I’d like to talk about rejection for a minute. After years of pushing and prodding the corners of learning about business in art, and how illustration can even become a career, I finally graduated from school this year with a degree. And still had yet to see a profitable business form.

The pattern of light reflecting in water is one that I have been in awe of since I can remember. I have dreams of being underwater with no issue breathing or existing there, a view of the ceiling of waves from below. Not many animals can make me feel that the sea is a comfortable place, but a sea otter can make the ocean seem like home. Even the frigid waters seem appealing when you see an animal thrive in such conditions.

Taking a visit to the Georgia Aquarium reinvigorated a love of marine life. Not only did I cry at the sight of dolphins interacting with trainers (a long lost dream of mine), but I also was awe struck by the size and beauty of the array of marine life that we (humanity) are able to encounter thanks to the scientists and unimaginable work it takes to house them and keep them all happy and safe.

Collecting the “art of” books for some of my favorite media is a great way to look for insight into the artists and processes behind characters, backgrounds, concepts, environments, and styles.

Here is a list of 12 books I’d recommend getting your hands on for some artistic inspiration!

If you have ever noticed the birds in your yard and appreciated their vibrant colors, we have something in common. I’ve been on a bird kick lately, painting a few portraits. It was brought on by a color theory class that left me with a few studies in color. There is such variety and wonder in the world of birds, from birds of prey to songbirds, from sea birds to songbirds. They’re so odd and beautiful, I can’t help but paint a portrait of a handful of them.

I’d like to say that doing a self-portrait is an experiment in self-exploration and navigating feelings of reflection. In honesty, I haven’t painted many portraits before. Working from a photograph gave me something concrete to reference in terms of light and form, but you know that feeling when you see a word write out so much that it starts to become unfamiliar? It was a similar feeling to painting my own face.