Donna Dodgen

In honor of World Art Day and Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, I’m sharing a look at the small details tucked into my Basil illustration and why they matter to me as an artist.

Illustrations are more than decoration. They are the doorway into the story. They help children feel what the characters feel and see the world through someone else’s eyes. It helps to introduce them to, and help them connect with, the characters they will follow as they read.

Nature isn’t only peaceful. It’s also full of funny little surprises, and I love capturing those too. Some of my paintings show the playful side of woodland life...