Mariyka was a delight to speak with as we share the interest of surface design and children’s books. Here is a bit about Mariyka. Mariyka Auber is a freelance illustrator and in-house designer for Carter’s. She specializes in cute animal characters and whimsical hand lettering, and infuses humor and emotion into everything she produces.

Aside from art, Mariyka loves taking care of her ever-growing indoor jungle, watching home renovation shows, and taking weekend hikes through the forest. She lives in Atlanta with her fluffy bobtail cat, Jasper.

To see more of her work visit

https://www.mariykaauber.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiguLq50XQ65BxbgIcejSRg

https://www.instagram.com/mariykaauber/

Listen to the podcast interview at My Creative Life.

I’ve posted several new lessons

for Photoshop that can be modified to work with Photopea or Pixlr. Visit the Messy Art Teacher TPT

I just made a video tutorial of how to quickly get the proportions for drawing a head using Loomis technique. This is good for secondary, but with some coaching, you could do this in elementary.

Here is the final Updated May 16, 2020.

I think with all the turmoil that is going on in the world right now I wanted to work collaboratively with my fellow people to share a positive message. I feel for those that are struggling. This virus is like nothing I have seen in my life. The closest is probably 911. It’s a time that leaves us uncertain of the future, but I truly feel that things will get better. This place we call the USA has so many great things going for it. I feel fortunate that my parents that were immigrants moved to this country for us to have a better life. I feel lucky when I became a US citizen.

My wonderful creative friends have come together to help out with a word in the message. They come from all over the United States. CA, NY, GA, and IL. There are probably more states, but it’s hard to keep track.

The message is “We may be apart but we’re in this together. Social distancing. Stay safe. We’ll meet again.”

I’m posting a template of what we have so far and I’ll update it as I get more of the words added. Please be well and safe.

I had the pleasure of meeting TeMika Grooms via the SCBWI Southern Breeze. She is such a generous and knowledgeable illustrator. I think her passion and kindness shine through in this interview. Here is a little about TeMika.

TeMika Grooms is an Atlanta-based artist, author, and arts advocate. Her interest in art and storytelling began early in life under the influence of her mother, an artist, educator, and librarian. Creative art practices provided TeMika with an outlet during challenging transitional periods as a military child settling in Columbus, Georgia. Under the direction of wonderful teachers, she was provided a well-rounded education that supported her artistic talent and ability to capture and animate the human form with strong, fluid lines and expressive movement. To expand on her traditional art-making skills, TeMika is exploring the use of technology in art by creating digital paintings and surveying new avenues to bring interactive art to the public.

TeMika was selected for the international 2008 Taller Norte Portobelo Artist-in-Residence program to work on an illustrated sequential art project and present an art workshop to Spanish-speaking children in Portobelo, Panama. Since that time, she has produced multiple books in children’s literature and community art programs to support creative initiatives. She currently works with the international organization Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) as the Regional Illustrator Coordinator for the southeast region and serves on Board of Advisors Equity and Inclusivity Committee to impact the inclusion of diverse voices within the children’s book publishing industry.

To see more of her art visit
http://www.temikatheartist.com/
Instagram TeMika Grooms Artist
Save the Crash-test Dummies

Listen to the interview at My Creative Life.

Happy Easter, and made this coloring sheet to celebrate the holiday and remind us to accept one another. Free to download and color. For little and big kids. Enjoy!