Welcome back, I am so happy you are here.

If you missed last week’s newsletter, fear not! You can read every previous edition on my website.

Table of Contents

1. Heavy Branches | Poetry

2. Rodger Looks On | Illustration

3. Classic Book Covers: An Exercise in (Re)Design | Illustration

4. Bi-Weekly Recommendations | Closing Thoughts

Forward

Heavy Branches is a poem I wrote in the wake of a recent storm. With the snow came significant damage to trees and wooded areas, reshaping the experience of walking through them. The storm and its aftermath seemed to mirror something I have been reflecting on recently, which ultimately became this poem. I would love to hear if there’s any piece that resonates with you.

Heavy Branches

~

Like a snow storm in spring,

My branches are stripped from the weight,

Of who I once was.

Or maybe who I’m becoming.

Always running,

From golden fields filled with sun,

And stunning life.

It goes on,

Moving as I do.

A subtle reminder that taking space,

And finding grace,

Are the same thing as being brave.

For our choices give us direction,

Not permanence.

And age is just a sign,

That we were never meant to stay.

So just like flowers that bloom in my garden,

Planted by the hands,

Of someone who came before me.

I cherish colors that will never last forever.

A life fragile and precious,

Fleeting beauty, something treasured.

As the snow begins to melt,

So too do my worries,

Of fallen limbs,

I didn’t need to hold onto in the first place.

And from my perch I reach higher.

Inching closer to the sky,

Though still able to admire,

The vibrant shades,

Of violet,

Below.

~

Rodger Looks On

Many of you have probably heard me talk about Rodger. The small little robot, who first appeared in a collegiate animation course, and later became an inspiration for me as I decided to pursue work in the world of illustration and storytelling. To me, Rodger represents the action of leaning into your identity and choosing to be yourself in a world that often celebrates quiet forms of compliance.

Whether or not his story is eventually published, he means a great deal to me, and I will always be grateful for the hope he has shared. These two illustrations were drawn as end pages in my draft of the children’s book,“A Robot Called Rodger”. The scenes take place just outside the junkyard, where Rodger lives, and look upon the city of Bitsburg.

In this image, I really wanted to capture a sense of longing. Muted colors, post-sunset lighting, and relative scale/distance were all things I was attempting to capture.

In comparison, here is the second illustration.

Everything is pretty similar, even down to Rodger’s pose, but with the addition of our second robot, another friend on the gate, and by switching the the direction of the birds in the sky, something seems to settle. My hope was to trade longing for stability. A sense of contentment and contemplation, with momentum moving forward.

What do you think, do these two images feel different?

Classic Book Covers

An Exercise in (Re)Design

A few months back, just for fun, I sketched a made up cover for the story I was writing. I wanted it to mirror the opening scene and serve as a creative exercise without added expectation. It was something that came together quickly, but also felt like a totally different way to connect with a piece of writing.

For the next month, any time I was in a creative rut, I decided I would re-draw the cover of something sitting on my shelf. The only limitations were that the drawing had to be done in under 30 minutes, and when the time was up, I just had to move onto other work, no questions asked. Overall, it was a great way to keep things loose, and warm the brain up on days where I felt a bit sluggish.

Here are a few of the results, starting with my own story:

The opening paragraphs of this book take place with the main character gazing out the window as the sun goes down. Not only did I want to create that rooftop image, but I also wanted to capture some of the colors shared in the description. Blues and oranges. Overall, I kept things very flat for the sake of time, but I think it ultimately gives this a classic look with some nice texture.

Next is one of my personal favorite books:

A classic if there ever was one. Also a very relevant book given the times we live in. The images in this story are stark, and I wanted to represent that in the same way. Minimal colors, simple font, one distinct action.

Then, a book that leans into it’s setting in a memorable way:

I grew up going to South Carolina two to three times a year to visit my grandparents. They lived on tidal rivers, and next to marshland just like in the story. I wanted to do the scenery justice, while sticking with the theme of dual tone colors on the original cover. This book felt quiet, but alive, which is what I tried to capture.

Next up, something well known, but a bit abstract:

I feel like I couldn’t do this challenge without including a classic like Harry Potter. Let it be know that I kept the author’s name off of this one, because She Who Will Not Be Named has no place here. I treated this sketch like a simple collage, throwing in as many references as I possibly could from The Prisoner of Azkaban. The knight bus, time-turner, Scabbers, Buckbeak, the stag, Quidditch players, the Marauder’s Map, the werewolf, Crookshanks, Sirius, dementors, the crystal ball…I got a little carried away, but this one was different and a lot of fun.

Finally, something simple in a completely different genre:

I feel like this is one of those covers that you’d see at the store and wonder if the marketing department just got a little lazy. I tried to go super straightforward with this, keeping everything basic, from colors to shapes. Please imagine that the room with the light on just so happens to be number 217.

Four titles, four genres, and four very different outcomes. I’ve found that having exercises like this in your back pocket can be great for giving the brain a kickstart. It doesn’t have to be book covers, it can be anything!

Bi-Weekly Recommendations

• Take a walk somewhere familiar, see if you can notice something new, or something different compared to the last time you were there!

• A few songs that build like no one’s business:

  • “I Know You’re Hurting” by RAYE

  • “Lying Beast” by Run River North

  • “Dear Wormwood” by The Oh Hellos

Support My Work!

If you enjoy what I do, please consider a donation! Not only does it support the time and effort I put into my work, but it also allows me to create more. Anything is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for being here.

Not subscribed yet?

Never miss a future newsletter!