Interview curtosy of Patience Brewster

Recently ive been asked to answer a few questions about myself and the illustrations I create. Patience brewster is an amazing company run by a family of artists that create christmas ornaments. I highly recommend checking them out. One of their goals is to better know artists for artists appreciation month. Its a way to advertise each other and better know different artists with very different and unique skills. So let's get this rollling so everyone can have a better insight about who I am and what Ive been up to as of lately.

1. As a child, do you recall a significant moment when you felt truly affected or inspired by any particular artwork or artist?

This is a pretty common question that ive heard often. Its always a curious thing to find out why someone would choose art. I wish I could say I came across a beautiful painting in a muesam or a family member gave me the most amazing book ive ever seen. Didnt happen exactly that way for me. When I was younger my mother collected almost a hundred Golden books. My absolute favorite was a joke book. Its pretty corny and downright lame to read. But i gained an attachment to it. The illustrations are rediculous and hallarious. 

2. As an artist, what do you hope to convey with your work?

My main focus is the children book market. It took me a long time to really figure out why or what I wanted to convey amongst children. About a year after college I started a journey of getting my health together. I was just testing the waters of a possible gluten allergy and a way I coped with giving certain foods up was by painting them. After a year of this I really started to reflect on how I felt as a child growing up with gastrointestinal problems. Not just painful stomach achs but the feeling of isolation and alienation that came with it. As a result all my work is directly food related and im currently working on a series of books explaining different food allergies and immune disorders. 

3. What memorable responses have you had to your work?

Ive had lots of compliments and good feedback expecialy with my cookie logo but im still waiting for that big moment. The moment when I know ive affected someone with my stories. That somehow a child could relate with similar issues ive had in the past and not feel so alone. 

4. What is your dream project?

My dream project is currently in the works. Its been a big reason why my blog has been so empty in the last year. There's so much I would love to explain about it but right now its on the queit side till I decide to approuch an agent or go to a publishing house with it. I have lists and query letters all over the place! I can say that its a series of immune disorders and allergies. The first book is called "Just add Ginger". This book explains Celiac without all the medical terms and a little less obvious then bread. Ive found more gluten in toothpaste and candy then in bread. Oh the irony. Here's a sketch of the main character just to give an idea of how it will look. 

5. What artists, of any medium, do you admire? 

At this point theres so many amazing illustrators Ive come across it's so difficult to narrow it down! I guess in the last two years here are some artists that have greatly inspired me and I hope to be more like them. 

- Loish
- Molly idle
- Brittney Lee
-Alina Chau