Today’s wonderful doodlewashes come to us from Nancy Lemon in Charleston, South Carolina (follow her blog by clicking here!). Nancy grew up in a small town and has been drawing ever since she can remember.
“I used to try to copy my favorite cartoon characters,” Nancy says, “and once I got to about 5th grade started creating my own.”
Her first major in college was animal science, as she thought she was going to be a veterinary, but as it turned out, she was “better at drawing animals than learning their biology!” So she ended up with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Nancy then completed her postgraduate work in Illustration at The Portfolio Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Since then, she’s painted pet portraits, murals, “dipped her toes into the world of faux finishing,” and now works by day as a graphic designer/web person/newbie videographer for a local university.
Nancy says, “by early morning, lunchtime, and after the baby is in bed, I am an illustrator. Whew! Illustration, especially children’s illustration, has always been my very favorite. I love telling a story with my pictures. And narrative is possible to include whether in a spot illustration or a 32 page book.”
Her process always begins in the sketchbook where she “feels free to make mistakes and decisions” (love that!). From there, she will usually “draw” with watercolor then add a bit of colored pencil, and very occasionally some ink or charcoal. It all gets cleaned up in the computer before hitting the blog or getting to a client.
She says, “perhaps I’m a little ADHD (perhaps we all are these days), because I enjoy experimenting with all types of medium. Lately I’ve been bringing my ‘portable studio’ to work.” Her inspirations include nature, animals, yoga, walking around, and seeing other artists’ “awesome work.”
“At lunch break,” she says, “you’ll typically find me walking somewhere to hide out and draw. Luckily I work in downtown Charleston, so wherever I go there is plenty of beauty!”
For more of Nancy’s beautiful world, be sure to check out her website or blog, or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also buy some of her wonderful creations in her Society6 shop! Thanks for being part of the Doodlewash family, Nancy, and we’re excited to see what stories you’ll tell us next!
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Featured Artists
I am proud to say I already a following Nancy! : ) Love Nancy’s work. I plan to check out her Society6 shop. Great work, Nancy – and thanks, Charlie, for highlighting this fanciful artist and her work.
So glad you follow her!! Nancy is wonderful!
Hi Charlie – Thanks for the Doodlewash shout out to Nancy Lemon, she is one of my favorite illustrators.
Nancy, your illustrations have amazing appeal but it’s the poignancy that always pulls me in. Beautiful art in so many ways.
Nancy is sooo good! Happy to feature her!
Love those illustrations! Will follow her on Instagram
Yay!! Do it! Do it! Hehe…she’s so great!!
[…] See it here: Guest Doodlewash: Doodlewashing A Story […]
Thanks for this portrait!!! I´ll check her blog out immediately, love the pictures of her you showed here! Thanks for sharing, Charlie!!! 😊
Yay Ann!! Definitely check her out… Nancy is wonderful and lots more to see!! 😃👍🏻
These are wonderful illustrations! So soft and expressive! Will definitely follow! Thank you!
Yay! Cool! Love hearing that Kari! Nancy is awesomeness!!
I love her whimsical illustrations and her love of playing with different art mediums like me! I am now a follower on her blog! Thanks Charlie for introducing Nancy! 🙂
You’re quite welcome Jill! I never know if people are already following or not, so it makes my heart smile to know I’ve linked wonderful artists together! Thanks for that friend! 😃
I love Nancy’s work! Every time I see one of her charming illustrations I just feel happy! She is incredibly talented! Thank you for sharing her with us Charlie.
Aren’t they the best?! Glad you love her work too, Cathe! 😃
Gosh, thanks everyone…I am blushing. 🙂 😀 I really, really appreciate you featuring me here, Charlie.
All the best, Nancy
You’re quite welcome! And the praise is well deserved! You’re awesome my friend! 😀😀
Delightful! Love the visual storytelling, thank you so much for introducing such great art.
You’re so welcome!! I love making these introductions!! 😃
[…] – Nancy Lemon, doodlewash.com […]