As an Author/Illustrator, I've gotten great feedback from agents/editors about three of my completed Picture Book manuscripts. I've now turned my attention to illustrating my books with the goal of having a Picture Book package ready soon for submission to industry experts.

To me the visual part of a story is equally as important as the written words. There are amazing illustrators out there doing a beautiful job of enhancing picture book manuscripts--and many of them are my heroes. During my own process of creating a picture book, I actually "see" the story in both words and pictures at the same time, and so I'm having a great deal of fun adding in the artwork to my stories now.

I like many types of art--particularly bold bright colors that fill your senses to the brim.  I also like delicate, loose line art with pops of soft color here and there.  It really depends on the story, right? I like playing with realism as you can see by my line-rendered cat. And I love, love (did I love?) combining techniques using cut paper and collage, as well as using other traditional and digital techniques.  In other words, I sometimes create artwork traditionally, then I scan in those images so I can add additional touches digitally. My technique continues to evolve as my own life evolves, and as tools change and I learn about them.

If you like, you can read more about my background on the About Lina page. I am also planning to share my process with you, from time to time, here on my website's blog. And I will also include how-to tips I come across that might help you, too, bring your own stories to life.

Thank you for coming along on this journey with me as it unfolds...