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Who are some of your artistic influences?
Edmund Dulac, Jessie Willcox Smith, Jan Vermeer, Andrew Wyeth, and N.C. Wyeth.
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Who are some of your favorite artists and illustrators?
Cathie Bleck, Olga and Andrej Dugin, Brett Helquist, Sterling Hundley, Loren Long, Peter McCarty, John Palencar, Chris Payne, Eric Rohmann, Koo Schadler, Kirsten Ulve, and Hala Wittwer-Swearingen.
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Why did you choose to become an illustrator?
Because I get paid to draw and paint! And, it's very rewarding to see my work in print, build my career, and meet respected artists and designers.
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Would you describe your art training?
Growing up, I took a lot of art classes. I earned my BFA in Illustration from Columbus College of Art and Design. At CCAD, I learned from professional illustrators as well as my professors. After college, I interned at American Greetings.Transitioning to a full-time illustrator required a lot of extra preparation. In my personal time I researched the illustration market, met local art professionals, sent out mailers, advertised in sourcebooks, and asked lots of questions.
Now, as a professional illustrator, I continue learning through networking, classes, workshops, and seminars.
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What did you gain from working in-house?
The in-house artists at American Greetings provided me with an art community after college. It was valuable to learn from their advice, gain experience in a corporate environment, and earn steady income creating art. The encouragement from the local art community there helped me have the confidence to pursue a career in free-lance illustration.
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How did you start your free-lance career?
As a student one of my pieces was recognized by the Society of Illustrators with the Norman Rockwell at Stockbridge Award. I used the prize money to pay for my first national ad in an illustration sourcebook. While living in Lakewood, Ohio, I was able to meet with the senior art director of Cleveland Magazine and submit my portfolio. A few weeks later he commissioned me for a full page which ran in December of 1998. In the meantime, an art director from Harper Collins Publishers saw my national ad and called to offer me my first book jacket.
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How do clients find you?
Throughout my career I've taken out national sourcebook ads, advertised with direct mailing, entered national art competitions, met with clients in person, advertised online, and occasionally donated art to special causes. All this has helped clients find me. Also, actively working in the industry generates "word-of-mouth" advertising.
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How much creative freedom do you get?
It depends on the job. A typical project goes like this: I receive a short character description, segments of the text, and a manuscript. I visualize and create my interpretation of the subject, environment, symbolism, atmosphere, lighting, etc. On occasion, some projects are so specific that it can be difficult to incorporate my own voice, but I do my best.
Generally, I'm given a rough framework and I make the work as personal as possible while satisfying the needs of my clients.
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How do you create an illustration?
I begin by familarizing myself with the book and it's audience. While reading the manuscript, I make small rough sketches. I refine my best sketches with pencil and ink. The art director presents my sketches to the editors, marketing department, and occasionally the author before choosing one for the cover.
To create the final drawing, I research everything in the image, sculpt small models, and hire friends to pose for photo reference. I use all this visual information to tighten my drawing. I then do both a value and color study digitally, and complete the final artwork by hand on watercolor paper using acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencils.
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What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
1. Invest in yourself. Create a website, advertise, enter art competitions, and take on assignments.
2. Shop your portfolio around now and learn from your experiences.
3. Create a clear vision of the type of work you want to do and put it in your portfolio.
4. Try to get a job in the art world—so you're learning and making connections.
5. Get involved in an art community so you can network, ask questions, and get feedback on your art.
6. Work as hard on low paying jobs as you would on dream jobs. Soon you'll be able to pick and choose your projects.
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What is it about illustration that fulfills you?
I'm most fulfilled when I feel I've created a successful match between the image and the assignment. It is also rewarding when the artwork not only complements but can stand independent of the assignment.
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Do you make artwork for yourself?
Yes, if I have time between projects, business tasks, errands, exercise, etc...
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Do you consider yourself an artist or an illustrator?
I work on commission. The distinction between an artist and an illustrator seems insignificant to me since most artists work for a patron or audience.
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What are some positives / negatives of free-lancing?
Negatives:
Self-employment tax.
Can be isolating.
Working long hours.
Positives:
Flexible work hours.
No Commute.
Getting paid to create art.
Meeting amazing artists.
Living wherever you want.
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What is your favorite color?
I have a life-long obsession with orange.