My Creative Life for Artists and Creators

Hi Everyone, my guest today is Lindsey Gerow, artist and art teacher. She talks about her passion for creating art, teaching art, and founding the Effingham Artists Association in Georgia. To learn more about the Effingham Artists Association, visit:https://effinghamartists.org/Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed Erin Richardson, Illustrator. Here is more about Erin:As a lifelong artist, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through illustration. Growing up, I spent countless hours lost in books, captivated by the details in the artwork and eager to create my own. My vivid childhood imagination still inspires me today—whether it’s the cozy world of my beloved dollhouse or the magic of turning a simple idea into something tangible.My dream project is to build a 3D set to illustrate the story of a spunky girl navigating her emotions in a miniature world within her dollhouse. It’s a tale of self-discovery, unlikely friendships, and realizing you don’t have to shrink to escape.I’m inspired by all things that matter to kids—emotions, relationships, and the beauty found in small, everyday moments. My artistic influences include Jessie Wilcox Smith, Norman Rockwell, David Hohn, Arthur Rackham, Chris Van Allsburg. I loved the classics from storytellers C.S. Lewis, Roald Dahl, and Judy Blume. If there’s an element of fantasy, magic, or adventure, I’m all in!Beyond illustration, I’m passionate about color, texture, and atmosphere, blending vintage aesthetics with modern storytelling. I’ve painted Trompe L’Oeil murals, designed hand-painted furniture, and created custom cards and advertising. Lately, I’ve been exploring 3D set design, finding joy in building miniature furniture and discovering new textures.  Studying the papercrafting and 3D world building from Samantha Cotterill, Nancy So Miller and Cybele Young, I am fascinated with the interaction between cut paper and the way a shadow falls from a structure in dimensional set.  If I am not illustrating, I can be found hiking the Rocky Mountains, trying a new recipe, or spending time with family and friends. Most of my illustrations are digital, using Photoshop and my Cintiq, yet I love traditional media like watercolor, gouache, ink, and cut paper.  I believe pictures open doors where words sometimes can’t, offering kids a window into new worlds and deeper emotions.This year, my goals are to write and illustrate my own manuscript, expand my website with a store and blog, and continue honing my skills through SVS Learn. I’m excited about school visits and hope to inspire kids to believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Awards: Top 12 Critique Arena, 2022 SVS LearnWinner of the Rocky Mountain Chapter SCBWI Annual Calendar Contest, 2023Illustrator of the Month, September 2024 SCBWI Books:Oliver’s Shadow, Brinkley Press, written by Martin Knight-Yeager.  When Oliver discovers his shadow disappears as soon as the light goes out, he decides his shadow must be afraid of the dark. Joined by favorite bear, Watson, they set out to find his shadow. This heartwarming tale of Oliver's misguided first impression about his shadow's disappearance leads them both to explore the unknown. Yet, it also allows the reader to explore a bit more about the fears we all face. As Oliver decides his shadow must be fearful of the dark, he also shares his concerns about being alone.   I’m Making a Wish, Tootsie and Teed, written by Linda Teed. One little girl’s travels in her grandfather’s car evoke an overflow of emotions that remain deeply woven in her heart. Years later, she recalls those early days as she makes new memories with her husband, children, and grandchildren. I’m Making a Wish is a tribute to all those that enjoy the simplicity of time spent together and the memories that are created for a lifetime.In development:  A Magic Stick Box, by author Michael Kujawa.  Release date TBD 2025Erin Richardson Designswww.erinrichardsondesigns.comIG: @erinrichardsondesigns21Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of interviewing Sheree Tomba, children's book author and illustrator. She's also an agency sib!Here is more about Sheree:Sheree's award winning art career was solidified at age 6 when she took home the $10 grand prize from the local grocery store coloring competition. She has since expanded from crayons and especially enjoys working in graphite, acrylic, and digital media. Her time studying theater at New York University taught her how to tell a story using color, space, and shape. She sees picture books a lot like a piece of theater - a chance to bring the audience into a different world and give them an experience through story. Sheree has loved animals since she was a little girl and they often show up in her work. Her list of former pets includes a Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, a Giant African Millipede, and some very cuddly guinea pigs. When she isn't riding her bike, she can be found at home in Dallas, Texas with her dog, cat, and more often than not, a litter of foster kittens.Represented by Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary Agency.Link to Sheree's website!

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of interviewing Shelley Hanmo, illustrator. Here is more about Shelley:Hi Everyone, I interviewed the lovely Shelley Hanmo, illustrator. I love Shelley's paper collage art. Here is more about Shelley!Shelley Hanmo is a self-taught illustrator specialized in hand-cut paper art. Since the launch of her art studio Junonia Arts in 2020, Shelley has worked with clients throughout the US, creating children's book illustrations, editorial art, product illustrations, and more. As a paper collage artist, Shelley loves exploring different possibilities of colors, shapes, layers, and textures in pieces of paper. She incorporates watercolor, colored pencils, and digital mediums into the final illustrations. Shelley’s artistic inspirations often come from her life experience as a woman of color, immigrant, professional musician, as well as her love for nature and conservation. Therefore, you will find lots of fun characters and quirky stories in her illustrations. In addition, Shelley teaches paper cut art courses and workshops across the country, including workshops at Brooklyn Art Library, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis Public Library, Lotus World Music & Arts Festival, and more. She recently designed a self-guided kids art activity for Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields that celebrates botanical plants through creating hand-cut paper art.Shelley is a member of SCBWI and Illustrators For Hire. She is represented by Marietta B Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency for children’s books.You may visit Shelley's website at: ⁠https://www.junoniaarts.com⁠ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today is the lovely, Jasmine Fang, kidlit author. Here is more about Jasmine:Jasmine Fang (she/her) is a Taiwanese American writer and civil servant. She started writing poetry in high school and later performed spoken word in coffee shops. With a deep commitment to community building and amplifying minority voices, Jasmine's work reflects her motto to "livekind." Her book Beneath The Same Round Moon will be published in Fall 2026.Visit Jasmine's website or Instagram!Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Chris Tebbetss, MG and YA author. Chris Tebbetts is an award winning author and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Middle School series with James Patterson and the Stranded series with Jeff Probst. He has also written two YA novels (Me, Myself, and Him), the adult thriller 1st Case (with James Patterson), and the middle grade fantasy-adventure series The Viking. Check out Chris' website and Instagram! Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! I had a lovely chat with Claudia Restrepo, artist and art teacher based out of Atlanta, GA. Here is more about Claudia. Is an Artist, art educator, and intrepid traveler with a passion for exploring the world and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, Claudia has embarked on numerous journeys that have shaped her artistic vision and enriched her soul. She has sold and shown her work in galleries all over the world. See Claudia's work: https://www.instagram.com/claudiarestrepoart/ The After Math blog post about Claudia and her work. https://aftermath.blog/2019/10/23/claudia-restrepo-the-organic-artist/

Hi Everyone! I got to interview Rashad Doucet, author and illustrator of award-winning GN! Here is more about Rashad. Rashad Doucet is from New Orleans by way of Eunice and Ville Platte, Louisiana. He’s been drawing comics since his grandma gave him a pencil and some paper to keep quiet during church. Rashad is currently a professor of sequential art in Savannah, Georgia, where he can often be found listening to K-pop and watching way too much anime. See Rashad's work! Rashad's IG. Thanks for listening!

Hi, Everyone; my guest today is Kristy Boyce, an accomplished YA author. Here is more about Kristy: Kristy Boyce is the nationally bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama, Hot British Boyfriend, and Hot Dutch Daydream. She teaches psychology as a senior lecturer at The Ohio State University. When she’s not spending time with her husband and son, she’s usually writing, reading, or watching happy reality TV. Visit Kristy's website Kristy's IG Thanks for listening!

Hi, everyone. Today, I'm discussing what I've learned about Korean culture through Korean language classes. How language shapes the way we think | Lera Boroditsky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKK7wGAYP6k Korea Society Language Classes https://www.koreasociety.org/online-language To see my work, visit: https://www.nmillerillustration.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, today my guest is a return guest Benson Shum, children's book author and illustrator of Anzu the Great Kaju and Mooncakes Mean Family. Here is more about Benson: Benson Shum is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. He uses watercolor and ink to create his illustrations. His books, Anzu the Great Listener & Anzu the Great Kaiju were awarded for Outstanding Achievement in Social Emotional Literature (SEL) by the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California (CLCSC). Aside from writing and illustrating, Benson is also an Animation Supervisor at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Visit Benson's Website. Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today is Noelle, and she is a YA author and has some exciting projects brewing. Here is more about her: Noelle Monét is a Queer, Jewish, Black-biracial registered nurse and author living in the South. In the summers she co-owns a beachside ice cream store with her partner. In the off-season, she spends her time with her three children playing in the dirt and hunting down the perfect diner grilled cheese. When she’s not writing, she’s probably reading, abandoning a new hobby, or sitting on her porch counting the Mississippis during a storm and watching the lightning bugs dance. Noelle's website Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, My guest today is DK Ryland, children's book author and illustrator. Here is more about DK: DK is the picture book author/illustrator of GIRAFFE IS TOO TALL FOR THIS BOOK which was a Target Book Club book of the month. She loves to draw animals and nature and enjoys quirky and subversive humor. Before becoming an author/illustrator, DK filmed wildlife in Africa, was a collegiate All-American and professional athlete, and taught middle school English. DK received a PBChat mentorship with Cori Doerrfeld in 2019 and was a PBParty finalist in 2020. When not writing and illustrating, you can find DK going on adventures with her husband and two kids, playing pickleball, or reading a book. Her next picture book, HAVE YOU SEEN MY ACORN? releases in August 2024.  Visit DK's site for more info: https://dkryland.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today is Shanda McCloskey. Here is more about Shanda: Shanda (rhymes with panda) McCloskey comes from a whole family of different kinds of artists and entrepreneurs! She studied art in Atlanta and New York City. But before writing and illustrating kids books, she taught art to high-schoolers. Shanda now lives in Ball Ground, Georgia with her husband, daughters, and dog. She is also co-creator of the Author Visit Podcast and Author Visit Central. Shanda's website Author Visit Podcast Author Visit Central Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today my guest is Kaitlyn Sanchez, children's book author and agent. Here is more about Kaitlyn: Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is a mom, wife, literary agent, middle school math teacher, and picture book author. She's also the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. Kaitlyn's Website: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/ Another interview about her work as a literary agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0hO9xuMmxc Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My special guest today is Monica Acker, children's book author and agency sib at Bradford Literary Agency. More about Monica. Monica Acker is a writer and educator. She holds a BA in creative arts and a MAT degree in childhood education. Monica is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and Children's Book Insider. She lives in Reading, Massachusetts, with her family. She is the author of Brave Like Mon published by Beaming Book. Visit Monica's website: https://www.monicaacker.com/ Monica's IG Monica's Twitter Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! Today, I'm talking about the wonderful writers' retreat that I attended at the Highlights Foundation Barn. Here is a link to learn more. Highlights Foundation Retreats Brandon Sanderson Lectures for Writing SF and Fantasy Jed Herne Questions for Readers Thanks for listening!

Hi everyone! My guest today is Neha Rawat is a children's book illustrator from India. She graduated and worked as a software engineer for five years, after which I started my freelance illustration career. Her clients include Harper Collins, Candlewick Press, and Running Press. Neha's site Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone, I interviewed Ali Terese, children's book author of Free Period. Here is more about Ali: Ali Terese writes funny and heartfelt middle grade and YA stories. FREE PERIOD (Scholastic Press – March 5, 2024) is her debut novel. It is a middle grade story of friendship and period equity complete with laugh-out-loud shenanigans, delightfully disgusting desserts, and some world-changing crafts. The fun continues in Fall 2025 when Ali launches her next middle grade comedy VOTES FOR G.O.A.T.S with Aladdin / S&S. Ali's site Ali's IG Ali's suggested resources: Gwen Hayes was the craft book author I blanked on yesterday - this book is teensy and perfect! https://www.romancingthebeat.com/. And Michael Hauge is the screenwriting teacher with the six-turning points outline :) https://storymastery.com/ Thanks for listening!

Hi Everyone! My guest today is Xin Lin, children's book author and illustrator. Here is more about her. Xin (Sheen) Li is an illustrator and writer. After spending half of her life living in countries outside of her homeland, Xin chose to paint and write, as stories help her to make sense of a world that otherwise is often lost in translation. I Lived Inside a Whale is her debut picture book as author and illustrator. Additionally, Xin also illustrated You and the Universe, a picture book written by Professor Stephen Hawking and his daughter Lucy Hawking. Xin's website Xin IG Thank you for listening!