Picture This

In this episode of My Creative Life, I had the opportunity to speak with Penny Weber a children's book illustrator in NY. Here is a little bit about Penny.  Penny Weber is a full-time artist and illustrator from Long Island, New York, where she’s lived all of her life. She works both digitally and traditionally in acrylics and watercolors. Penny attended classes at the School of Visual Arts in New York.  Over the years she has worked in residential murals, greeting cards, and she still offers portraits, caricatures, and pet portraits to independent clients.  In 2007, Penny turned her attention to children’s book illustration and quickly signed with Wendy Mays and Janice Onken to be represented by WendyLynn & Company.  Since then Penny has illustrated many books, including the Chris P. Bacon series for Hay House Publishers.  Some of Penny’s other clients are McGraw Hill Education, Seed Learning, Tilbury House, and Learning A-Z.  Penny is proud...

This episode of My Creative Life I had the pleasure of talking with Maggie Roth. Here is a little about Maggie. Maggie Roth is an Oklahoma based artist. She received her BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2019. Maggie moved to Oklahoma after graduating. Maggie explores the art direction of both styles she is passionate about, her illustrative style, and minimalist linework style. As a freelance artist, her current work is focused on her minimalist abstract linework. She explores the complicated essence of our human experience in life through the simplicity of a line. To see Maggie's work visit http://www.maggieroth.com/ Instagram@MaggieRoth_ To listen visit My Creative Life Podcast.

Mariyka was a delight to speak with as we share the interest of surface design and children's books. Here is a bit about Mariyka. Mariyka Auber is a freelance illustrator and in-house designer for Carter's. She specializes in cute animal characters and whimsical hand lettering, and infuses humor and emotion into everything she produces. Aside from art, Mariyka loves taking care of her ever-growing indoor jungle, watching home renovation shows, and taking weekend hikes through the forest.  She lives in Atlanta with her fluffy bobtail cat, Jasper. To see more of her work visit https://www.mariykaauber.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiguLq50XQ65BxbgIcejSRg https://www.instagram.com/mariykaauber/ Listen to the podcast interview at My Creative Life.

I had a wonderful time talking with Katelyn Yoder, surface designer, and illustrator. She does beautiful work. Here is a bit about her.  My name is Katelyn Yoder. I am an illustrator, painter, textile designer, and crafter who wants to bring happiness to others my joy for life and passion for friendship and faith with my art. I use a variety of mediums to express illustrative arts, such as watercolor, pen and ink, graphite, oil, acrylic, embroidery, printmaking, and digital art. I am proficient in technology such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Procreate. I am an outgoing, energetic, person with a passion for travel, nature, and food with a great sense of humor who is very easy to get along with. I always make sure my art is a work of heart. To see more of her work visit her website. KatelynYoder.com Instagram @work.of.heart To listen to the podcast visit My Creative Life.

I had the pleasure of meeting TeMika Grooms via the SCBWI Southern Breeze. She is such a generous and knowledgeable illustrator. I think her passion and kindness shine through in this interview. Here is a little about TeMika. TeMika Grooms is an Atlanta-based artist, author, and arts advocate. Her interest in art and storytelling began early in life under the influence of her mother, an artist, educator, and librarian. Creative art practices provided TeMika with an outlet during challenging transitional periods as a military child settling in Columbus, Georgia. Under the direction of wonderful teachers, she was provided a well-rounded education that supported her artistic talent and ability to capture and animate the human form with strong, fluid lines and expressive movement. To expand on her traditional art-making skills, TeMika is exploring the use of technology in art by creating digital paintings and surveying new avenues to bring interactive art to the public. ...

I am super excited to share this latest interview with you all. I had the honor of having Gregory Christie on my podcast. I met him from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I got the courage to ask him to be a guest on the podcast. Here's a bit about Mr. Christie. R. Gregory Christie is a multi-award-winning children’s book illustrator with more than 60 traditionally published books to his credit. He is also the owner of GAS-ART GIFTS (Gregarious Art Statements) an Atlanta based traveling children’s bookstore that provides art services to private and public groups. He is an NAACP Image Award Winner. The 2013 Kwaanza Stamp designer. A Caldecott Honor Winner A Six-time, Coretta Scott King Honor recipient. Has won many awards from The New York Times and Boston Globe. An artist for a New Orleans Jazz Festival poster. Has films on Netflix through Karyn Parson’s “Sweet Blackberry” projects. He’s done many album covers including John Coltra...

In this episode I had Sumam Azzam, a fellow grad student in the MFA program at SCAD. We had Digital Solutions for Illustrators together. He has some outstanding work in portraiture and concept art. He's working on his thesis and took some time away from his busy schedule to talk about his passion for painting and teaching. If you would like to see his work check out his  Instagram @sumamx . Listen to the interview at My Creative Life with Nancy Miller.

I've learned a lot in my Drawing for Illustrators Grad class. I think I'm starting to realize that I have better instincts then I think when it comes to my own artwork. I am getting better at critiquing artwork.  In this 09 episode, I do a talk while speed painting about the importance of adding values in your illustration work. Also found this amazing app called Brush Box. Extensions are a great way to add those little things you wish Photoshop did better. I got it from  https://gumroad.com/l/brushbox. It does a great job. The only thing is sometimes you have to click the brush maybe more then once to switch it. Don't care like the ability to organize and color code my brushes. For $15 it's pretty sweet.

I decided to contact one of the illustrators I've been following on Youtube. Jess Bircham. She has some really fantastic tutorials for digital illustration. She was kind enough to answer my questions regarding her career as an illustrator. NSM: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Jess:   Sure! My name is Jess Bircham and I am a professional Illustrator. I work full time as an Illustrator for a charming company called Bunnies by the Bay. I illustrate children’s books, create art for fabric, apparel, art for catalogs, website and social media. I also do commissions and some personal art. I am originally from England but now live in Washington state in a log cabin on 11 acres in the mountains. I am a Mum of two boys, wife of a loving hubby, and farm girl of 4 horses, 3 dogs, 3 cats and 18 chickens! My home is very inspiring to my work! NSM:  Describe the first time you remember making art? Jess:  That’s a tough question! I d...

On the 2.13 episode I had Blanca Cárdenas, and she is based out of Texas. She was in my Digital Illustration class. She is a very talented illustrator and working on her MFA in Illustration. I'm really glad I got to have a class with her.  Listen to the interview at My Creative Life . Blanca E. Cardenas Barragan is a Mexican artist residing and working throughout the state of Texas. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2018 with a BFA in 2D Studio Art, focusing on drawing and painting.  She has had extensive exposure to various artistic mediums such as bookmaking, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics, but her passions are deeply rooted in graphic novels. Blanca’s work centers around the female form while illustrating its confidence and beauty using visually enticing pin-up styled illustrations. Her work has been featured in various galleries, including the Satellite Gallery in Huntsville, Texas and the Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, NY. Blanca ma...

In this episode 2.10 of My Creative Life, I have Alicia Young a children's book illustrator, mural artist, and glitter painter. She was kind enough to be interviewed and share her process with me. Here is a little about her below: Alicia loves being a Jesus follower and Texas girl. She attended art college in beautiful Connecticut, and received her BFA in Painting in 2009 from the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Alicia truly enjoys illustrating Childrens' books, painting murals, and  recently released her own two devotional books! She thanks the Lord for the gift of art and truly desires to spread joy and to bring God glory through each unique piece she creates! To see more of Alicia's work: Alicia Young Art Website Alicia Young Art Instagram Alicia Young Art Etsy Listen to the episode on My Creative Life.