It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, one of my art lifestyle coaching clients Mary Egan. Mary was born in 1951, in the Bon Secours Hospital, in Tuam, Co. Galway (West coast of Ireland, in the Province of Connacht). She now lives in Co. Mayo, also in the West coast of Ireland. She’s a retired Director of Nursing and has three adult children with four grandchildren.

Mary has been learning to draw with me since 2020 and during that time she learned to draw in realism as a structured foundation before entering into children’s picture book illustration. Mary is putting the finishing touches on her final images for her upcoming picture book titled ‘Jamie and Jojo.’ Her gorgeous whimsical style adds to the charm of this heart-warming story about a little boy with his pet pigmy goat.

 

This story is set in the gorgeous green countryside, with rolling hills dotted with adorable stylised flowers and plants. Mary’s inspiration for her little book is her beloved Ireland and you can see subtle hints towards this connection in her artworks like the tiny ‘Shamrok’ symbol on Jaimies little cap. Mary takes us on a delightful adventure in this story, from the birth of little Jojo the pigmy goat, to being rejected by his mother and then nursed by Jamie and his Dad. As Jojo grows up, we’re invited along the journey into the wonderful world of Jaimie’s everyday life with Jojo as his pet and best friend.

Together they have many wonderful and exciting adventures as Jamie learns the value of responsibility and caring about his elderly neighbours. The moral of this story is that pets and animals must be cared for in a responsible manner. Its a delightfully warm story filled with happiness and joy. I hope you enjoy reading more about Mary’s journey into learning to draw with me as her mentor, as much as I have enjoyed sharing this wonderful interview.

Interview with Mary Egan by Cindy Wider – Learning to draw from the beginning

 

Q: Before you started to learn to draw with me, did you believe that you couldn’t draw?

A: Yes, before I started with you, Cindy, I was convinced that I could not and would not ever draw. I felt that I was not one of those gifted people born with an artist paint brush / pencil in their hand. I had a great interest in art, enjoyed painting but lacked drawing skills. I was delighted when you accepted me on your “Complete On-line –Drawing Course”. I found aspects of this course challenging at times but with your patience, encouragement, expert advice and guidance, I overcame my fears and gradually started to improve. I graduated from the course in November, 2021. Following this, I commenced an Acrylic Painting course. You were once again, Cindy, instrumental in guiding me through this course by your honest and constructive feedback. I successfully completed this course on 5^th October, 2022.

 

 

 

Q: When did you first decide you would like to write and illustrate a children’s book?

A: Initially, I did not know what I wanted to do. One day, I wanted to paint landscapes, another day it was Portraits. I had an interest in writing a children’s book but the thought of illustrating it, I felt was way above my level of artistic expertise. That was until one day whilst chatting to you, Cindy, I mentioned to you that I would like to write a children’s book but that I would have to get someone to illustrate it for me, as I did not have the confidence or skills to do it. Immediately, you assured me, that I did have the ability and with your assistance, I would do it. I became a mentored student and my children’s book – “Jamie and Jojo”, was born.

 

Q: What were your greatest fears before you started the journey into book illustrations?

A: Although, I had completed your “Complete- Online- Drawing Course”, Cindy, which covers a lot of skills required to illustrate a children’s book such as: Outline Drawings, Shading  and Form, Portraiture Foundation, Perspective and Proportion, Coloured pencil and Composition, the thoughts of illustrating a children’s book was very intimidating. My main fears were; would I get bored and abandon it, if I was unable to complete it? Where would I begin? How do I develop a Storyboard? How do I draw the different characters in different positions and maintain their uniqueness throughout the book? The layout and perspective, the drawings and colouring.  All of these uncertainties added to my fears.

 

Q: What were your expectations, dreams or goals when you first began this journey?

A: My dream was to write and learn to illustrate a children’s book and dedicate it to my grandson, Jamie within a reasonable time-frame.

 

 

Q: How do you feel about your transformation from when you first thought, “I can’t draw” to how you feel now, “wow, did I do this?” Can you positively see that it is absolutely possible for you now with my help?

A: Never in my wildest dreams, did I expect to be completing my first ever children’s book. Thank you, Cindy, without your support, I feel that I would have abandoned it a long time ago. You gently persuaded me and encouraged me to continue and set goals for me to achieve. I was very much inspired by the fact that you were writing your own children’s book- “Mummy’s Best Birthday Surprise Ever”. You demonstrated to your mentored students via zoom, how you created your characters. This was invaluable knowledge for me and encouraged me to continue.

I can honestly say now, that the transformation is unbelievable. I look back at some of the completed images and ask myself, did I really do this? Yes, Cindy, with your support and guidance, it is absolutely possible to complete my book.

 

 

Q: What was it like studying with my mentored support; do you recommend this process to others?

A: Becoming a mentored student was a great step forward in my art journey. Cindy, you constantly strive to maximise each student’s potential and assist them to achieve their artistic goal.

When I first mentioned that I was interested in writing a children’s book but doubtful about illustrating it, you immediately assured me that I did have the ability to illustrate it and with your help, I would do it. Your encouragement and enthusiasm lifted my spirits and inspired me to continue. You set goals for me to achieve.

The best thing about being mentored  by Cindy, is when you forward your art to her and she critiques it. I always look forward to receiving her honest and constructive feedback via zoom, praising the good work and highlighting areas that needed to be improved, with recommendations on how to improve same. This has taught me to take the time to be more observant and to look for the little details in things, before attempting to draw or colour them. Cindy is always available to guide, support and answer any questions an artist may have. I highly recommend becoming a mentored student of Cindy’s. Thankyou Cindy.

 

 

Q: What kind of drawings are you doing right now; tell us about your book briefly.

A: My little children’s book is called Jamie and Jojo. It’s about a little pygmy goat called Jojo, who was abandoned at birth by his mother. A little boy called Jamie adopts him as his pet, cares for him and plays with him. The story follows their adventures. The moral of the story for the little boy is that pets and animals must be cared for in a responsible manner.

I have just completed an image of Jamie playing with Jojo on the trampoline for my book.

 

 

Q: Do you have any favourite drawings that you’ve creative for your book?

A: I quite like most of my drawings that I have created for my book. My favourites are: Mrs Hopper hanging clothes on the clothes – line. Mrs Hopper discovering a “wild animal” rolling around on her newly washed sheets. Jamie’s Dad sawing wood in the garden, Jamie feeding Jojo in the kitchen, Jamie’s Dream, Jojo’s Toys, Playing with Jojo. Jamie coaxing Jojo into the trailer.

 

 

Q: What are your favourite art materials and why?

A: My favourite art materials are: Paper- Saunders Waterford- St. Cuthbert’s Mill, High White paper. This is 100% cotton paper, smooth finish. Derwent Inktense and Derwent Procolour pencils. (Good quality ink pencils and strong coloured pencils, nice finish) Acrylic, (Quick drying, easy to use paint). Graphite.

 

Q: Do you have any words of advice for beginners just entering this journey and believing that they can’t draw?

A: For beginners, I would highly recommend completing the “Complete On-Line Drawing Course”, developed by Cindy for her students. This covers all of the basic drawing skills. Watch the videos that Cindy has prepared for her students. Read the free art materials such as: Hints, Tips and Favourites in Cindy’s Drawing Club. Practice, Practice and more Practice.

 

 

Q: What are your plans for the future with your newly published book? When you’ve published your book, do you plan to have it published more privately, just for family, to leave as a legacy (as a family heirloom) or to sell it world- wide and gain recognition on a global scale while helping to change the lives of little children?

A: I have not decided on this yet.