The Charismatic Dogs book has a site now! The photographer, TOTSPUPS.com, emailed me yesterday informing me Blurb.com will be using the Charismatic Dogs book for marketing purposes! Very awesome. Volume II is in the works.

MEET is my Tuesday series where I am able to feature an artist, their work, and share a few thoughts from them personally! This week I’m excited to introduce Megan Cook! Megan is a twenty-two year old illustrator and graphic designer located in Indianapolis. I have always been a huge fan of her illustrated books and large collages & paintings. I can’t wait to see the work she will continue to produce! Enjoy meeting Megan!

01. At what point in your life did you know you’d be an artist? I’m not sure, but I fell in love with art in kindergarten. I had an art teacher who would make us popcorn to eat while we worked and would tell us stories about artists like Van Gogh and Georgia O’Keefe. She had a really profound impact on me.

02. Do you have another talents, passions, or hobbies? I really enjoy writing and reading the work of great writers. I have written a couple children’s stories and hope to continue my writing career alongside my design future. I have always loved stories and I think that is why I love art/design: everything has a story and you can choose to write it, or describe it visually.

03. Who has been the most encouraging person in your life? My husband and my parents.

04. What inspires you? I find inspiration in a lot of different places: through other artists’ work, through reading, and through pictures or memories.

05. What medium still intimidates you? 3D mediums are hard for me to tackle: I’m a 2D thinker.

06. What artistic trend do you dislike? I dislike the returning 80s trends and colors: too many gross colors and patterns put together in thoughtless ways — but that applies more to fashion design right now.

07. What has been your favorite piece of someone else’s art up until this point in your life? Tough question! I think I have lots of favorites. I really like George Braque’s collage work, and Paula Scher’s posters for the Public Theater’s New York Shakespeare Festival.

08. Do you create art full-time? If so- where and what has that experience been like? I have been doing art on the side right now, while searching for a way to do it full time. My experience in working other jobs that don’t literally relate to art has been an affirming one: the longer that I don’t work in the design world, the more I realize that it is what I want to do full-time.

I have officially left my full-time [office] day job in hopes that a recent new opportunity will work out within a few weeks. In between then, I’d love to book more freelance projects to keep me busy and to keep food on my table. It’s not easy giving up stability for family, relationships, beliefs, and creativity but it sure does feel good.

Is reading a passion, a habit, a personality trait, or a task? Sometimes I can’t figure out why I don’t create more time to read. Rewind ten years ago and all I did was read. I’m currently trying to read a few books:

- Ayn Rand and the World She Made : Anne C. Heller

- How to be a graphic designer, without losing your soul : Adrian Shaughnessy

- The Cheese Monkeys : Chip Kidd

- With Christ in the School of Prayer : Andrew Murray

We’ll see how this year goes. I’m hopeful.

More detailed shots of some of the work I posted on my portfolio site.

I was FINALLY home alongside the sunlight streaming through my back window and could photograph some of my printed work. It’s definitely not professional but when you get something legitimately printed, you want to show that! Take a look over here for more photos.

Thank you to all who voted for the book! It was one of three books that won the GRAND PRIZE! It was so fun designing this piece for TOTSPUPS Fine Art Photography. Her photography is outstanding and she really helped push the design direction throughout the process. (photo via here).

Two books that I’ve recently picked up. Somehow I must find time to keep reading. I enjoy it too much to let that love slip away. Do any of you have any more suggestions? I’m always up for adding more to my library.

It would mean so much to me if you would take a few moments out of your day and vote for a book that I designed. It’s been entered into a contest and voting ends November 9th. I’m pretty sure it’s currently 3rd in the leader board. Thank you so much (in advanced) to anyone who votes!

A big project just wrapped up and it’s available here. Working alongside TOTSPUPS Photography was awesome, like always. I wish she could photograph my puppy! This page will be a 40-page softbound book. Full color and full bleed.

Cover pictured below: