Imagication

One of the things I love about being an illustrator/artist is how it causes me to look at things more closely.  If I'm painting a tree, I find myself studying the leaves on different trees as I take a walk, trying to decide what kind of tree I want to create for the scene I'm working on. Birds, expressions, characters at the mall , how the clouds look each day--they all are elements to observe and study and feel.  I look more closely at people and little things like rocks and bricks.  I think it makes me appreciate life and people more.