Digital Illustration Awards & Public Engagement
Digital Illustration · Digital Painting · Public Speaking · Art & Publication
Sweet Nostalgia
Award-Winning Digital Illustration
Sweet Nostalgia is a digital illustration created in Procreate, a medium I value for its expressive brushes and painterly flexibility. The artwork explores the bittersweet weight of childhood memories, feeling joyful and overwhelming all at once, alongside a quiet longing for emotional connection.
Rooted in the fundamentals of painting and drawing, the piece blends traditional sensibilities with contemporary digital techniques. The final work was presented as a 12 × 12-inch limited-edition Giclée print on fine art cotton pearl paper, bridging the gap between digital creation and fine art presentation.
Watch the "Sweet Nostalgia" process video in Procreate
This award provided a platform for me to introduce digital illustration and design to a more traditional art community in Edmonds, Washington. I was invited by Artists Connect Edmonds to present "Digital Jumpstart: Procreate for Artists."
The talk helped bridge generations of artists, many of whom are traditionally rooted in drawing by reframing digital tools as an extension of painting rather than a replacement for classic techniques. The experience encouraged participants to revisit their digital tools with curiosity and confidence.
Introducing Digital Art to the Community
Awards & Recognition
I was honored to receive 2nd Place in the Photography and Digital Art category at the Edmonds Arts Festival 2024. I am grateful to the festival and juror John Dolan for recognizing my work. This award highlighted the growing presence of digital illustration within fine art spaces and brought the piece significant local visibility.
Highlights:
Media Coverage: Featured in My Edmonds News. My Edmonds News.
International Publication: This recognition also led to a connection with Pat Flanagan and a feature in Novum Artis, a magazine showcasing emerging talent across art and illustration disciplines.
Sweet Nostalgia was featured in Novum Artis, Novum Artis issue no. 0004, on pages 84 and 85 .
The Tillage Magazine
In late 2025, my writing and artwork were published in the "Expansion" Fall Edition of The Tillage Vol.1, alongside the work of other contemporary artists, from art and photography to poetry. The feature includes my written piece exploring themes of art and growth, accompanied by both my traditional and digital paintings. The published work highlights my use of unconventional materials, including alcohol markers and Procreate, as a core part of my illustration practice.
Get the Fall 2025 Issue of The Tillage
