How did you first become an artist and illustrator/is this something you've always been interested in?
I did not take a direct path to becoming an illustrator, but drawing and being creative has always been a huge piece of my heart my entire life. I was always coloring and drawing as a child, taking painting classes, and feeling truly at peace in my art classes in highschool. I then took a small detour to pursue a degree in elementary education (being indecisive about my major), only to go right back to school upon graduating (for a second degree) in graphic design. While I knew I could have a happy life as an educator, the creative field just kept pulling at my heart. I felt at home in the design program, graduated and worked as a designer for about 3 years, meanwhile drawing/painting in the evenings. I became a stay-at-home mom after our second child and used the down-time to explore illustration more and more, combining my love of painting and drawing with my approach to design and layout, finding a workflow that combined the two.
Are there any essentials you need to create your perfect creative day?
My ultimate perfect creative day is a cold and rainy day when my kids are off to school, getting a lot done while they are at school, and switching into 100% mom-mode when they get home. If the sun is shining, I have a hard time sitting inside (though I make it work!) but feel the most inspired when it is dreary outside, with a cup of coffee or tea nearby and a kitty on my lap. My favorite time of day to work is early early morning, a 4:15 am wake-up time. My brain feels the freshest and most creative at that time and love to start out my day that way.
What is your creative process? Do you work mostly digitally or do you work in different ways?
My creative process is mainly digital, but with a traditional approach. I enjoy a digital approach because I use a lot of geometry and symmetry in my work, so I create the layout of an illustration using simple shapes. I then switch into a different program and create all the details and textures more free-handedly (though still digital), but pulling in hand-created textures. I love the process of working digitally to keep things editable, but there are simply some things that can’t be mimicked digitally, and pulling in hand-painted or hand-drawn textures always brings life to a piece.
Onto our Positively Puzzling cover puzzle design. Where did the inspiration for this image come from?
The Camp Sight piece is inspired by my love and appreciation for the outdoors, based around childhood camping experiences and nostalgia. My hope with this piece (and the series) is that others are inspired to explore and appreciate the outdoors as well. It has been such an honor seeing the puzzle community’s excitement around this piece.
We can see a few references to camping in your artwork, are you an experienced camper? Do you have your own camper?
The camping theme definitely comes from childhood memories and nostalgia, and an overall appreciation for the outdoors. My parents are the experienced campers, enjoying their retired life almost always on a camping trip. My husband, kids and I often join them and camp in a tent next to their RV. It works out perfectly for my busy family because my mom handles the planning (something she really enjoys) and we are able to jump in and join when we can.
The piece also features stargazing: if you could visit another planet, which one would you choose?
If I could visit another planet, it would be Pluto. I grew up in the era when Pluto was recognized as a planet and even though it is now considered a dwarf planet, I think it still deserves a visit, and I’d get to see other planets on the journey out there!
Have you pieced together the puzzle yourself?
The puzzle is on my kitchen table waiting to be pieced together and photographed! I always love seeing how the artwork translates to the cut, and what little bits are on each piece. It’s such an honor having my artwork on Ravensburger puzzles. I have been a puzzle person my whole life (my mom called me the ‘puzzle queen’ as a young child) and my favorite was a Ravensburger puzzle of the inside of a house. I could put it together again and again and just get lost in the artwork, imagining the little family that would live inside the house. Seeing my artwork on these puzzles is definitely fulfilling a life-long dream!
What has it been like to see your puzzle featuring at so many international competitions this year?
It is so so amazing seeing my artwork being used at the puzzle competitions, truly an honor. All the photos from the events just give me such warm and happy feelings, a wonderful community of people for my artwork to be a part of. I also truly appreciate the fact that artwork needs no translation, and the feelings I try to portray are able to transcend languages and cultures. I’m so grateful for what I do and this experience has definitely inspired me to create more.
