Illustrator hosts kids’ workshop on Thursday

EDWARDS — The Vail Valley became a little more creative when children’s illustrator Alice Feagan settled here this past winter. Feagan moved here with a vision to spread her love of art and illustrations to future generations. After all, it’s part of her own story.

“I have loved art and art making as long as I can remember,” said Feagan. “The earliest drawing I have is of Garfield, and I think I made it when I was 3.”

Feagan’s love for art speaks through each of her designs, including the collages featured in her most recent book, “School Days Around the World.” Additionally, she has a line of artwork available on Etsy that includes snapshots of inspirations she’s found through life.

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Feagan, a North Carolina native, will talk about her journey to become a professional illustrator at The Bookworm of Edwards on Thursday night.

“I developed an interest in an illustration career in high school,” said Feagan. “I did some odd art jobs after college, but I did not actually begin my professional career as an illustrator until I completed my masters at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009.”

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After graduating, Feagan set to work on starting her own business. Working through the challenges of making a name for herself and promoting her work, she came out strong on the other side, finding success in bringing children’s stories and emotions to life.

“I have a few projects in the works right now,” Feagan said. “One is a maze illustration for National Geographic Kids Magazine. Another large project I am wrapping up is a nonfiction interactive book about microbes. I’m also beginning to write and illustrate my own stories, so I have three dummy books in the works.”

Feagan’s presentation will focus on inspiring kids through a workshop targeted to 8 to 12 year olds. She’ll introduce young artists to the beginning processes of writing and illustrating children’s books, how to bring those illustrations to life digitally and what to do with all that passion for drawing.

“I get the most gratification from seeing kids interacting with and enjoying my work,” she said. “My work is playful and happy, and I aspire to pass that along to anyone who engages with my books and illustrations. I hope the kids will take with them an understanding of what it means to be an illustrator and the steps it takes to create a picture book from start to finish. We’ll also do some step-by-step character drawings that should help them begin to develop ideas for their own characters and stories.”