My Creative Life for Artists and Creators

Hi Everyone! Today I spoke with my return guest Robin Martéa, illustrator and fine artist. Robin's had some exciting things going on, and I asked her to return and speak about it. She has an art show at the Municipal Art Gallery in Jackson, Mississippi. We chatted about how to spend more time deeply thinking about creating and making art. Avoid the pitfalls of spending too much time on social...

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of interviewing Cleonique Hilsaca, children's book illustrator based out of Savannah, GA. Here is a more about Cleonique: CLEONIQUE HILSACA is an illustrator from Honduras based in Savannah, GA. Her professional work can be found in picture books, newspapers, magazines, board games and galleries. Though her work is primarily digital, she can be found painting wa...

Hi Everyone! Today my special guest is Melquea Smith, a children's book illustrator based out of upstate New York. Here is more about Melquea: My name is Melquea Smith, (pronounced "Mehl-kwee-yah" ♥) my pronouns are she/her and I’m a Black, award-winning, published, children’s book illustrator based in New York. I am an active member of SCBWI, student of Chris Oatley’s The Oatley Aca...

Hi Everyone, Myself and Tiffany Gordon, graphic novel writer/artist, attended the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Springmingle Southern Breeze Conference. We chatted about our experience and how we prepared for the event. Tiffany Gordon Website: https://www.tiffanygordonstudio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tgordonstudio/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tgordonstudi...

Hi Everyone, my special guest today is Keely Parrack. She is the author of Young Adult thriller, DON'T LET IN THE COLD and picture book, MORNING, SUNSHINE! She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband, and son. Her upcoming books are 10 Hours to Go out with Sourcebooks Fire out Winter 2023 and the next picture book is How Starling Got His Speckles - Barefoot Books - illus...

Hi Everyone, my special guest is, Deborah Miller a mixed-media reclaimed artist based in Savannah, GA. She is also the communications director at SLAM. Savannah Local Artist Market. See her work at: https://dsmillerart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsmillerart/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dsmillerart Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, my guest is Lina Callisto, a surface designer based in Montreal, Canada. She creates artwork that straddles the line between soft and bold, bringing products and spaces to life. She also help clients turn their unique visions into reality through freelance work. ​ To see Lina's work visit: https://www.linacallisto.com/ Lina's Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/lina.callisto...

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Carolyn Fraiser, children's book author of Moon Tree published by Reycraft Books. Moon Tree was chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold’s Standard Selection. She is also the author of Our Solar System: Moons. She is represented by Tara Gonzalez of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. To learn more about Carolyn visit: Website: https://carolynbfraiser.com/ Twitter: https://...

Hi Everyone, I had the opportunity to chat with Mikia Kopanski, Instructor of Graphic Design and Visual Storytelling. I met Mika in my motion media class and wanted to learn more about his thesis research and teaching higher education. To see more of Mika's work visit: https://www.instagram.com/mjericho82/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikakopanski/ Thank you for listening!

Hi Everyone, I got an insightful question during a school visit asking how I handle anxiety and creating art. I wanted to share my perspective on it. I hope my fellow artists know you are not alone. I provided some tips and ways I look at things to keep making art. Thanks for listening! To see my art visit: https://www.nmillerillustration.com/ Twitter: h ttps://twitter.com/nmillerillo Instragram:...

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Scott Boyd, video editor for Zealot Inc. Here is a bit about Scott. Scott Boyd Award-winning video editor working at Zealot Inc, creating trailers, TV spots, and digital content for high-profile clients, including Disney, Sony, Netflix, and HBO.  To see Scott's work visit: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/scottandrewboyd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottandrewb...

Hi Everyone! I'm talking today about the Pros and Cons of getting an MFA. I tell people to research what fits best for their situation and interests. I finished my MFA about 8 months ago, and I noticed I got asked by others about getting their MFA.  Here are some other interviews that talk about it: MFA A Bad Idea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O_BO3hf_bk John Hedrix Interview https://www.y...

Hi Everyone, I have my lovely return guest TeMika Grooms, Illustrator. She is the illustrator of "Put Your Shoes On and Get Ready!" by Raphael G. Warnock. TeMika shares the recent NYC SCBWI Conference Event and her process for creating her illustrations. To learn more about TeMika visit her website: http://www.temikatheartist.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeMikaTheArtist Instagram: https://www...

Hi Everyone, today, my special guest is Dr. Sarah Park Dahlen. She is an associate professor at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research addresses transracially adopted Koreans in children’s literature, Frank Carpenter and Frances Carpenter and their writings for children, and diversity in children’s literature and library education.  To...

Hi Everyone, my special guest today is Laura Lacámara, award-winning children's book author and illustrator. Here is more about Laura.  Cuban-born Laura Lacámara is the award-winning author and illustrator of Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia (Piñata Books), a bilingual picture book about a clever girl who transforms her unruly hair into a vibrant garden. Laura also wrot...

Hi Everyone!  I had the pleasure of speaking with Marsalis Eason, a Contemporary Film Photographer currently residing in Savannah, Georgia. He was kind enough to share his artistic journey and how he balances a full-time job and pushes the boundaries of storytelling through his photography. See his work at: https://www.delaselis.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/delaselis Instagram: https://w...

 Hi Everyone, my special guest is Shirley Ng-Benitez, award-winning children's book author and illustrator. She was kind to share her experience of going out on sub with her manuscript and then to get the call that it had been acquired! Yeah!! Here is more about Shirley and her wonderful cause Awetober! Shirley Ng-Benitez I love art and I’m so grateful to be able to connect through it with ot...

Hi Everyone, today's guest is Lisa Low Stauffer, children's book author and co-regional advisor for the SCBWI Southern Breeze. This interview with Lisa was full of information on becoming a published children's book author. She read her lovely story Two by Two, and she talked about her path to publication. It was fantastic! Here is more about Lisa: Although I secretly longed to write fiction since...

Hi Everyone, my special guest today is Charise Harper, award-winning author and illustrator of picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and comics. Here is more about Charise. Award-winning author and illustrator Charise Mericle Harper delivers a fantastically funny picture book about doing the impossible: drawing a horse. A children's metafiction book about creativity and imaginative play ce...

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Taryn Cozzy, Creative Director for the Superhero Project. She is also an animator and illustrator currently in NC. I was fortunate to have worked with Taryn on a poster for the Superhero Project. It was an honor, and I recommend any artists that like to give back please check out their site for more details. Here is more about Taryn: Born and raised in Vermont, Taryn...

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Amanda Bennett, a Fibers Artist based out of Savannah, GA. Here is more about Amanda. Amanda Bennett is an interdisciplinary artist based in Savannah, Georgia.  Her work investigates how biomaterials can act as a conduit for storytelling that reconnects us to nature and provides a more ecologically-responsible approach to material-making. See her work at: https:...

Hi Everyone, my special guest is Jill Burns of Nestbox. Jill is a surface designer and illustrator who created work for HomeGoods, Trader Joe's, and Pistachio. We met through Elizabeth Silver's Surface Design Business Course. Jill has experience starting two successful creative businesses! To see her work visit: https://www.nestboxstudio.com/  or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nestbox...

Hi Everyone, I have updates with Keith Lee and Broly Su on their art journey and getting an agent. Seeing how their careers have flourished since I last spoke with them was great. Both are award-winning illustrators and continue to pursue their passions in illustration. They cover the steps they went through to get signed by their agents. I hope this discussion is helpful for you when looking for...

Hi Everyone today, my guest is Benson Shum, Animator, Children's Book Author and Illustrator. Benson talks about his start in animation and how he went on to work on writing and illustrating his first picture book. He offers advice to young students wanting to start a career in animation. Here is more about Benson: Benson Shum is a children's book author and illustrator. The idea that an image or...

Hi Everyone, my special guest today is Donald Sutton, children's book author and illustrator. Donald was kind enough to share what he has learned during his studies at Hollins University for his MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustration. Here is more about Donald: ​ Donald is a children's book author/illustrator and a 2020 We Need Diverse Books Illustration mentee.  He is a multi-disciplined...