A Pet Bandana for Black History Month

A few weeks ago, Blue Buffalo approached me to create this month’s pet bandana celebrating Black History Month, and I gladly obliged.

As a lover of patterns, I wanted to create a fun and festive design that honors black heritage with our favorite four-legged companions. Inspired by the colors red, black, green, and yellow because of their rich symbolism, I used these colors primarily throughout the bandana’s design.

The colors Red to represent the history, Black for our shared identity, Green for the connection to Mother Earth, and Yellow for the prosperity of African diaspora, were pivotal for honoring black history. And marigold as the background, of course, because it’s one of my favorite colors.

A huge thanks to Blue Buffalo for entrusting me to design this bandana. I sincerely hope pet lovers enjoy it as much as me and my dog, Gracie, do!

2019 Fall Letters and Lines Conference in Denver!

A few weeks ago I had the most wonderful time presenting at the SCBWI Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Fall Letters and Lines Conference in Denver, Colorado!

A group photo of our vision boards after our Illustrator Intensive on Sunday

I gave a seminar about planning for one’s Ideal Illustrating Career and another about strengthening one’s creative muscle, an art intensive about the importance of having your own business plan as a creative entrepreneur, and some portfolio advice to a few budding illustrators.

Some really cool sketches made by Brittany, aka @carrotpencils while the speakers were presenting.

You know what made this conference even more special? It was my very first speaking gig! It’s always been a goal of mine, to share my growing pains as a kidlit illustrator to help others on their path, and I finally got the chance to do just that. Yes, I had a few nervous jitters and some butterlies in my stomach, but the experience was so worthwhile.  

Of course, there were a few things I wished I had done differently but I sincerely hope the participants who attended were able to get something valuable from my experience and advice. :)

Some books I bought at the conference that I can’t wait to read. :)

A huge thank you to all of the SCBWI members in the Rocky Mountain chapter and to the rest of the faculty for making 2019’s Letters and Lines such a memorable event! And thanks, Kaz Windness, for all the selfies you took when I forgot my phone in the conference room! :)