Did you attend art school or undertake any other formal artistic training?

I earned my degree in illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, a remarkable institution that has since closed its doors. I graduated in an era when breaking into the field meant personally presenting your portfolio to art directors. While my passion was illustration, the need for steady income led me to build a successful career in graphic design.

Who or what have been some of your major artistic influences?

Disney animated films were one of my earliest and strongest influences, and they played a big role in inspiring my pursuit of illustration. Their storytelling, expressive characters, and ability to create emotion through art had such a lasting impact on me that I minored in animation while studying in college. I was also deeply inspired by two large books my family owned featuring the work of Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. I spent countless hours studying their artwork and reading about their lives. Their mastery of storytelling, composition, light, and atmosphere continues to influence the way I approach illustration today.

Who or what has been your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentor has actually been my daughter. Although I earned my BFA in illustration, I went on to build my career in graphic design. It was my daughter who encouraged me to return to illustration. She reminded me that I had a talent I wasn’t fully using and encouraged me to pursue it again. She even gifted me a digital tablet, which became the catalyst for this new chapter in my creative journey. That pushed me to start creating and sharing my work on social media and to challenge myself to learn digital illustration—quite a shift from watercolor, which has always been my favorite medium. Her belief in me gave me the confidence to reconnect with my first artistic passion and continue growing as an illustrator.

What is your favourite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is Winnie-the-Pooh. My mother used to read it to me at bedtime when I was young, and years later I had the joy of reading it to my own daughter. That connection across generations makes it especially meaningful to me. I love all of the characters and the gentle charm and thoughtfulness woven throughout the stories. The relationship between Christopher Robin and his friends is so tender and beautifully written. I’m also deeply drawn to the simplicity of the illustrations by E. H. Shepard—they are understated, yet full of warmth, personality, and emotion. To me, it is a perfect example of how simple illustration can carry so much feeling.

Do you keep a sketch book?

Yes, I keep a sketchbook and try to draw in it every morning while I’m having my coffee and listening to the local news. I usually sketch either animals or people, often using references from Pinterest or websites that feature figure models. It’s become a quiet, steady part of my routine and a way to warm up creatively each day.

I recently moved, and I realized just how many boxes of sketches I’ve accumulated over the years. I do still go back through them often and pull ideas from past drawings. I also frequently take photos of things that catch my eye or spark an idea, saving them for future inspiration. It’s become an ongoing visual library that I can return to whenever I need to develop new work.

Tell us about the creation of your favourite character from one of your books.

Creating characters for a new book is my favorite part of the process. After receiving the character descriptions and reading the manuscript several times, I work to develop a full understanding of who the character is—how they think, how they feel, and how they move through the world. From there, I begin exploring multiple visual interpretations, developing several versions of the character. I then narrow it down to two options to share with the art director and author for feedback and selection. Drawing on my background in animation, I create a character sheet that shows the chosen design from multiple angles, along with a range of expressions to fully capture the character’s personality.

What do you hope children take away from your drawings?

I hope children see themselves reflected in the characters and worlds I create. I also hope they discover something beyond the words of the story through the illustrations—an added layer of meaning that deepens their experience. Ultimately, I strive to draw from the heart, creating work that feels honest, emotional, and connected to the story in a meaningful way.

Are there any children’s classics you’d love to illustrate and/or re-tell?

During Mermay 2026, an Instagram drawing challenge held every May focused on mermaids, I created an illustration of Little Red Riding Hood reimagined as a mermaid, with the wolf from the original story transformed into a shark. I had so much fun exploring that reinterpretation that it sparked a larger idea—I would love to illustrate an entire book featuring these two characters in this underwater version of the story.

Animals feature heavily in children’s books – do you have a pet?

I grew up with pets, and I’ve always felt they play an important role in childhood. Every child deserves a companion who offers unconditional love, comfort, and a sense of belonging. That belief has stayed with me into adulthood and continues to shape both my life and my work.

I currently have two Siberian Huskies, and they are truly my family and  friends. They’re right there with me in my studio as I work, keeping me company through every stage of creating a piece. A lot of my ideas actually come to me while I’m out hiking with them—the rhythm of walking, being outdoors, and observing their energy often opens up space for new creative thoughts.

Their personalities also find their way directly into my work. I’m constantly inspired by the way they interact with the world, and that naturally influences the animal characters I create, giving them a sense of spirit, expression, and individuality.