Because of my history in children's book illustration, I am often asked if all of my work is intended to be for children. The reality is that when working independently, I rarely consider any audience other than myself. The dominant theme that runs through my work is that it's about childhood. I love all the curiosities of childhood, the sense of wonder from experiencing something for the first time, and how the world seems to change from year to year. I have an appreciation for anything that is part sweet and part sad, like the frail and fleeting nature of youth. My work is inspired by children's literature, stop-motion animation, and the It's a Small World ride. I find greater influence, however, in the most unlikely of places and at the most unlikely moments.