An Artist’s Blog

Some days the world can seem so big. Occasionally we feel like we're biting off more than we can chew. Most of the time, to address these feelings, we simply need to take a deep breath and settle in to how we want to present our own story. We all have our own stories to tell. Sometimes it can be hard to find the best way to share them. And it's just as important to listen to the stories of others. I'd been feeling a little overwhelmed by some tasks in my life recently. To quiet my anxiety I … [Read more...] about United In Story

For my most recent submission to the SCBWI Illustrator's gallery and competition; prompt words "Two Truths and a Lie", I did a drawing using colored pencils. How to illustrate this abstract concept in a three paneled piece without using words? My mind went immediately to the Lies told by fishermen. The only truths are: that the fisherman left to go fishing, and the reality of what's in their fish basket when they return. What is expounded upon by the fisherman about the events of their adventure … [Read more...] about Colored Pencil

At a recent SCBWI Illustration Workshop I had the opportunity to get tips and advice from inspiring illustrator Eliza Wheeler. Her presentation left me eager to get back home and experiment with watercolors some more. Watercolors are tough. They require a lot of patience and planning. These are two traits that I have a limited supply of and always need to work on integrating into the illustrator part of my life. Watercolors however, are one of the beauties in life that can inspire me to give … [Read more...] about Being Drawn Into Stories

One of my favorite illustrators is Norman Rockwell. He often illustrated children in their most awkward and vulnerable moments. I believe it's in those moments that we can find out the most about ourselves. And it is in those findings that we can see truly how we need to relate to one another. For if we see that we are weak, strong, brave, or unsure, then certainly others are as well. To know how we'd like others to respond to our propensities, we can then ascertain how we should respond to … [Read more...] about The Simplest of Moments Provide Profound Insights

I spent all day yesterday gardening in the great outdoors, so today as it poured outside, I brought some of the memories of working outdoors on the farm to my blank page. I'm still struggling with markers so I figured the more I work with them the better I'll get. I had some photos that I'd taken a year ago as the fields yellowed and vibrant color dressed the trees. Then there was a morning where frost blued the remaining green grasses and sparkled on the heads of brown weed stalks at the … [Read more...] about Famous Cattle Art