I enjoy participating in design challenges as a way to build my illustration skills. I particularly enjoy Minted's Valentines' Day design classroom Valentine challenges because it gives me permission to be extra silly (usually with puns!).
I Like How You Roll
I was inspired to illustrate a vintage roller skate after seeing a pair in an antique shop in Okoboji, IA during my artist residency at the Iowa Lakeside Lab. I enjoyed playing with retro-inspired color palettes and mixing physical and digital media to create this design.
Award
"I Like How You Roll" won an Editor's Pick award from Minted and is now for sale in my Minted store
You Rock!
I play bass guitar, and part of what draws me to this instrument is its design. I would be a better musician if I spent more time playing my instrument rather than researching and admiring its design. One of my favorite guitar designs—the flying V—made its way onto one of my Valentine card illustrations. I melded a scan of a highly textured acrylic painting with digital drawing to create this design.
Award
"You Rock" won an Editor's Pick award from Minted and is now for sale in my Minted store
You're a Cool Cat
I don't typically draw animals or people because I don't like drawing eyes. I decided to push myself a bit and illustrate a cat, and I permitted myself to skip the eyes by drawing a fun pair of sunglasses on my cat.
Award
"You're a Cool Cat" won an Editor's Pick award from Minted and is now for sale in my Minted store
We Make a Great Team
I usually avoid looking at other submissions to the design competitions until after I've submitted my own. I did a quick once-over of other submissions to see if I noticed any gaps I could fill, and I noticed that there were not many submissions that would appeal to children whose primary interest is sports. I challenged myself to design something sporty, yet cute enough for a children's Valentine.
Awards
"We Make a Great Team" won an Editor's Pick award and a Special Prize award ("For the Boys") from Minted and is now for sale in my Minted store
You're my Best Bud
I love a good pun and was really into drawing retro flowers, so "You're my Best Bud" was born.
Award
"You're my Best Bud" won an Editor's Pick award from Minted and is now for sale in my Minted store
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