What’s it like to be a full time illustrator?
For me, all of my days are different.
On my very favorite days I bike to a nearby coffee shop to write or draw. Sometimes I make things. Sometimes I just listen.
On my sometimes favorite days I am sitting at my computer, answering emails, scanning images or fussing with pixels.
On my very least favorite days I am at the post office, waiting in line.
My working days mostly take place from 8am-3pm when my family is not knocking on my door a lot.
What’s your studio like?
like this.
I live in a small row home in North Philadelphia. There is one room in my house with a door. It is on the second floor and that is where I work. My studio is very full of art from my friends, my own art, paper samples, buttons and yarn. It gets messy quickly, but here’s what it looks like when it’s very organized. I cleaned it up just for you.
What materials do you use?
Sheesh. Watercolor and gouache are my favorite things, but I often use crayons, pastels, and colored pencils too.
What do you do when you feel burnt out?
I remind myself what I like about being a human. Like many artists, I like to look at the woods and nature. So I take walks. I like to see the way the light moves and to smell the fresh air. I like libraries and thrift stores, places where things are free and you can sit for a while. I like movies a whole lot. Even the ones not on Criterion. Maybe it’s easiest to just say “I explore”.
What does your sketchbook look like?
Oh I keep so many embarrassing things in there! Experiments with different media, thoughts about cooking, thoughts about how I wish I could work faster. I certainly cannot show them to you. That would be embarrassing.
What’s next?
Another book of course.
Everything is Fine by Michelle Sumovich , Katherine Tegen Books at HarperCollins, October 2024
The Coziest Place by Maria Popova, Enchanted Lion, 2025