Tell us a little about your piece?

After having lived in Hawaii, I now cannot think of the ocean without also thinking about the mass amounts of plastic floating ashore. The beaches there are covered in microplastics and it's a depressing sight.  As a Children's book illustrator, I tried not to create an image that is as frightening as the situation, but rather one that, hopefully, makes one feel something for all of the marine flora and fauna drowning in all of that plastic. The situation is pretty dire and is an issue we can not afford to ignore any longer. 

What was the most challenging part of the brief?

The most difficult part for me were the colors as I typically like to use bright colors in my work. 

What part of the collaboration did you enjoy the most?

I really enjoyed working on a topic that I haven't personally explored in my own work. I am intimidated by the idea of creating marine life as I haven't seen enough of it with my own eyes, up close and personal.  I never feel I can do it justice.  But this challenge really inspired me to at least try and keep trying... 

How did you enjoy working with the paper?

If I didn't know better, I wouldn't have known these papers were recycled.  In my head, when I think of recycled paper, I picture a rough, dull, grey sheet with not a lot of life to it.  These papers are suprising colorful and the texture was quite pleasant.  I did have a difficult time with the darks shades, but nothing that I could not work with to complete this project.