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love in the leaves

I had the privilege of creating this custom illustration for a lovely couple who will marry this fall. I’ve been buried under deadlines and at times unsatisfying work. Drawing this reminded me why I love my job.

Next week I will be at Denver Comicon as their special guest, I will participate on a slew of panels as well as have an artist alley table and I’m excited to share that my office manager, Nickole, will have her original art there as well! I will kick of the weekend with a presentation at the Denver public library on Thursday. If you’re around the area, I’d love to see you!

I hope you have a great week!

eagle beach

I finished this custom illustration before the holidays. A sweet husband asked me to create art of his wife with their two dogs walking in Alaska. We had met last year when I was there for the Alaska Robotics Mini Con. I absolutely loved drawing her, their dogs and the beauty of snow capped mountains.

It’d been awhile since I completed my last commission partly due to schedule and partly because I held off on them. I stopped because I felt that I needed to personally know the person to create. There’s an intimacy in drawing a custom piece. I study the person’s photos, learn about them through a friend or partner.  And a few years ago, I wasn’t comfortable with the level of pressure that I placed upon myself when completing that task.

Now, I’m aware that my growth as an artist allows me to create these pieces with ease. Creating custom art is joyful and exciting. I learn about people, their love for each other and get a rare glimpse into their lives. It feels like I’m learning to love them through each email, photo and line I draw. Every sketch, painting, comic or illustration teaches me. Sometimes it’s technical – about anatomy or value. Sometimes it’s a challenge to draw an animal or environment I’ve never drawn before. In the case of commissions, it teaches me again and again that love is everywhere. In a photo, a story or in a drawing.

I hope you have a lovely week.