‘A picture is worth a thousand words’. To condense a whole story into just one picture can seem impossible to the untrained mind, but every day, artists find their way into doing so.

I find myself doing anything and everything possible to make these stories come to fruition, and asking myself a variety of questions before being able to fully commit to a piece of work- what elements could be used to make this illustration cohesive? How many frames and at what angle may portray the mood of this animated scene most effectively? How will the framing of this panel affect the comprehensibility and the flow of this page of the comic? How can I get across how I feel to the viewer?

The process of finding that answer is never easy. The only way to do so is to pour everything you have into making art. Getting covered in the medium, whether it be ink, paint, charcoal, or simply having nothing left in your brain except your artwork, is part of the process. For me, it really can help tell the story of devotion and dedication I have to my craft. 

I’m never afraid to get a little bit dirty for art. In some cases, it may be humorous, but in others, I realize it may not be the best choice to wear my favorite shirt to work in screen printing. But each splatter, each drop and oopsie tells a story, and within that story is my artwork. I wear those splashes and splatters of color with pride, as my art is a part of me, and that splatter is a part of my outfit.

No matter when or where I find myself making art, I love experimenting with new processes, trying a new medium, testing new brushes, expanding on pre-existing skills, and so much more. Each new piece is a test of what I can do, and what I am willing to try in order to succeed. 

In my opinion, the fame and fortune of success means nothing if I can’t see the impact that my work brings to the people it connects with. In the digital era, it's hard to always connect with these people, but showing up at my booth or stall to support me means the world and so much more. Hearing about the effect that my work has on them, the excitement and enthusiasm they bring and their willingness to learn about the process and how my work has inspired them to learn and to try. 

And if you inspire others to do that much, didn’t you already succeed as an artist?