Why did you become a children’s illustrator?

I’ve been drawing since I was tiny, since before I can remember.

I have dyslexia, ADD, and mild OCD, so writing and reading have always been difficult for me. Drawing has always been an essential tool in my life. It was how I expressed myself, and it helps me communicate, make friends, and gain the confidence I would lose in school.

I became fascinated with child brain development after a class I took in college. However, brain development as a whole in children, teens, and adults is something I have always been fascinated by. I would love to incorporate concepts I learn to encourage healthy growth in the work I make for children.

What project are you most proud of? What do children learn or understand from it? Why is that important?

One of my recent projects I’m really proud of is meant for teen girls. It’s a YouTube TV Mini-Series called “Hot Summer Daze.” The show is produced by Erika Lust, an influential woman I really admire. She is a female provocateur and erotic film director, creating a new world of indie adult cinema.

The show “Hot Summer Daze” is meant to open up conversations around cultural stigma towards female sexuality and address complicated issues such as the shaming around topics like female masturbation.

What are you itching to draw or illustrate next?

I would love to publish my first narrative-based children’s book. I plan to develop it as an ebook with moving images for kids to stream.

Another near-future goal of mine is to pitch my first cartoon concept to networks by the name of “Viking Dwarf Bakery.” I’m very nervous about this, but I’m excited about how it will force me to push through my fear of public speaking.

Tell us about your latest project. Where can it be purchased?

I recently published a papercraft book called A Flower Sniffer’s Book Of Paper Craft available to download in my website’s shop and available as a paperback book on Amazon!

I really enjoyed crafting paper when I was tiny. It’s felt like that has become less acceptable or maybe less popular as I’ve gotten older.

I made A Flower Sniffer’s Book Of Paper Craft for people my age, people like me who just want to make a mess with paper.