This page will continually be updated with more questions and answers as they come up.
Do you take commissions?
I am not taking commissions at this time.
I’m looking for an artist to illustrate my book cover. Are you available?
If you are self-publishing your book, you can e-mail me to discuss the project. If you have a publisher, have your editor reach out to my agent, Patrice Caldwell.
I’m interested in hiring you as a storyboard artist/character designer for an animated project. Are you interested?
Please e-mail me to discuss the project.
Can I hire you to illustrate my graphic novel/picture book/TV pitch/etc.?
Please submit your request to my agent, Patrice Caldwell.
I’m taking a class and one of my assignments is to interview an artist. Can I interview you?
I’m sorry, but I do not do interviews for class assignments. If you’re writing a report or presentation on a working artist and would like to use me as a subject, you can use my website as a resource. Go to my media kit page to find my bio, awards and honors, and interviews where I talk about my life and work. You can also check out essays and articles I have written, or my blog. Alternatively, your school is welcome to invite me to speak to your class. Talk to your teacher or librarian if you would like to request me as a speaker.
I have an idea for an animated show. Can you animate it?
Sorry, I’m not an animator by trade. If you’re looking to animate a show idea, your best bet is to 1) reach out to an independent animation studio or production company that has the resources to produce an animated series, or 2) pitch directly to larger animation studios. You can find helpful information on the business side of animation by watching Eric Calderon’s YouTube series Surviving Animation.
How do I find an illustrator to illustrate my project?
There are a number of existing databases you can use to find illustrators. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Women Who Draw
- Cartoonists of Color
- Queer Cartoonists Database
- Disabled Cartoonists Database
- #DrawingWhileBlack Database (fill out and submit form to request access)
You can also use social media to find artists. Try Twitter (check out @sffpocartists and #kidlitart) or Instagram.
Lastly, portfolio networks like DeviantArt, Behance, ArtStation, and Carbonmade can be great places to look for illustrators.
I want to be a published author. Can you introduce me to agents or editors?
Sorry, I can’t. If you’re an illustrator looking for a literary agent, you can check out the Literary Agents for Illustrators Directory for information on querying.
How do I become an illustrator?
or
My spouse/friend/loved one wants to be an illustrator. How do they get started?
The first place I’d start is getting familiar with the wide world of illustration markets. Where do you want to see your illustrations?
Children’s books?
Novel covers?
Magazines?
Animation?
Video games?
Product packaging?
Greeting cards?
Tabletop game cards?
Once you have a focus, research the industry. Find the companies that hire for the work you want to do and the artists that are already doing that work. Learn the norms of the industry, the caliber of work that gets hired, and how to develop your skill.
Here are a few online resources to help you learn more about art industries and how to find work:
- The Art Corner
- Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists
- Drawn and Drafted
- The Dream Foundry
- Graphic Novel TK
- Muddy Colors
- Pictures Mean Business
Some artists who share helpful information:
- Anoosha Syed’s Blog and YouTube
- BaM Animation
- Laura Price
- Natalie Nourigat
- Surviving Animation
You might need to take classes to improve your craft. Here are a few online schools:
- Schoolism
- CG Spectrum
- Chris Oatley Academy
- CG Master Academy
- Concept Design Academy (located in Pasadena, CA, but some classes are currently online)
I’m an aspiring writer/illustrator. Can you mentor me?
I offer mentorships on a periodic basis. You can check the status on the mentorship page. If I’m not currently open to mentorships, there may be other mentorship programs available for you to check out. I’ve provided a few links below.
- Comics Mentor Directory: Gale Galligan maintains a spreadsheet of artists who have kindly offered their time and expertise for comics mentorships.
- SFWA Mentoring Initiative: If you write science fiction and/or fantasy, SFWA offers a program for members and non-members alike.
- POC in Publishing: a mentorship program for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) writers and illustrators.
- We Need Diverse Books: a mentorship program for marginalized writers and illustrators.