My Creative Life By Nancy Miller

This season I have many more illustrators since I've been focusing on children's books. It is exciting to have Jamie Zollars on the podcast. Here is a bit about Jamie.  JAIME ZOLLARS began making art at a young age, but her illustration career didn't take off until second grade, when she started drawing unicorns on friends’ Trapper Keepers for shiny nickels. She went on to draw local library brochures and elaborate student council campaign ephemera, quickly sealing her fate. To make it official, Jaime spent seven years in college, earning a BA in photography from UMBC in 1999, and a BFA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design in 2003. While waiting for her first illustration jobs, Jaime worked as an extra on movie sets, tried out for every game show imaginable, and went for runs on the beach, because this is what people do in Los Angeles. Five game show appearances and a first (and last) marathon later - she was making art full-time. Jaime has illustrated children’s books, magazines, newspa

Hi Everyone, Season 5 is here! I wanted to thank everyone that stops by and listens to the podcast. The artists and creatives I've interviewed have been so kind as to share their stories. This season I have the following guests: 1. 1/3/21 Jamie Zollars, Children's Book Writer and Illustrator, @jaimezollarsart 2. 1/10/21 Robin Martéa, Illustrator, @robinmartea 3. 1/17/21 Chinmayee Bagade, Illustrator, @chinmayee_bagade 4. 1/24/21 Maggie Roth, Artist, @maggieroth_ 5. 1/31/21 Yiyi Chen, Illustrator, @yiyich_chen 6. 2/7/21 Yevhenia Haidamaka, Professor/Illustrator, @yevhaidamaka 7. 2/14/21 JaVon Townsend, Aspiring Children's Book Writer/Illustrator, @javonmakesart 8. 2/28/21 Caroline Hanlon, Illustrator, @caroline.imagines 9. 3/7/21 Reema Zoumut, Animation Teacher, @bolsagrande_animation 10. 3/14/21 Heather Tietz and Myself, Applesauce Books, @applesaucebooks_ 11. 3/20/21 Ryan Bird and Stephanie Bott, Toy Designer Bird Bott Toys, @birdbotttoys 12. 3/28/21 Nikita Prokohova, Professor/Graphic Designer, @typebynikit

On this episode of My Creative Life, I decided to make it a reflection on what I've learned from interviewing all these wonderful creatives. Thanks for listening please like and subscribe.

I had the opportunity to visit the studio of John and Linda Jensen. They are two generous art professors and fine artists. I have to say the put the "FINE" in fine arts. Truly fine people. Both are highly prolific creators in their own discipline. John Jensen is a ceramic artist. During my art education classes at Armstrong Atlantic State University, I was required to take ceramics. Armstrong is now known as Georgia Southern University (GSU). I am so glad I did. He not only taught me a great deal about ceramics but as a teacher creating a great classroom culture. When you walk into his class you see a diversity in the age and abilities of the students and he encourages and teaches in a way that connects with each person. That's really hard to do as a teacher. His classroom had a zen-like quality to it, and it made you want to spend as much time as possible in the studio learning. Mr. Jensen ceramic pieces vary from thrown pieces that are delicately carved to full-size sculptures memorializing his friends and

Up next is Mrs. Linda Jensen is a photographer and retired art professor. She has taught art education and photography classes at GSU. I can only describe her work as beautiful ethereal photographic mixed media pieces. She has a collection of beads in every imaginable color. She has carefully experimented and perfected her materials and techniques to create these icons of her former students, family, and friends. My photographs do not do justice to the colors in the original pieces. To see more of Linda Jensen's work visit Lens Culture

I decided I need to speak with the art teacher that inspired two of my previous guests to pursue the arts for a career. I interviewed Bunyan Morris retired art teacher and artist based out of Statesboro. Here is a bit about Bunyan. Bunyan Morris Bunyan Morris has over thirty years of experience as a visual artist and public school art educator. The majority of his teaching career was spent as a high school visual art teacher. In this position, he taught studio classes in painting, drawing, multi-media, ceramics, and Advanced Placement studio art. Throughout his career, he has created and studied art. “Recently, I have been experimenting with color to create nature-inspired non-objective paintings and wearable art. The images are automatic and come from my psyche. I work with the compositions so that the paintings can be viewed equally from all four directions. The wearable art objects evolved from the paintings.” To see more of his work visit: http://echeegeecheestudio.com/about/ Instagram at: https://www.ins

In this episode of My Creative Life, I had the opportunity to speak with Deena Scarborough a long time art teacher friend from Bulloch Co. Deena has taught every grade level under the sun and she does it with a positive disposition. Please enjoy this episode! Thanks for listening. Here is a link about the mural that she and her students are working on for their community. https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/portal-mural-a-nod-to-the-towns-past/

In this episode of My Creative Life, I have Linda Warner Constantino, who was my digital illustration professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I really enjoyed the digital illustration course and learned about surface design from her course. Here is a little bit about her. I have a BA in Art History and an MA and MFA in Illustration and have been teaching in the Illustration Department at Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia for the past 15 years. I teach Watercolor for the Illustrator and Botanical Watercolor for the Illustrator, Illustrating the Edible  as well as Photoshop and Type and Image for the Illustrator. I recently earned my certification in botanical painting from the Society of Botanical Artists in London, England. I have studied botanical painting with Elaine Searle and Annie Hughes. To see more of her work visit: Linda Warner Constantino Website Lindabotanica Thanks for listening and please subscribe for future episodes.

In this episode of My Creative Life, I spoke with Kristen Baird, jewelry designer, in Savannah, GA about her art journey and creation of her business. Here is more about Kristen.  About Kristen: Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Kristen decided to plant her roots in Savannah, Georgia after graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a bachelor’s degree in Jewelry Design. While going to SCAD, she was honored as a Valedictorian nominee, a Presidential Scholarship Recipient, and received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Jewelry Design.   With a desire to continue learning and wanting to hone in on her craft, Kristen received her Rhino CAD Certificate and attended the renowned New Approach School for Jewelers, completing the Graduate Bench Jeweler program under the direction of world-class instructor, Blaine Lewis. In 2015, she decided to start her own business, Kristen Baird® Jewelry.  Celebrating several notable honors and awards, Kristen and her brand have been on

Rita Tu is a freelance illustrator based out of NJ, and an MFA Illustration grad from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has won numerous awards in the field of illustration. We talked on this episode of My Creative Life about her career. To see more of Rita's work Visit RitaTu.com or IG @RitaTu Thanks for listening!

Hi everyone had so much fun talking with Lindsey Gerow, an artist and art teacher. She is a mom and artist! She has traveled throughout Georgia teaching art. She studied at Georgia Southern University. To view Lindsey's work visit  Instagram @Lingeron

I talked with author Michael Mammay on this episode of My Creative Life.  About Michael. Michael Mammay is a science fiction writer. He is a retired army officer and a graduate of the United States Military Academy. He has a master’s degree in military history, and he currently teaches American literature. He is a veteran of Desert Storm, Somalia, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His debut novel, Planetside came out in July, 2018, and was selected as a Library Journal best book of 2018. The audio book, narrated by RC Bray, was nominated for an Audie award. The sequel, Spaceside, hit the shelves on August 27th, 2019. Michael lives with his wife in Georgia. To read more about Michael Mammay and his books visit: michaelmammay.com/ Michael Mammay Twitter Thanks for listening!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Cleland a freelance illustrator based out of Portland, Oregan. Here is a little bit about Josh.  Since 2009 I’ve been creating high-quality, fun illustrations for clients all over the world including Highlights for Children magazine, Storytime magazine, Pinterest, and Wieden & Kennedy. My whimsical illustrations can be found in picture books, billboards, iOS apps, album covers, websites, my parents’ fridge, posters, newsletters, animations and more.   To see more of his work visit. www.joshcleland.com/ www.facebook.com/ClelandIllustration/ twitter.com/joshcleland www.instagram.com/joshcleland/   Thanks for listening and please subscribe!

Hi all, I talked with Kimberly Kaiser about her lovely mixed media pieces she has been posting on her Instagram. She is a mother, artist, and educator.  To see more of her art on Instagram @kimberlykaiserart. Thanks for listening!

I was so excited to have Courtney on this episode. I'm on season 4. She is an amazing surface designer and freelance illustrator that did her BFA and MFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Here is a bit about Courtney. I'm a freelance artist and illustrator with a fondness for cats, cake, reading, and good design. My illustrations are primarily digital, but I try to incorporate traditional textures into my vector work and I still enjoy sketching and painting as a way to step away from my computer on occasion! When not drawing, you can usually find me trying to cook, curled up with a good book, or off exploring the world. Clients include American Greetings, IG Design Group, Design House Greetings, SCAD, Air Bnb, and Great Arrow Graphics. Look for my designs at Dollar Tree, Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Wegman’s, Trader Joe’s and Family Dollar! See her work on her website CourtneyMayo.com Instagram Courtney Mayo Thanks for listening!

In this episode of My Creative Life, I had the opportunity to speak with Penny Weber a children's book illustrator in NY. Here is a little bit about Penny.  Penny Weber is a full-time artist and illustrator from Long Island, New York, where she’s lived all of her life. She works both digitally and traditionally in acrylics and watercolors. Penny attended classes at the School of Visual Arts in New York.  Over the years she has worked in residential murals, greeting cards, and she still offers portraits, caricatures, and pet portraits to independent clients.  In 2007, Penny turned her attention to children’s book illustration and quickly signed with Wendy Mays and Janice Onken to be represented by WendyLynn & Company.  Since then Penny has illustrated many books, including the Chris P. Bacon series for Hay House Publishers.  Some of Penny’s other clients are McGraw Hill Education, Seed Learning, Tilbury House, and Learning A-Z.  Penny is proud to boast that she has NEVER misse

This episode of My Creative Life I had the pleasure of talking with Maggie Roth. Here is a little about Maggie. Maggie Roth is an Oklahoma based artist. She received her BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2019. Maggie moved to Oklahoma after graduating.  Maggie explores the art direction of both styles she is passionate about, her illustrative style, and minimalist linework style.   As a freelance artist, her current work is focused on her minimalist abstract linework. She explores the complicated essence of our human experience in life through the simplicity of a line.       To see Maggie's work visit http://www.maggieroth.com/  Instagram@MaggieRoth_

Mariyka was a delight to speak with as we share the interest of surface design and children's books. Here is a bit about Mariyka. Mariyka Auber is a freelance illustrator and in-house designer for Carter's. She specializes in cute animal characters and whimsical hand lettering, and infuses humor and emotion into everything she produces. Aside from art, Mariyka loves taking care of her ever-growing indoor jungle, watching home renovation shows, and taking weekend hikes through the forest.  She lives in Atlanta with her fluffy bobtail cat, Jasper. To see more of her work visit https://www.mariykaauber.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiguLq50XQ65BxbgIcejSRg https://www.instagram.com/mariykaauber/ Thanks for listening!

Today I had Anna Brettschneider, textile and rug designer based out of NYC. Here is more about Anna. Anna is currently a textile & rug designer at Crosby Street Studios and resides in New York City. She focuses on designing hand-painted surface patterns with bright, bold and modern color schemes. While incorporating her skills in painting, drawing, and printmaking her design work maintains a very organic style and upbeat aesthetic. Vibrant color and spirited use of linework can be found in all of her work. When she is not creating, you will find her reading design magazines, researching and shopping upcoming trends, and also seeking adventure while traveling to new spots. Anna Instagram Anna Brettschneider Website Coolstuff.NYC Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I got to talk with award-winning children's book illustrator Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. She is based out of Australia. Here is more about Marjorie. When I was a little girl I escaped to the library as often as possible where I spent hours devouring picture books and minutely examining their illustrations. I was very young when I decided to become an illustrator like my then-favorite illustrator C.W. Anderson (what little girl doesn’t love horse drawings?). Encouraged by my creative family, I gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Northern Illinois University. Following my move to Australia, I worked in many areas of illustration, including picture book illustrations. I live in Sydney with my husband and son and spend my days happily illustrating books in the company of my dog, Junior. I love to experiment with new techniques for my illustrations, but always seem to return to my beloved and well-used color pencils. Released November 2016, One Christmas Eve (by Corinne Fenton for Bla