Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?

My passion for art began at a very young age with my first coloring book. My mom often shares that while many kids wanted the latest toy trends, all I ever asked for was a new coloring book and a fresh box of crayons. That young love for creativity soon expanded beyond the pages and onto restaurant placemats and napkins whenever inspiration struck.

When I entered elementary school, I was fortunate to have incredible teachers who recognized my enthusiasm and talent for art. Their encouragement played a meaningful role in helping me continue to develop my skills and confidence in the creative process.

As I grew up, I spent countless hours drawing animals inspired by books from the library, sketching my own pets, and observing wildlife during trips to the zoo. These experiences helped nurture my artistic curiosity and laid the foundation for the creative journey I continue to pursue today.

The image below was inspired by these early experiences, along with a memorable fifth-grade book report on macaws. For that assignment, I was given the opportunity to create a book in my own unique way—an experience that allowed me to combine my love of art with learning. It remains a special piece that I still have today.

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

I attended Columbus College of Art & Design from 1997 to 2001, where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration.

It was during my time in art school that I discovered my artistic style was best suited for illustration. While I had initially considered pursuing animation, I realized that my portfolio and strengths aligned more strongly with the field of illustration, which ultimately became the focus of my studies and creative direction.

What was your first commission as a professional illustrator?

My first paid book project was an illustrated title about animal groups called Lemur Troops and Critter Groups. I truly loved the author’s words in that book, and even though my artistic style has evolved significantly since then, it still holds a special place for me.

What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?

My work life is a blend of illustration and design. I work from home, where I illustrate full time and also work part time as a social media designer for a marketing firm. Most of my time is spent in my studio, though working digitally gives me the flexibility to create in different places. During the warmer months I sometimes work from our camper, on the sun porch on bright days, or even from the couch.

My studio itself is divided into two spaces: a more traditional office area for design work, paperwork, and marketing, and a separate creative zone where I can get messy and experiment with materials. One of my long-term goals is to expand the studio so that the creative space is completely separate from the office side—and hopefully grow it into something that feels a bit more like a small library, since I’m quickly outgrowing the space I have now. It’s good to have goals!

My typical day starts with design work in the morning and transitions into illustration in the afternoon. Wherever I’m working, my four dogs are usually nearby—they like to keep me company throughout the day.

Honestly, the hardest part of doing work that I love so much is remembering to step away from it. Finding balance—making time to exercise, eat well, rest, and spend time with friends—is something I’m always working on.

Where do you currently live and where did you grow up?

I was born just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived in that area until leaving for my freshman year of art school. I was fortunate to grow up with grandparents who truly nurtured my creative side. One of my grandmothers was an artist herself, though I don’t think she would have described herself that way. I was constantly drawing, and it quickly became clear that I had a natural talent. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had such strong encouragement from both my family and my teachers.

I now live in rural Indiana, where my neighbors include cows, deer, rabbits, and plenty of other wildlife. It’s a peaceful setting surrounded by corn and soybean fields with small patches of woodland, and I really enjoy the balance it provides—quiet, natural surroundings with a strong sense of family. It’s a great place to recharge and stay grounded.

What piece of software or hardware could you not live without and why?

I’ve been working digitally for many years, ever since my days in art school experimenting with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and the rest of the Creative Suite. Along the way, I explored a variety of digital painting tools, always chasing new ways to bring ideas to life. Long before tablets were common, I even saved up to buy a ModBook, an early hybrid MacBook with a pen‑enabled screen. It was incredibly heavy, but it gave me true portability for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. Luckily, when it finally retired, the iPad and Microsoft Surface Pro arrived, and I’ve been using both ever since. I honestly can’t imagine my workflow without them.

Do you keep a sketch book?

Today, I keep a digital sketchbook as my creative playground. I’ve tried returning to traditional sketchbooks, but digital tools just let me explore more freely. A few times a year, I send my sketchbooks to my agent and critique groups to see if any overlooked ideas might grow into full portfolio pieces. Sketching daily is essential for me! Sometimes I have to nudge myself to stay consistent, but it’s where the fun happens.

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

I never choose favorites. It’s too much fun watching new ones come to life even though t I do love sneaking my pups into designs. The character shown, inspired by my eldest dog Zip and her occasional grumpiness, is one of my favorite examples of capturing a personality through small, expressive details.

How many times do you tend to draw a character until you are happy with it?

When there’s no pressure for perfection, character ideas have the freedom to evolve naturally. Some days the undo button gets quite a workout, and other days a character seems to appear effortlessly under the pencil.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I’m genuinely having fun drawing a character, it tends to come to life much more easily and quickly. That sense of play really shows in the final result. On the other hand, when I’m working on a character I don’t quite connect with, or one that doesn’t spark the same excitement, it can take much longer to get it right and feel satisfied with the outcome.

Which project has been most instrumental in developing your personal style?

One of the most meaningful chapters of my career was the years I spent helping develop the Learnalots for Rainstorm Publishing, now the Super Smart series by Kidsbooks Publishing. Working with those early characters and shaping the books pushed my style to evolve in the best way. I’m still grateful for that experience, and I often revisit those characters to sketch updated versions in my current style.

What do you hope children take away from your drawings?

I truly believe my artistic ability is a gift that has been nurtured by so many people along the way—family, friends, teachers, and mentors. Because of that, my hope is that my artwork gives something meaningful back. I want parents, caregivers, librarians, and teachers—as well as children—to slow down with each page, explore the details, and spend time with the illustrations as part of the storytelling experience. If my work brings happiness, sparks curiosity, and encourages imagination, then I feel like I’ve done my job. Nurturing imagination is really what I strive for.

What do you do in your spare time?

Outside of illustrating, I spend a lot of time outdoors. I love hiking, camping, kayaking, photographing nature, and playing with my dogs. I also enjoy experimenting in my studio—trying new art supplies, making handmade gifts, or exploring creative hobbies like painting, beading, or woodburning.

What would you say is a distinguishing feature of your artwork?

I would define my style as bright, expressive and character focused that is playful and immediately engaging for children and adults!

Which 4 words would you use to describe your illustration portfolio?

Playful

Colorful

Expressive

Imaginative

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

Animals have always been a huge part of my illustrative journey. This past year brought a particularly memorable adventure when a small stray dog, pregnant, scared, and in need of help, wandered down our driveway and found us. We named her Honey Hound, and we were able to feed her, give her a safe place to stay, and help her deliver and raise six puppies. Five of the pups found wonderful forever homes, and one decided to stay with us. Bringing our household to four dogs.

Each of my dogs has a special story, and they often find their way into my illustrations in little ways. I’m also a big collector of picture books featuring illustrated dogs, especially when they resemble one of my pups. It’s a fun way my love of animals continues to inspire my creative work.