to play against, and then I started building this herd of characters. I needed stories for them to tell, so it grew and grew.

Horse Cartoon Characters by Jean Abernethy

Carly: Where did your talent start?

Jean: That may have started at conception, too. I enjoyed drawing as a little kid. I remember being so young the first few times i held that orange pencil and learning to make the shapes of letters. I would make horses too because that's the other thing a pencil will do — it'll draw things. I just took to it and, for unknown reasons, horses inspired me. I was drawing horses as early as I can remember.

My whole family is artistic. I've always been artistic and followed that thread
growing up as a kid on the farm. I didn't know what a professional artist might even do. I didn't have a clue. I just knew that, between art and horses, it'd always be something that I gravitated towards. I'm very grateful to have educated myself in both disciplines to some degree. In college, I pursued equestrian studies. which was one of the smartest things I ever did, but then I went on to art school. That was the other smartest thing I ever did.

My education has enabled me to grow Fergus into looking the way he looks. Raw talent is exactly that. It's raw. I would say that to any young artist. Study, study, study. Educate yourself as much as you can because raw talent is raw.

Jean Abernethy Creator of Fergus the Horse Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast Interview

Carly: What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

Jean: One surprising thing would be the somber side of Jean Abernethy. A good laugh and a good cry are close cousins, Carly. I have written a couple of songs that'll put tears in people's eyes. As artists, it's our job to make work that evokes emotion. I  just happen to choose comedy most of the time because that's the most fun. 

Connect with Jean Abernethy & Fergus the Horse

Picture
Website: https://www.jeanabernethy.com/
Fergus the Horse Website: https://www.fergusthehorse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FergusTheHorse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fergus_the_horse/
Buy the Books: https://www.horseandriderbooks.com/jean-abernethy/

Get your FREE Fergus the Horse Coloring Sheets here: ​https://www.fergusthehorse.com/#downloads

Tune In: New Interviews Each Week

Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast Hosted By Carly Kade Featured in Horse Illustrated Magazine
Make sure you never miss a show by subscribing on YouTube or Apple Podcasts. This podcast is made possible by listeners like you. I appreciate your support! 

​Thank you for joining us this week on the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast I hope you enjoy these Q&A sessions with wonderful equine authors who love all things horses and writing just like me. 


​If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted please let me know. Visit my contact page to fill out a request. I'd be happy to have you on the show, too.

Want a free guide to secrets of horse book authors? Gallop over to https://www.carlykadecreative.com/wisdom.html and join the Equestrian Author Spotlight email list to have the author advice resource delivered instantly to your inbox.
View the Podcast Episode Directory

About Your Podcast Host Carly Kade

Horse Book Authors Jean Abernethy, Carly Kade and Fergus the Horse
Jean Abernethy, Carly Kade & Fergus the Horse
Carly Kade is an award-winning independent author, horse owner, creativity coach, and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight Podcast. She helps fellow writers start, grow, and expand their author careers. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle!

Carly's award-winning In the Reins equestrian romance book series was written with horse lovers in mind, no matter which discipline they ride. The horses are as vital to moving the story forward as the human characters are.

These books are perfect for poolside reading, taking to the beach, or settling down with after a day of horseback riding.
Horse Books by Carly Kade

Carly Kade
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Carly Kade Creative

    Carly Kade Author

    Books by Carly Kade

    In the Reins Equestrian Romance Horse Book Series by Carly Kade
    In the Reins, Cowboy Away, Show Pen Promise Books by Carly Kade

    In The Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award Winner
    In the Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Official Literary Award Winner
    Author Carly Kade wins Feathered Quill Book Award for Equestrian Fiction In The Reins
    In the Reins earns TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards
    Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
    Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
    In the Reins by Carly is BookWorks Book of the Week
    In the Reins is the Self Publishers Association Book of the Week

    Book Trailer


    Author Info

    Carly Kade writes for anyone who loves horses, handsome cowboys and a great romance. Creative writing about horses makes her spurs jingle!  

    RSS Feed


    Please note: This website contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thank you for your support in keeping this site running.

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

Feeling Social? Join The Herd!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Buy the Books
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Media Room
  • Contact
  • Bonus
  • Photo Gallery
  • Store
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Wisdom