Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Hill
Hi Jodi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Years ago I met an author on Craigslist who needed an illustrator for a book she had written about the struggles of being a little brother and that was how it started. We created “Albert Lag Behind” and I loved everything about the building of the characters, their unique features, along with setting and all the colors involved, not to mention the joy in helping her bring her book to life. I then magically met various authors and have been illustrating ever since. Recently, I just finished a third children’s book by the same author who tends to write about the wonderful animals in his life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has mostly been a smooth ride, I try to get as much out of my clients as far as what they ‘see’ in their characters and settings. I want specific details, then we communicate with my sketches making everything perfect until we are both on the same page. The struggle sometimes is when there is a change to a completed illustrated page that was previously approved. It’s situations like this I have to charge extra for a re-do, but it’s always agreed upon and we get through it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I enjoy illustrating to daily word prompts or themes. It’s just a great way to open your mind and get creative with words as simple as cheese or sock for example. When illustrating a children’s book I start out with ideas and then pencil work, then I use permanent black ink micron pens, and most of the time I do watercolor paints to finish it up. I also enjoy color pencils on vellum paper, it’s so smooth.
I am proud of all my books because each one tells a different story for me and I always remember what stage I was in life at the time.
I think, or I hope, that most of us artists are fun, thoughtful and appreciative of representing someone’s story in the best way possible.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have so many interesting memories…I guess my best ones revolve around animals and my love for them. I am so thankful my family has always brought animals into my life since the very beginning.
Pricing:
- $90 per completed page
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jodsdesigns.com
- Instagram: jodsdesigns1
- Facebook: jodsdesigns
Image Credits
Pat Rebollar
Cate Given
Shauna Aguirre
Vena Lewis
Mike Weiss
Erika Morse
Lauren Machada
Tom Ketell
Kimberly Vincent-Layton
Raymond Wood