Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Allen Austin.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a suburban Florida neighborhood where houses were flat-roofed, single-storied structures painted in sun-bleached colors, with lawns speckled with scrubby plants. Day after day, the weather always seemed to be the same: hot, sunny, and humid. None of it matched images I saw on TV, in movies and books, and most importantly, in my mind. In those pictures, seasons changed, houses had staircases and spacious attics for exploring, fireplaces served as backdrops for holidays, and twisting oak trees beckoned climbing and fort building. These contrasts gave rise to my imagination and my desire to connect with the world through stories.
My first glimpse at something beyond my neighborhood existence was my grandmother’s apartment. It was packed with curiosities like statues from her European travels, old photos, dusty books, mysterious boxes and tins, clocks, and odd knick-knacks. Everything seemed to have a story and I wanted to hear them all. I saw connections to places unlike any I had visited.
I attribute my love for drawing to my father’s influence with his sketches of dogs and scary characters from my favorite movies. Following his example, my own art spilled out, often to the dismay of my parents, onto anything I could get my hands on, such as paper plates, walls and even rocks in the yard. My artistic development expanded to include acrylic painting and by high school, I began receiving invitations to participate in local art festivals.
I started college, believing I had to say goodbye to art. But after three years of studying medical technology, I changed majors. On trying to enroll in a figure drawing class, I hit a roadblock. The instructor dismissed my work and suggested I take an introductory art class, where the assignments were shading circles and squares. Not exactly what I had in mind. Discouraged? Sure. Destroyed? Of course, NOT. That experience told me about the kind of person I wanted to be—an artist who would never withhold encouragement or advice from someone trying to develop their abilities. Years later, an encounter with Carmen Agra Deedy, an author of children’s books, led to the first of many book assignments in my career—and to rich experiences collaborating with authors to bring stories and characters to life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Illustrating books isn’t something I have to do but rather something I get to do! I’ve been fortunate to have a variety of assignments. Every break carried valuable lessons that prepared me for the next one. For example, when creating displays for record labels and music retailers, I was exposed to a wide variety of materials, pushing my creativity in unexpected ways. I created one piece from air conditioning filters and moss and another from spray foam and rubber gloves.
While working in healthcare, I learned the importance of illustrating and designing to communicate clearly and quickly. Once I was sent to the pediatric cardiology wing of a hospital to illustrate from real life. Doctors and nurses raced about while children recovered from surgeries with chests full of tubes and wires connecting them to life-saving machines. That experience taught me how revealing the human condition through illustration and storytelling is vital to the healing process.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I illustrate and design everything I can. I’ve created for music labels, wineries, hospitals, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, mascots, animated films, Kellogg’s cereal boxes, and, of course, over twenty books, some for children and some for adults.
Book reviews include:
• School Library Journal has called Austin’s artwork “luminous” and “stunning.”
• Publishers Weekly called Austin’s illustrations “whimsical, haunting, and dynamic.”
• Children’s Literature said, “Austin’s characters are sculpturesque. . .”
• Kirkus Reviews called Austin’s compositions “clever.”
Illustration honors include:
• Gold Award from the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles
• An Amazon Best Book of the Year
• The Best Children’s Books of the Year (Bank Street College of Education)
• Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award
• International Latino Book Awards (Best Children’s Picture Book, English)
• Society of School Librarians International Book Awards
• Texas Bluebonnet Award
• PlayIllustration International Art Competition
Awards are fine, but I love hearing from people. I have received envelopes full of drawings and stories from children all over the country. They often send me pictures they’ve made based on something I said during a school visit or something from their own lives, like their dog or cat. These are some of the most rewarding moments, as I know we have both shared our unique perspectives and opened up the world for each other.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
There’s so much that inspires, from the historic architecture to the abundance of trees, parks, and gardens, not to mention the cultural vibrancy of fellow artists engaged in creating films, music, print, and all manner of plastic arts. Another plus is the location: Atlanta is on the circuit for major touring events, and you can easily road trip to mountains, rivers, beaches, and other towns with unique flavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.austinillustration.com
- Email: michael@austinillustration.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelallenaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.a.austin.75
Image Credit:
Artist photo by Jeanette Smith
www.pugdesigns.com
pugdesign13@gmail.com
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