Hi Everyone! Today my special guest is children's book author and illustrator Caitlyn Notaro. Here is a bit about Caitlyn: In 4th grade, Caitlyn Notaro was asked to create her dream pet during art class. Instead of a dog or cat, she created a purple spotted fire-breathing dragon out of clay. Once she realized she had a knack for imagining, she never looked back. Fast forward many years, and Caitlyn is now an Author/illustrator in Upstate, New York, where she lives in an old Victorian home with her husband and vivacious toddler. She loves creating soft, yet cinematic worlds for children to visit in the form of picture books. Caitlyn is a member of SCBWI, and facilitator for her local SCBWI monthly network meetups Caitlyn is now represented by Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

Her website: http://caitlyn-knepka.squarespace.com/
Instagram: Silent K Design and Twitter
Thanks for listening!

It's funny I have a hard time explaining what I do for my illustration technique, so I decided to make a video detailing the process. It is like a behind the scenes peak at the illustrations before I shoot them. 

It is funny how I've had some people wonder your illustrations look like they are real. Yes! Everything was made by me. There is the rare case I use some pre-made materials. I did buy fake snow. Most everything is hand cut, sewn, crocheted, woven, and painted. I get a lot of personal satisfaction from making everything in my own tiny illustrated worlds. 

Young children never question why I work like this. Instead I get "That is so COOL!"  I think at the end of the day do what you LOVE with the work you create. People notice when do you do things for the joy of it.

Happy Illustrating!

Hi Everyone! I interviewed previous guest, Jennifer Greive, lettering artist and designer about her new job at American Greetings as an inhouse designer. Here is more about Jennifer.

Hello my name is Jennifer Greive, I am an Ohio Based Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Hand Lettering Artist specializing in t-shirt design, stationery, stickers and enamel pins. My personal brand Fueled By Letters was born from my love for Typography and Hand Lettering. If you follow me on instagram, a lot of my work revolves around mental health awareness and positivity, inspiring other artists to reach their dreams. 

https://www.fueledbyletters.com/about

​Listen to the interview on My Creative Life!

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of speaking to Deborah Kelly, a children's book author and a member of my writer's critique group. Deborah is a retired school psychologist and put a lot of heart into her writing for picture books. Please like and subscribe to the podcast. 

I joined Storyteller Academy and met Becky Lance. She is a wonderful critique leader for our group! I have learned so much from her and the things I can do to improve my writing. I wanted to share the chat we had about how she started on the path to becoming an author.

Link to the interview:
My Creative Life Becky Lance

Thank you for listening!

To see Becky's work on IG.
https://www.instagram.com/beckylancekidlit/

I had the honor of creating an illustration for a real super hero kid for the super hero project. They are a nonprofit that connect artists with children that have a disability or disease. It's a great cause. Here is more about them from their website.

Visit their site: https://www.superheroprojectkids.org/about-us
They are currently looking for artists to pair with a super hero kid. They have a contact page you can reach out them. 

I was pleased to interview June Jo Lee, children's book co-author of Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix, and Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild (Published by Readers to Eaters) for this My Creative Life Podcast episode.

I was fascinated with the discussion of how she integrates her food ethnography with her love of children's books. I wanted to learn more about writing a nonfiction children's book with a co-author. Learned a lot!

To learn more about the books visit Reader to Eaters.
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Link to the interview: https://lnkd.in/eDVa22aR

Thanks for listening!
Please like and subscribe.
#podcast #mycreativelifepodcast

My illustration of a family having a Korean BBQ was selected for the August SCBWI Draw This prompt! SCBWI Draw chose Allison Strick and Sanne Dufft. It is an honor to be included!

Here is their websites: 
Allison Strick
Sanne Dufft
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Hi Everyone! I spoke with Morgan Huff, a children's book author and illustrator, and she was kind enough to share her creative process and journey in this interview. She has such a wonderful heart and perspective about the work we create as artists. Here is a bit about Morgan:
Morgan is a children's book illustrator and author based in the Pacific Northwest. I write and illustrate picture books as well as graphic novels for middle-grade audiences. Her clients include; Dreamworks TV, Harper Collins, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Zondervan Kids.

Link to My Creative Life Interview.
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To see her work visit:
https://www.morgansketch.com/
https://twitter.com/artofmorgan
https://www.instagram.com/morgansketch/
Thanks for listening!