Professional Illustrator- Digital drawing on Procreate, comic book illustration, book design, and foundational drawing concepts!

Learn more about Catherine

• When did you start practicing? How did this passion find you?

  I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a crayon! This passion for art was passed down to me from my parents; they both had, at one point, considered visual art as a career. Although they ended up choosing different paths, they always encouraged me to chase after my illustration dreams.

• Which artists or works affect you the most?

  If I had to choose just one, I would say I have been most inspired and moved by the work of Bill Watterson’s Calvin & Hobbes. His thought-provoking, yet silly writing pairs beautifully with his art to create what I believe to be the best comic series of all time. His sense of humor and wonder has stayed with me and is present in every comic I create.

• What are the qualities and skills required to succeed in this area?

  I think all you need to be an artist is the ability to create. Knowledge can always be acquired, and skills can always be practiced. What will really make you thrive, however, is having the passion to enjoy the process and the capacity to learn and improve.

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Be careful of burnout! The grind is necessary as an artist, but so is stepping away from the canvas every once and awhile. We create art based on our real life experiences, so make sure you have time to experience life.

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  My passion has been a consistently lit candle throughout my entire life. Yes, the scent of the candle changes (I like to hop from project to project), and the flame flickers every once in a while, but it has never gone out.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  Back in 2022, I won a t-shirt design contest sponsored by Hot Topic & Studio Ghibli! I don’t know if anything will ever top the feeling of getting that ‘congratulations’ email. My t-shirt (A Princess Mononoke inspired design called ‘Gods & Spirits’) is still for sale online.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  I am often warmly surprised by students who are able to ask really good questions! There are certain people who are able to take the information given to them and immediately come to the conclusion on what knowledge they will need next. These questions always excite me and remind me why teaching is so valuable.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  The secret is that this stuff I teach shouldn’t be a secret. The other secret is that while it’s all readily available on the internet, nothing beats getting it from a real human person who checks in on your progress once a week. I guess you could say my secret is that I love sharing the so-called-’secrets’ of art that people want to learn from a person.