Messy Art Teacher

Update 2022

There has been so much that has happened since I last made a post on this blog. I finished my MFA and started a new teaching position. I have spent the past 2 years improving my portfolio to work in the children’s book market and even started writing stories for children. I decided it was time to return to the blogosphere, add new art lessons, and share my art and how I’ve improved as an artist. I appreciate the support I’ve gotten from the art teacher community.

On to 2023 for a bigger and brighter year!

5.15 Online Schools

On this episode I’m going to discuss some of the online school options for illustration. I did my own illustration boot camp last summer by taking classes on these online schools. I felt like I didn’t have time during classes to brush up on the areas I was weak in. Here are the links below for the 3 online schools I tried.

New Masters Academy https://www.nma.art/
Schoolism https://www.schoolism.com/
SVS Learn https://www.svslearn.com/

This review is based on my personal experience. Everyone is different and some people don’t need a formal art education to be successful. As an art teacher, I’ve seen some really skilled high school students if given the right direction an online program might be a great option for them. These online programs are a great place to start.

To listen visit My Creative Life.

5.14 Adam Strickland, Animator

I interviewed fellow SCAD student Adam Strickland. Adam is a talented graduate animation student that I met during art criticism class. Here is a little more about Adam.

I have several years of motion graphics and graphic design experience. My primary services are creating motion graphics for online advertisements and graphic design for print and digital media. I also do storyboarding, writing, voice narration, and video editing.

Check out his Demo Reel! It’s excellent work!

It was inspiring to speak with Adam. Listen to his interview on My Creative Life.

#animator #animation #adamstrickland #mycreativelifepodcast

5.13 Samantha Cotterill, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator

samantha cotterill childrens book author and illustrator, my creative life podcast with Nancy Miller

I came across Samantha Cotterill’s work will in my graduate class and fell in love with how she creates these magical 3D worlds. I was honored to be able to interview her and learn more about her process. Here is a bit about Samantha Cotterill.

Samantha Cotterill is an award winning picture book author and illustrator of many books for children. Samantha has been featured in The New York Times (as illustrator for Just Add Glitter, written by Angela Diterlizzi) and The Wall Street Journal for her art in The Jinx and The Doom Fight Crime! (written by Lisa Mantchev). She has recently launched a book series for kids on the Autism spectrum and/or with sensory issues entitled Little Senses, with This Beach Is Loud! chosen for Dolly Parton’s 2020 book list for The Imagination Library. Samantha is represented by Kirsten Hall of Catbird, and works out of her studio in Upstate New York where she lives with her husband and two teenage sons.

To see her work visit.

https://www.samanthacotterill.com/

To listen to the interview visit My Creative Life.

5.08 Caroline Hanlon, Illustrator

On this episode, I have fellow grad illustration student Caroline Hanlon on my podcast. Here is a little bit more about Caroline. My name is Caroline Marie Hanlon. I was born in Washington, DC in 1995, and grew up in Maryland – where you can still find me happily exploring.I’m a Summa Cum Laude alumni from Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration and a focus in Animation. I’m influenced by everyday life and the world surrounding me. My work is filled with whimsicalness, with a hint of an underlying reality. When I’m not illustrating, I’m usually eating vegan food or walking about.To see Caroline work visit www.carolinehanlon.comIG Caroline.Imagines

Listen on My Creative Life.

#carolinehanlon #illustration #illustration #mycreativelifepodcast

5.07 JaVon Townsend, Aspiring Children’s Book Illustrator and Author

javon townsend illustration my creative life podcast

I met JaVon through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Critique Session. Her story was inspiring and I wanted to learn more about her and her aspirations to become a children’s book illustrator and author. I thought it would be interesting to hear from someone who is starting out in the industry today and what they have learned. To see her art visit

IG javonmakesart

Listen to the interview on My Creative Life.

#illustration #childrensbooks #javontownsend #illustrator #author

5.06 Yevhenia Haidamaka, Professor and Illustrator

Yev Haidamaka illustrator my creative life podcast

I always say I’m excited to interview my guests, but I’m super excited to have my illustration Professor Yevhenia Haidamaka on today. She is also a full-time freelance illustrator I love her work in children’s books. Here is more about Professor Yev. Yev Haidamaka is an award-winning illustrator working for clients in Publishing, Editorial, Advertising, and more. Professor of Illustration and Foundation studies at SCAD. Fulbright Alumna, TEDx speaker, Red Dot Award recipient. Yev is based in Ukraine, inspired by slow life and nature.

Yev Haidamaka illustrator my creative life podcast 2

Her illustration work is whimsical and nostalgic, focused on the beauty of little things around.Highlighted clients: World Health Organization, Boston Globe, Amnesty International, Lenovo, Corriere della Sera, Reader’s Digest, European Union Association, Old Lion Publishing, Thomson Foundation, Callisto, HMH, TimbuktuTo see her work visit www.yevhaidamaka.com IG Yev Haidamaka

Listen to the interview on My Creative Life.

#illustrator #yevhaidamaka #childrensbooks #illustration #mycreativelifepodcast

5.05 Yiyi Chen, Illustrator

yiyi chen illustration my creative life podcast

Today I have Yiyi Chen an illustration student and enjoyed the tips she shared with her use of color and concept. Her finished pieces are digital but use traditional techniques for the textures.

To see more of Yiyi’s work visit

Yiyi Chen Instagram

Yiyi Chen’s Website

Listen to the interview on My Creative Life.

5.04 Maggie Roth, Artist

In this episode, I have a return guest Maggie Roth (Episode 3.12) , and she talks about how she has transitioned from a full time artist. She gives some great advice about what it was like and things she learned in the process. Here is more about Maggie:Maggie Roth is a Pennsylvania based artist. She received her B.F.A in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art & Design ‘19. Maggie is passionate about illustrative/cartoon drawings and abstract minimalist line art. The line art is focused on exploring complexity through simplicity. To see more of her work

https://www.maggieroth.com/IG MaggieRoth_

Listen to the interview at My Creative Life.

#maggieroth #mycreativelifepodcast #artist

5.03 Chinmayee Bagade, Illustrator

Chinmayee Bagade, illustrator,
my creative life podcast

I interviewed fellow illustration student Chinmayee Bagade. She is a talented illustrator, photographer, and designer. She is originally from India and we happened to be in an illustration course this past quarter. It was lovely getting to know her. To view more of her work visit. https://www.instagram.com/chinmayee_bagade/
Website: https://chinmayeeb.com/

Listen to the interview on My Creative Life.

#illustration #illustrator #mycreativelifepodcast #chinmayeebagade