We recently connected with Paige Braddock and have shared our conversation below.

Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I was lucky in my early, high school years to get the opportunity to mentor with a working cartoonist. I would say that mentoring with professional cartoonists throughout my career was extremely helpful, because I grew up in the Deep South with no real access to art training in public schools.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I decided I wanted to be a cartoonist at age seven, but the path to achieving that goal wasn’t very apparent. I started drawing comics on my own and tried to improve my craft by imitating cartoonists whose work appeared on the Sunday Comics Page. One of my biggest influences was Charles M. Schulz’s work on Peanuts. I was inspired by Schulz’s work and the work of Mort Walker to create several of my own characters and comic strips. It wasn’t until high school that I met Dave Graue and got to visit his studio. Dave gave me my first introduction to professional tools of the trade. He gave me my first nib pen and ink, my first T-square… basically all the “old school” tools cartoonists used to use… even a lettering guide. I kept working on developing my comics, got a degree in Illustration from the University of Tennessee and began my career as an illustrator for newspapers in the mid 80’s. I worked in the newspaper industry for 12 years until one day, out of the blue, Charles Schulz offered me a job at his studio in Northern California. It was a dream job for me. I eventually took over running the studio after Mr. Schulz passed away and I’ve been at the helm for 25 years. Our mission statement at the studio is to honor the creative work of Schulz and to oversee product development that remains true to his vision. In addition to working at the Schulz Studio, and probably inspired by my time working with Schulz, I have published several graphic novel series for Kids: “Stinky Cecil” and “Peanut, Butter, and Crackers.” I also did a daily comic strip for 20 years titled, “Jane’s World.” For me, through all of these different career moves, the important thing has been finding my voice as a creative professional and staying true to that voice, regardless of the project.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I find true happiness when I’m creating something, even if it’s just a simple sketch in my sketchbook. Being able to tune out the world and focus on what’s in front of me… it’s almost like meditation. With a drawing tool and a blank sheet of paper you are essentially creating something from nothing. That’s very powerful and at the same time, empowering.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

We all have internal editors… I try really hard to turn mine off. These internal editors and art directors get into your head and convince you that your work isn’t good enough, or whatever… I try to push through that and keep refining an idea until it feels right to me. Sometimes, in the beginning of the process, I don’t even know what it will be. I don’t know what it will be until I get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.PaigeBraddock.com
• Instagram: @paigebraddock
• Facebook: @PaigeBraddock
• Linkedin: @PaigeBraddock
• Twitter: @PaigeBraddock

Image Credits

Photo of Paige Braddock, by Evelyn Braddock
Color for Jane driving in rainstorm, Brian Miller.