Melissa Walker
Children's Illustrator
Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?
What made me want to become an illustrator is being able to communicate what I believe with what I think is beautiful.
How and why did you decide to pursue illustration as your career?
I want to be able to use my gifts to communicate with others that may have communication difficulties or may not know their special purpose.
Who or what have been some of your major artistic influences?
My favorite artistic influences is mama and baby animal art. I love giving it soothing colors to add my feelings in it.
Who or what has been your greatest mentor?
My Aunt loved animals and believes they can feel God's love. She knew that no matter how small they were, they have special purpose and can be reached by someone great.
What was your first commission as a professional illustrator?
My first commission as a professional illustrator is to learn from people. I visited art galleries and told them I cared about every story they have to tell, and want to reach and care for as many as I can.
Talk us through the process of creating one of your latest illustrations or books.
I would like to create a children's devotional. I want to teach the basics of what God shows when others need compassion. When we hurt, we don't feel we can get through but he wants us to know that he always loves us no matter what we feel. I even want to show how God makes us all unique and God loves us the same.
Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
I have been inspired watching numerous YouTube videos of animal families or animal best friends. I even get touched when I've seen animals rescue other animals.
Which 4 words would you use to describe your illustration portfolio?
4 words to describe my illustration portfolio is giving, therapeutic, heart opening, and peaceful.
Outline your dream project.
My dream project is to create a place where anyone can feel like they belong. I can use my gifts to reach the ones that feel uncared for know they are eternally cared for.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
The best thing advice someone has ever given me is about caring for God's creation. Some people don't realize how much animals need our love. Someone said, if you don't think animals have souls, you haven't looked enough in their eyes.
Animals feature heavily in children’s books – do you have a pet?
I have 2 pets. A dog named Hope and a cat named Bella. I raise them to be in harmony with each other. I think my dog would really protect my cat, even though sometimes she's overly playful.