Every connection between different characters is unique and has a potential to tell a great story. I like to portray that backstory between the characters in my illustrations, and when one of them is an animal there’s added room for humor or tension since it’s usually wordless communication and the emotions can be amplified.

Some animals are just inherently funny or intimidating, and pairing them with a human character to either juxtaposed or enhance their natural behaviors helps to tell a story in the illustration. I always look for reference and explore the animal’s anatomy and gestures, but I do use some creative freedom when inventing fantasy creatures or the animal’s colors or gear.

I start with a pose or a facial expression and then build the drawing from there. I usually like having the animal and human characters playing off of each other’s actions. I don’t really have a preconceived idea for the story before I start drawing. It comes to life as I work and play with the shapes and character layouts.

I love drawing dinosaurs, although I don’t really know every latest discovery about their anatomy or the correct scientific name for every species. I still think they can have a lot of character and I’d like to imagine them as big dogs.

Usually people love seeing their favorite animals portrayed in a new way and some even make up stories about the characters and the situation they’re in. Some people share their experiences with the specific animal in the illustrations or tell me about a beloved pet they had or some interesting bit of information. I love hearing from people about their favorite animals.