How did you get into illustration?

Like most artists, I drew constantly as a kid – usually silly, comic-style stories about animals on winter adventures. After two years in art school, I wanted to switch from fine art to illustration, but the program didn’t allow the change. I eventually continued my studies in art for animation and video games.

In my final year, I took an illustration course and everything clicked. I fell in love with the possibilities of the medium – traditional, digital, and stylistic experimentation.

That experience led me into illustration for animation studios and small publishers, where I found that the skills are highly transferable, especially for sequential storytelling like children’s books.

What is your illustration process?

This is the process I’ve used since it was drilled into me in college:

Thumbnail → Sketch → Colour rough → Final art → Revisions → Delivery

Can you take rush projects?

I don’t offer rush timelines for picture books, as they require months of thoughtful development. If you’re flexible on scheduling, I’d love to hear about your project.

For smaller commissions like cards or posters, feel free to reach out.

What tools do you use?

Most of my work is now created digitally. I still begin with small pencil thumbnails on scrap paper, but final artwork is typically completed in digital tools, which allows for efficient revisions and experimentation with style.

Do you have any dream projects?

Yes. I hope to write and illustrate a children’s book about a little girl and her dinosaur who appears whenever she’s had too much sugar. It’s loosely based on my life with diabetes. These characters have appeared in my sketchbooks for years, and I think they could grow into a series.

Strangest job you’ve had?

Right after university, I worked briefly painting old maps and etchings with watercolour in a dim basement studio. I was given no formal training and left to figure it out on my own. I ruined many prints before being politely let go after two weeks.

Do you take commissions?

Yes, I do—primarily for illustration-based projects such as greeting cards, posters, and select custom work. Timelines depend on current project load, so feel free to reach out to discuss availability.

Favourite plant to grow?

It changes every year, but right now I’m loving tomatillos. They thrive in my Nova Scotia climate and produce an abundance of fruit that I turn into fresh salsas throughout the winter.