Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Turner.
Hi Ava, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all began with a little girl who had a love for color and drawing on her parents walls.
At the age of 2 years old, there are pictures of me with a crayon in both hands, drawing away on whatever surface was available.
My parents decided then that if my “art” was going to be everywhere, they’d better help me hone my skills!
Mom would sit down with me and together we would examine different facets of art, paper types, mediums, etc.
I was always coming up with my own original characters and by the age of 10, I was able to better define my art on paper.
This is where my older sisters stepped in. They were always entrepreneurs, and their experiences in this field definitely aided in me becoming one too.
With the creativity of my sisters, I started selling my art on greeting cards, canvas bags, stickers and more. It’s because of their guidance that I have successfully been a professional artist for a decade now.
This is where Sparkle and Shine Illustrators begins.
When the pandemic hit, I think we can all agree that our work life took a hit as well.
It was during this time that I was commissioned to illustrate a children’s book, and began fine tuning my skills in digital art, something I had only dappled in before.
While my watercolor and paper-drawn work are still a part of my creative process, as well as an option I offer, digital drawing is my go to medium whenever I am commissioned.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have always found art to be enjoyable and easy but challenges come in many forms.
Learning new techniques as technology advances, staying up to date with the ever changing stream of software, Ai, even in what people are looking for from an artist, this can be challenging.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an illustrator, I truly enjoy illustrating children’s books, company product illustrations, book covers & digital downloads. These are probably my favorite. Even as I say this though, it’s kinda like choosing a favorite child!
I also love being able to provide family & pet portraits, greeting cards, character design and of course, I thoroughly enjoy creating custom work for my clients.
Through Just Around The Corner Market, I am able to offer customizable merchandise with any of my designs or personal characters, logos or products.
Whatever your preferred illustration is, I’m able to put them on mugs, tumblers, note books, stickers, and so much more!
Being customizable to your wishes is one of the things I am most known for and I love being able to provide this options to my clients.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My mom is the biggest artist in the family. Growing up, I spent alot of my time pouring over her art guides like they were comic books, full of hidden secrets and stories of action.
“The Animators Survival Kit” by Richard Williams is the biggest take away I got from those days.
I recommend to every artist, even those who don’t have an interest in animation, to study it, simply for the fact that it’s one of the best guides for how to not only draw movement, but to understand it.
The “Drawing People” book by Barbara Bradley definitely helped me in how to draw clothes, as well as the book “Pen and Ink Drawing” by Alphonso Dunn, which helped me learn how to shade objects through cross hatching.
Aaron Blaise and John Pomeroy’s art experience and teaching style is something I managed to get my hands on through
Instagram, and is a recourse I encourage artists to use Instagram for.
For doing my art digitally, I actually use the Sketchbook app and highly recommend it for anyone who can’t get the Procreate app.
And when I need to be refreshed from the challenges or monotony of every day life, JW.org is an app that I find spiritually rejuvenating and helpful.
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