A little self reflection...

Drawing myself can be challenging but when I draw myself in my illustration style I have fun because I think of all the little things that I could add to make it uniquely me. I had to have my cats up in my business, trying to walk over my artwork or get my attention in some way. I added my art materials haphazardly strewn about the table to capture my process when I paint. I added small pinned up versions of my completed works, some that you might recognize.. I made sure to add an artist stereotype of a black beret in my hair. And I made my expression a friendly and laughing one because I love to laugh.

When I draw portraits of people I like to know as much as I can about their personality and unique traits so I can capture the perfect mix of all those things that make that person stand out to others. I love when people look at an illustration and point out everything they notice that is "So that person!". My illustrations are not about making the portrait look just like someone, it is more about getting to the heart of what makes that person special and recognizable as uniquely them.