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noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism, and Social ChangeAuthor: Stephanie Graham
Want to hear how real artists actually make it work? noseyAF is the show where we skip the glossy bios and get into the messy, creative, human parts of building a life in the arts. Im Stephanie Graham, an artist, filmmaker, and professionally nosy person, and every episode I talk with working artists, filmmakers, organizers, and culture-shifters about whats really behind their projects: the decisions, the doubts, the money stuff, the pivots, and the how do you keep going? moments. No hustle propaganda. No gatekeeping. No pretending its easy. Just honest, energizing conversations that fuel your creative life and remind you youre not alone. If youre an artist, curator, cultural worker, or just someone who loves peeking behind the curtain, noseyAF gives you real talk, practical ideas, and the creative spark you didnt know you needed. Language: en Genres: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book Illustration
Episode 101
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026
Ep #101: Freedom, Flexibility, and Filling the Gap: How Melquea Smith Built a Creative Life Through Children's Book IllustrationSummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Melquea Smith, a children's book illustrator, author, and world traveler who's redefining what it means to build a creative life on your own terms. Fresh off five weeks in Belgium (with cats and a chicken!), Melquea shares how losing her nonprofit job became the catalyst for going full-time as an illustrator, why representation in children's books matters deeply, and how she's scaling her art through Brown Sugar Graphics—a clip art membership celebrating Black and Brown kids in all their beautiful diversity.We get into the nitty-gritty of how picture books actually get made, what authors should look for when hiring an illustrator, and why visual storytelling is so much more than "just drawing." Plus, Melquea drops gems on building a sustainable creative business, navigating perfectionism, and finding alignment between your work, your values, and your joy.If you've ever wondered what goes into those gorgeous picture books, dreamed of going location-independent as a creative, or just need permission to imagine a different way of living—this one's for you.Chapters00:19 - Introducing Melquea Smith: A Visionary in Children's Literature10:13 - Navigating Change: Embracing Freedom and Creativity20:00 - Transitioning to Children's Illustration35:06 - The Importance of Representation in Children's Literature56:41 - The Journey of Creating Diverse Clip Art01:02:01 - The Creative Journey of Brown Sugar GraphicsWhat We Talk AboutHow Melquea networked like a pro at the American Library Association Conference with custom postcards and a manuscript wish listLosing a job in the nonprofit world and choosing full-time illustration instead of going back to corporateLiving and working abroad: five weeks in Belgium, falling in love with the Netherlands, and becoming a global citizenThe actual process of illustrating a children's book—from thumbnails to color scripting to final artWhy illustrators aren't just "drawers"—they're visual storytellers, marketers, and business ownersThe severe lack of diverse, high-quality clip art featuring Black and Brown kidsHow Brown Sugar Graphics is filling that gap with joyful, authentic representations of kids with different skin tones, hair textures, body types, abilities, and moreWhat authors should know before hiring an illustrator (hint: it's not just about the art)The power of email lists, the exhaustion of social media, and showing up where it matters mostThings We Mentioned
