About me
My love for children's book illustration started before I learned to read as I discovered the way it transported me from the hearing world. To this day, I have somewhat adapted as a deaf person, but I still gravitate towards my childlike imagination as an artist. When I was in high school, my plans for the future were still up in the air until an anonymous donor got tickets for my Nana and I to hear Zachary Pullen speak about his life as an artist and his works. It was truly a transformational moment. I knew I wanted to be an illustrator. A few years later, Zachary was kind enough to grant me an internship in middle of my college career. I came to the point of wanting to specialize in this type of illustration as I realized what a kick I get out of creating characters. My illustrations are special since my characters come from inspirational people of all ages.
I focus on creating a cheerful disposition in my illustrations because I prefer children's books that are happy-go-lucky. I have been working towards the same level of craftsmanship and timelessness of Winsor McCay, Maurice Sendak, Arthur Rackham, and other classic children's book illustrators. I use oils and watercolors to create my visual communication. My nephews and niece are often the resources of my child-like visions by inspiring me with their imagination. One can see the influence of these little muses since they frequently show up in my illustrations. I am currently working on a book, using my oldest nephew as a model for the main characters, twins who are conjoined by their hair. The children in my life remind me that there are times we need to release our inner child and let them play.