"Kevin and Manny" (2022)

Character Study from a Picture Book in Progress 
watercolor and gouache
8 x 13 inches

This illustration is part of a developing picture book that explores themes of acceptance and friendship through the character of Kevin, a piranha who doesn’t quite fit in. Working in watercolor and gouache, I am drawn to the interplay of transparency and opacity to suggest the movement of water and shifting light. Researching the Amazon River’s plants and environments informs both the setting and mood of the art for this book. Since graduating from RISD in 2010, I have illustrated several books, and my creative practice has expanded to include both teaching and motherhood. I look forward to bringing Kevin’s story to life and sharing it with a wider audience.