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\nIt’s the first Sunday of the month, fellow kickers, and that means a student or debut illustrator. I’ve got the former today, a student from Montserrat College of Art<\/a><\/strong>. Erin McLaughlin<\/a><\/strong> is nearly done with her studies, tells us all about herself below, and also shares some of her art with its bright palettes and simple shapes. (It’s almost as if a child’s toys have come to life, her pieces below.) So, let’s get right to it. I’m handing it over to Erin now. …<\/p>\n
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\nI’ve always wanted to make a career from my art. Some people excel at math; some, science. For me, it was always art. I always loved to draw. Whether it was comics, cartooning, or just doodling, I am my happiest creating something. It was in my sophomore year of art school at Montserrat College of Art that my teachers said to me, why not children’s illustration?<\/em> It’s like a light bulb went off in my head. I’ve never looked back. The children’s market feels like home for my style and for me. When I find myself smiling and laughing when I’m working on a piece, I know I’m on the right track.
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\nI’m in my senior year at Montserrat College of Art<\/a><\/strong>. Montserrat and its professors have really driven me to be a go-getter. Coming in freshman year, I wasn’t much of a student. I didn’t have the direction and focus needed to succeed. My favorite teachers have been the ones willing to sit down with me and tell me truthfully how much work it takes to be successful. You can be the most talented artist in the world, but without a strong work ethic and drive, no one will ever see your work. I have taken that advice to heart.<\/p>\n
Now, as a senior, I’ve already illustrated one children’s book, have been commissioned on numerous projects, and have a strong portfolio. Having someone tell me “Why not children’s?” really turned me around. It’s the perfect fit. People who inspire me the most are current illustrators, such as Dan Santat<\/a><\/strong> and Jon Klassen<\/a><\/strong>. Other favorite illustrators include Oliver Jeffers<\/a><\/strong>, Greg Orfanos<\/a><\/strong>, Alexander Vidal<\/a><\/strong>, David Ferreira<\/a><\/strong>, Jack Teagle<\/a><\/strong>, and Matty Long<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n Even fine arts painters and sculptors, like Euan Uglow<\/a><\/strong> and Beth Cavener Stichter<\/a><\/strong>, can inspire my composition and color choices. Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome. <\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> It’s 2016, dear kickers! We’re all still here — healthy (I hope), happy (I also hope), and all doing our best, resolutions or no resolutions. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> I’ll be in Austin, Texas, later this week for a conference. It’ll be my first time there. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> A New Year’s Eve Doctor Who<\/em> marathon. <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> Happy that my lovely chat with podcaster Nick Patton made his top-five list<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n
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(Click first two to enlarge)<\/center>
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\nI’m a digital artist. I use Photoshop mainly, but I also love to doodle in pen and pencil.
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\nI really draw what I love. I know that sounds too good to be true, but I have pages and pages in my sketchbook dedicated to lists of what I like. Lasers, sloths, kazoos, robots. The list goes on and on. <\/p>\n
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\nRight now, I’m making a series of children’s posters as part of my senior thesis. These posters cover all kinds of things, including bugs, robots, space, flowers and fairies. It’s a lot of fun, just exploring huge formats and playing with color and design. My next thesis work is going to concentrate on children’s clothing (including onesies, bibs, and hats), patterns (wallpapers and fabrics) as well as a series of stickers and stuffed animals.
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\nAll images used by permission of Erin McLaughlin.<\/em><\/p>\n
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