At what age did you realize being an illustrator was something you wanted to do?

I was at the end of my junior year in college and had had three different majors when I finally realized I wanted to be an illustrator.

Is there anyone who inspired you to do this for a living?

I had no specific figure in my life that inspired me to be an artist but my parents played a supportive role. My father was in sales and my mother had lots of different jobs. I just always liked art and enjoyed every art class my public education provided. Even though my parents weren't artists themselves, they encouraged me to work at and develop my craft and pursue something I loved for a career. Without that support, I may have chosen a different path.

How did you get the illustration job for President Barack Obama's picture book Of Thee I Sing? 

Random House shared my work and the work of other artists working in children's publishing with the president and his family and they chose me. The Obamas had apparently read some of my books to their girls. 

What was your greatest takeaway from that experience?

It is an honor to be a part of such a patriotic, historical publishing event. And, most of all, I love what the author, President Obama, is saying to his daughters and my sons and every child in America in this book. It's an inspiring message for us all. And I believe it is an important book.

How much has marketing and promotion played a role in your career growth and what is your biggest challenge from that standpoint?

Marketing and promotion is a big part of my work. The notion is simple ... first, make a good book. Then, let as many people on the planet know it exists as possible. They can't buy your book (or your art) if they don't know it exists and there are immense numbers of books being published every year.  Simple theory, but acting on it is not as simple for me. At the same time, I tell art students ... don't put the cart before the horse. First comes making the work as good as you can, then worry about promoting it.