The crazy thing about kids is that they have an uncanny ability to imagine whole worlds—while sitting in an empty old box. They can see it and it becomes as real to them as life itself.
Author Archives: jay
Coloring Contest
Over at my TomyandJon.com site we have announced a Coloring Contest.
Villainizing the Innocent
The villain’s role of helping to define the hero is an essential element of every tale. In many stories, the villain is a witch, dragon, ogre, etc. In some stories, it is a toy, child, animal, or other “non-evil” character. But, villains are a necessary evil. They help the reader understand good by contrast. They …
Visual Voice
What is visual voice?
In a nutshell: it is my individual expression that people see in my art. Some artists find their visual voice early on in their life. Some take years to mold and grow. I am in the later category. I know what I like, I know what I want, but getting it to work the way I want and like—well, I am still not there.
Stop Apologizing
Several weeks ago, I sent an email to an illustrator that I have been following to gain inspiration as I return to illustrating. I wanted to share my book with him, but I was nervous about what he would say, what he would thing of my writing, and what we would think of my art. I struggled with the “If you don’t want to…” sentence. In the end I forewent the apology and chose to turn it around a bit. The return email was kind and contained a positive response to my work. My fear proved to be unnecessary.
The Adventures of Tomy and Jon
It has been a awhile since I was able to really focus on writing here. I have been focused on completing the next issue of The Adventures of Tomy and Jon.
Favorite Artists
Favorite artists can be a troublesome lot. It’s not their fault really, but they mess with us. They get into our work and tangle up our natural tendencies. Why? Because we let them. There are several things that we need to recall as we look to our favorites. They may have talents we don’t yet …
What Every New Artist/Writer Needs
It seems a bit contradictory to write, “don’t compare yourself” but then to write, “realize that there are artists already doing it that aren’t very good”. Why would I do such a thing?
Artistic Insecurity
To the up-and-coming writer or illustrator (I’ll refer to us as artists henceforth), Don’t Panic. (I know that relaxed you a bit.) You will figure out a lot, of what I am about to write, on your own. Though, I am writing you to tell you a bit sooner than later—hopefully. We (artists) all suck. …
