327th Floor: Bringing Characters to Life with Illustrator Vanessa Montano

Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring a beloved character to life through illustration? Join us as we sit down with the incredibly talented Vanessa Montano, the artistic genius behind the enchanting character Ruffles. This episode takes a heartfelt look at trust and authenticity's vital role in creative collaborations, underscored by a cautionary tale about a previous experience with a fraudulent artist. Vanessa shares her journey and the significance of her social media presence, particularly on Instagram, in building her brand and launching her other creative venture, Lightning Bug Studios.

In a celebration of artistic passion, Vanessa takes us through her unique process of drawing visual inspiration from the world around her, whether it's the intricate details of nature or the awe-inspiring exhibits in natural history museums. Our admiration for her work shines through as we discuss how her illustrations transformed a children's book initially illustrated by our daughter, Makaila,  into a vivid and engaging story for young readers. Vanessa's story is a testament to the power of staying true to one's creative vision, even when faced with daunting risks, and the irreplaceable value of authenticity in art.

The episode wraps up with exploring the joy and fulfillment of pursuing artistic dreams as we reunite with beloved characters and embark on new creative projects. We share our enthusiasm for the character Ringo, highlighting his deeper, often overlooked backstory and the seamless teamwork that has marked our collaboration. With a look at future projects and a heartfelt message of gratitude, we encourage you to embrace the magic of storytelling and let it elevate your everyday experiences.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:13

Hey, it's Jen the Builder and Corey and we are welcoming you to take the elevator today.

Speaker 2: 0:20

Very special edition I think, a very special edition, I think. Indeed, I have to say that this is going to be a great time and I have a very good, particular reason why. And so, as we move forward into this podcast and program show, whatever you want to call it, if I get a little giddy or a little bit excited, you know why.

Speaker 1: 0:43

Oh, I absolutely know why. Little bit excited, you know why? Oh, I absolutely know why. This, um, we've got a very special person on and you know we've been talking about the fuzzy furry forest and ruffles, and we are very aware that ruffles has come alive through a very gifted, talented illustrator, and so I'm going to leave it up to you, cory, to give do the honor of introducing her.

Speaker 2: 1:06

Absolutely so here, for the first time, but definitely not the last time, we're going to welcome in Vanessa Montano. Welcome Vanessa.

Speaker 3: 1:16

Hi everyone, Good to be here. I'm really excited to do this podcast today.

Speaker 2: 1:21

Awesome, I'm glad you're here and I just want to start out because a lot of times, you know, we get really deep in the conversation and we forget to get these important keys and pointers. I'm going to ask you all the questions about who you are, where you come from, but can you just give us some of your social medias and how to view your stuff, your art, yep.

Speaker 3: 1:47

So my social media, it's V-M-O-N-T-A-N-O art. Just have Instagram right now. I'm getting to that age where I'm like I'm too old and crotchety to figure out like new social media, which is so funny because I'm not that old, but you know. So Instagram is the only one I understand these days. But yeah, you can find me on there, it's just vmontanoart. I post there and I also post on my small business account. I run, you know, a whole other business for like crackers and stuff and that's Lightning Bug Studios.

Speaker 2: 2:22

So you can find all that um through either instagram oh nice, nice and I like how simple that is yeah, me too, and I guess I hit that age too, because I just can't stand social media at times, so you know, what's funny is just on june 30th, it was social media day.

Speaker 1: 2:41

I'm like, oh, it's a thing, um, and it's so much traffic and social media. Vanessa cory and I'm we're on the same page as far as social media. There's just too much yeah right.

Speaker 2: 2:55

So let's just jump right into this and and see where it lands and how it goes. So I'm gonna tell a quick short story and then I'm gonna bring van Vanessa in I don't know the date that I was surfing on Instagram for help with my illustrations for my re-release on Ruffles and I came across this artist and I thought, wow, this is very interesting, I really like some of the artwork. And so I reached out to him and I began to have this dialogue back and forth and it's everything seemed on the level and okay and um, I did the crucial mistake of sending money to someone that, you know, I felt like was going to be a good fit, and it just went worse and worse and worse. So from bad okay to bad to worse, to awful, and then it just turned into a nightmare where he was constantly trying to get money from me even though I had stopped and we weren't even, you know, on those kind of good vibe levels anymore.

Speaker 2: 4:07

And then my heart was really broken and it just felt like I had been used and I was like, wow, I don't know if I want to do this. I'm going to have to go back to the physical world and figure this out. Well, I was on Google and I was just looking for artists and seeing what was out there and I came across this website and I'm not sure if Vanessa wants me to talk about that, so I won't say that name, but I came across Vanessa and I know I had all the hallmarks of a traumatized puppy because I was like I need to talk to you, I need to see who this is, I need something tangible.

Speaker 1: 4:43

And so she was like I get to see who this is. I don't trust. I need something tangible.

Speaker 2: 4:46

And so she was like I get it, don't worry, we can set up a Zoom and we can talk and get all this stuff out. And that's how I officially met Vanessa. So, vanessa, if you can tell even how you saw the story unfold and then just give us a little bit of your background so we can know who you are and how wonderful you are.

Speaker 3: 5:09

Right, and thank you, I appreciate that. Um, yeah, it was kind of funny because I think initially you reached out on Instagram, um, and I've always, like I'm kind of in the same boat, corey. I'm like, ah, I don't know, sometimes like Instagram's great, but like I never really like have gotten like an actual client. I've had people come in and be like, oh yeah, you know, like let's set something up and then, like you know, like you get further into it and they're like, yeah, actually, like nevermind, like you charge too much. You know stuff like that. And I'm like, okay, like let's just see where this goes. So I was kind of coming at it a little like not hesitant, but like kind of like okay, like let's, you know, just see where this goes. And then, like you know, the more we got talking and we set up a zoom call and, like you know, corey, you reassured me, I reassured you and it's just like, ever since, like that initial meeting, I feel like it's been such like a good fit and you know, like you know, we get along really well and, like you know, you trust me to kind of like bring my creative eye to it. I trust you to tell me, you know, like what you like, what you don't like and stuff like that. And um, yeah, it's just been, you know, a good partnership ever since.

Speaker 3: 6:17

And, um, you know a little bit about me. Um, I've been freelance illustrating and doing graphic design for six years now. I graduated from the College for Creative Studies in 2018. And, yeah, it's just been really nice. I've been working, like you know, like art adjacent jobs ever since. And then, when COVID hit, was really like when I started getting more and more opportunities to kind of do like books and publishing and editorial work, which is, you know, obviously my favorite thing to do. And when I'm not illustrating, I'm doing craft shows. And when I'm not doing craft shows, I'm baking bread recipes. I'm trying, you know, I go hiking Me and my partner, andy, we just got a puppy in oh my gosh October, november. We got her in November and so we've been taking care of her and like raising her and you know, I've always claimed myself, as you know, very proud dog mom. So that's, yeah, that's kind of, that's kind of long short of it.

Speaker 2: 7:23

Nice and before we move any further, and the reason why I keep saying that, because I have a direction that I'm trying to go just just tell me a little bit about your desire to be an artist. I'm not going to just limit you to the, the illustrations, because I've looked at your stuff multiple times. You probably see me liking a lot of stuff this morning. Tell me how this artist developed in you.

Speaker 3: 7:52

Yeah. So I think you know what's always been like great about me and my family is that like we're all really creative in different ways. Like my grandpa was like a big inspiration. He would do like mosaic, like tiling and stuff and he'd make like different designs and you know he'd always be like, no, I'm not creative, you guys are, and we're like no grandpa, like actually you are, you know, and so like he was a big support and like both of my parents, like they're very like invested in the arts, whether that's like music with my brother, um, or you know, like just illustration, and like you know, taking us to like go craft things at like Michael's craft store at, like you know, like on the weekends when we were kids and stuff like that.

Speaker 3: 8:35

So it's always been like really nurtured in me and I think, like when it started, um, my sister always jokes that like she could, you know, like every um, what do you call it? Like ever since she could hold a pencil, she could draw, and I'm like, oh yeah, you know, like me too. But actually I was just kind of like following her um, because she was like a big inspiration. She kind of like taught me how to like draw. Of course, the first thing we drew were dogs.

Speaker 3: 9:01

We were crazy dog people here but, um, you know, like ever since then, that's kind of like what started it for me was her kind of like teaching me like, hey, you know, like this is how you draw this and this is how you do this, you know, and um, yeah, so all throughout like middle school, high school, I never took any art classes, which I think is like really interesting that, like you know, like I had the option, but like I was in band, I played euphonium for like eight years you know, yeah and um, it was really fun and like I I was so like into that I never really like it went and like explored, like art as an elective Cause.

Speaker 3: 9:42

I'm like you know, like art's fun, but like I'd rather do that like on my own time.

Speaker 3: 9:46

And then, um, I got to college, community college and I took like a bunch of art classes. So I was like, well, I have no idea what I'm going to do, like that classic. Like you get out of high school and you're like, well, here I am, you know, and so you go to community college, you take like general art classes, but then you fall in love with it and it's just like it kind of reawoken that artistic and creative spirit in me Because it's something not like I was out of touch with, but I haven't fostered enough at that time, like fostered enough at that time. And, um, you know, community college, my professors, all my art professors, were like no, like you actually should be an illustrator. Like you know, seriously, think about it.

Speaker 3: 10:33

And so I turn around and I'm like, well, I don't know what else to do. And this is like the funniest thing, cause I'm like, okay, I'm just going to apply for the college for creative studies, like here's my work, and you know, let's see where it goes. And lo and behold, like six years later, you know I'm doing something that like I never thought, um, I'd be able to do, you know, full-time, and um, yeah, it's kind of the best job ever yeah, yeah, that's incredible.

Speaker 2: 11:01

um, I'm listening to just how the progression happened and what's amazing is like for me. I see how people just stumble into what they're supposed to be doing, and when you see that me being a musician, me being a writer and also some of the other things I'm involved in, I always want to ask another individual like yourself how does it feel to have just fallen into what you're supposed to be doing and knowing that this was what was meant to be all along?

Speaker 3: 11:39

Right and you know, corey, I'm definitely with you on that Like I feel like everything kind of like happens for a reason and especially, like you know, kind of stumbling into this career, it's the most like, fulfilling and amazing thing that like I think I could have ever expected, and like the fact that, like you know, like I've had such incredible opportunities so far, I'm only, like you know, a couple years into this and already like I feel, like you know, like I've proven myself, you know, as an illustrator, as, like a small business owner, you know, that kind of stuff it's like, it's just it's really cool to see it come like full circle, like this and, you know, falling into it.

Speaker 3: 12:19

It's just like it's serendipitous, you know it's like how would you you know there's no way like you know you're supposed to like, I feel like society's always, you know, kind of like, okay, like you have to like figure everything out. Like you know, plan ahead.

Speaker 2: 12:33

Oh yeah.

Speaker 3: 12:33

Yeah, with me. I was like, well, you know, like I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna go out on a whim and, like you know, at this point it's like you know I'm just following my gut and like it's, it's been really like beneficial to not only do that but also, like you know, stay true to myself, stay true to like that creative spirit that I have.

Speaker 2: 12:55

Indeed.

Speaker 1: 12:57

So I'm going to jump in here and I'm first I'm going to say congratulations, vanessa, on so many fronts, right, just hearing you talk about, um, the risk you took and that it was a risk that paid off. I love how you listen to your intuition and you've remained authentic to who you are as an artist. Like those are huge parts of life. And just hearing you get that at a young age, you know, and you've only been in it for two years that really speaks to me. And I'm going to say why. I believe Corey should have sent you the original book. Is that right, ruffles? Yeah, yeah. So those illustrations were done by our daughter. Who at the time? Corey? How old was she?

Speaker 2: 13:43

14.

Speaker 1: 13:44

14 years old and I, when Corey told me about you, I said I can't wait to see what she comes up with and to see how Michaela, our daughter, might have inspired that. So I really want to delve into your creative process, like when you got Ruffles. How did you determine how you're going to develop that visual style and characters for the book can? Can you walk us through that?

Speaker 3: 14:11

Oh sure, absolutely.

Speaker 3: 14:13

And I think you know I remember asking Corey pretty early on, like you know, because he did mention that your daughter did illustrate the original book, and I was like, oh, I really like want to see that, I want to see like where she's at and like you know what of the story and like I feel like that helped a lot because it was kind of like okay, like it was a good like starting point, a good like you know, like leap into how like I begin to visualize things, because it's like um, a lot of what I do is I just kind of like collect like visual data. This sounds so like um formal and like you know, scientific, but it's like literally just like okay, go to a natural um history museum, look at, like you know um what are those called?

Speaker 3: 14:59

like the um the dioramas oh yeah, dioramas with like forest things, and I live in michigan, so like we have a lot of like you know inspiration, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 3: 15:11

Yeah, and so a lot of like that is before I, you know, even start drawing. Like right after I read the book. I'm like, okay, gotta go. You know, get my visual data, so go outside. You know, I'm like, literally, it's so funny I just like stare, I'm just staring at like trees and like in my yard, like looking at everything that like we have around us and, uh, you know, taking pictures of different things like what does the wood grain look like?

Speaker 3: 15:37

you know stuff like that, that you know, I feel like, if you're not like you're like paying attention to it, you never, you would never think like, oh yeah, you know, like that's what Vanessa's like doing right now. That's what you know illustrators are, like you know doing, but, um, yeah, just kind of like doing that and um, I actually went to a couple of natural history museums with, um, my partner, andy and um, literally just looking at like all the different like forest creatures like you know seeing, like the shape that they're, you know like they make up, like you know being like the shape that they're, you know like they make up, looking at you know how, how can I take this like complex creature, like a deer? You know how can I take that and like simplify it in a way that is like readable and easy and, like you know, has a lot of personality?

Speaker 1: 16:27

you know, and that's kind of.

Speaker 3: 16:29

After I get all of that information, then I go and I sketch, you know, and it's always so inspiring too when you get back from like a trip or you're, like you know, kind of like looking outside and just kind of like observing nature as it goes, because that's that's I feel like really important to my process.

Speaker 1: 16:48

You know, that's how.

Speaker 1: 16:49

I it feels like the most, like authentic yeah, and how inspiring to be, in nature itself, like if there isn't anything that's a more powerful muse. I don't know what is um, and I have to tell you when, when Corey gets herself. So first let me back up when Corey had that horror story with the, the guy he was talking about. Um, it must have been really horrific, cory, because I was not a part of that. I didn't know that you were going through a scam. I didn't tell anyone, I think I was so embarrassed yeah

Speaker 1: 17:21

so then when you told me about vanessa, I was like cool, you know it's, let's see what she comes up with. And what spoke to me about your artistry, vanessa, is that you took the book and you made it come to life, but in such a way that I could really feel the characters and their facial expressions, just in the way they were moving throughout the book. It's so great and I wish you could have been there when we read the book or when Corey read the book to children in our community, just to see the kids flipping through the pages. And they were like touching the pages, touching your artwork. You saw the smiles. You saw that some pictures struck them more than others and they'd flip back and just look and you can't explain. All right, you know I can't explain to you what that was like. I wish I had taken a video and been able to send that to you, but it was such a hit and they were so inspired and they were like you mean we could draw two and we could write books if we want.

Speaker 2: 18:32

So that's the impact that you're having here in california yeah and it warms my heart oh yeah, and, and that's a real story because, um, as she said, you know I'm reading these books and, of course, the words are giving the, the, the pictures?

Speaker 1: 18:51

Yeah, it like well to Vanessa's point. Right, it goes full circle. Yeah, so the pictures support the literary work and then vice versa.

Speaker 2: 19:01

Right, but to see the children just in awe of the pictures and connecting with the pictures.

Speaker 2: 19:08

that was on the next level. And so I really enjoyed and I took time and I do these things and I tell Jen about it all the time, where I do timestamps in my mind to remember that moment, that time and what's happening. And I knew right then that you and I were touching the lives of young children in California and eventually all over the world. So it's a joy that I cannot explain, but I just know I love it and I want more of it.

Speaker 3: 19:39

Right, yeah, hey, I'm right there with you on that. That is just absolutely incredible and I think that's like, as you know, as fellow creatives, I feel like that's all you could ever ask for, you know, to inspire the next kind of generation of kids. You know, yeah.

Speaker 2: 19:55

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 20:00

And so that's really what the Fuzzy Furry Forest is about. In line with that, just like really is a huge check mark on that list of not just the work but the people we partner with. So, as you can see, we're really big into community and I'm wondering and I read some stuff, vanessa, and I don't know if it's correct, but I think you do stuff in the community, is that, or did I? Did I read that wrong?

Speaker 3: 20:35

as far as oh sorry about that.

Speaker 1: 20:38

Um, just your activity in the artistic community. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?

Speaker 3: 20:45

right? Yeah, I mean, I like to. I just recently started doing live streams, um on Instagram and I want to go over and do some on Twitch too and um, it's really just me like just drawing in the company of like fellow creative and, um, it's been so cool and like I only did it like once or twice, but it's just like you know, it's just being around like creative people is just so like energizing and inspiring. That, like you know, that couple years back, where I contacted like a bunch of friends and artists from around the Midwest to get together and like make a postcard about you know their favorite spot in the Midwest or like you know their favorite food, something like that, and that was really cool to kind of be able to collaborate on that level too and just kind of like get everyone together and like make something really cool, kind of be able to collaborate on that level too and just kind of like get everyone together and like make something really cool, you know, and so I, I I always like say this to everybody.

Speaker 3: 21:59

really, it's like one of those things I'm like always talking about. But I'm just like you know, anything like I can do to kind of like get more people back into drawing, cause I know a lot of people, um, even that I went to school with you know it's just like they don't like they're burnt out, they don't want to do it anymore, or, like you know, they don't like have a like inspiration to do it. And you know, if I can, like you know, come up with like fun ways, like you know the postcard pack, or like even just like live streaming, like do a draw with me, kind of thing, like I feel like that's just you know the postcard pack, or like even just like live streaming, like do a draw with me, kind of thing, like I feel like that's just you know it's, it's, it's a good and like beneficial thing for everybody, because I feel like everyone kind of needs that. Like you know, creative, like push sometimes, absolutely yeah.

Speaker 2: 22:44

And I'm so there with you and I feel when I say that, I mean I really, really want people to get back I'm hardcore into music. I really want children, people, adults, to get back to playing live instruments using pen and pad or nowadays, you know, you have an iPad to draw on or some kind of tablet. I really want people to get back into doing that kind of stuff. So I know exactly what you're saying. Moving forward, vanessa, you know you've completed now two projects with me, and the first one was Ruffles, and a lot of people don't know that we're doing more books in this series. You just completed the illustrations for Oswald the wise old owl as well, and I just wanted to get your take on the journey into that. Through that and now finishing with it, can you give us a little bit, a little bit of background on on how that journey was?

Speaker 3: 23:49

Yeah. So, corey, when you reached out, um, I think it was like in january and you know you were like, hey, like I got another project. I was so excited that, like you know, and I'm sure you guys were too but it's like to be back in, you know, this world with these characters that, like you know, I've grown really attached to. Like ringo is my boy. I love him.

Speaker 3: 24:14

Don't tell, uh, don't tell the other one, but you know it's just like, it's just so like exciting and fun to, like I said earlier, like just being back in that like space of, like you know we're like both like going toward. Like you know we're like both like going toward, like you know we're being driven towards, like this next project and like you know to have that, um, you know space to like revisit these guys and, you know, make something else with them is just, it's just the best nice, that's, uh, that's the exact same feeling that I had.

Speaker 2: 24:50

You know, we not rewriting, but writing a second part of of this series. I'm just like, oh my god, I get a chance to be in this world again and hang out, and and I know so, in the imagination of a, a writer or illustrator, we're literally playing with our friends, so to speak you know, and so I had a chance to go back into that and it was just such a joy and such a treat and, to be honest with you, I couldn't see bringing anyone else into that.

Speaker 2: 25:21

So I was like I need someone who knows this, understands this and gets it. And so that's why it was a no brainer for me to reach back out to you and, as I told Jen, I said, look, I'm about to hit her up and let her know this is where I'm going and I hope she's in, and if she is, then we're going full scheme ahead. Jen, can you give a little bit of how you felt once you seen the excitement and knew that we were going to forge forward?

Speaker 3: 25:49

Oh you know, I can't even like describe it, it's so hard. I remember at the end of Ruffles you were saying like, oh you know, like you know, maybe we have another project coming up like stay tuned, and I was like, oh yeah, it would be so great to work with Corey again. Like you know, like I said, like we just like we get along really well and like I told you the other day like working with you is like a dream.

Speaker 3: 26:13

You are the best client like I've ever had. Um, no joke. Like yes and um, you know. So, like when I got that email and like we talked on the phone, I was like let's do this.

Speaker 3: 26:22

Like you know, not like I had a lot of things to drop, but I was like I'm ready to drop everything and just go full steam in this because, like I grew up pretty much at the library, like I was there all the time like reading books and, like you know, like you were saying earlier, like you do get attached to like characters and you know like when you're the one who's drawing them, it's like it's a whole different thing.

Speaker 3: 26:43

It's like it's such, like a precious, like, it's such a precious thing to be a part of, and it's like you know they're like your friends at that point and, like you know, to be able to go back to that and like not only like you know, like you're already invested in it and it's like then you're like, oh wait, but like you know, this is like another chance to like tell another story and to, like you know, revisit everything. And, like you know, like we were talking about earlier, like it's another chance for, like you know, kids to have like a really good like experience and learn some things. And you know I can't ask for anything more than that. And you know when you did reach out to me I was like so excited.

Speaker 1: 27:27

And we can hear the excitement and I think this is my first time ever speaking to you and hearing um from you directly. I just get to be on the sidelines and listen to the stories and and feel Corey's excitement that he's partnered with someone who's just as passionate about ruffles. And now that we know that ringo is your favorite character, I'm like I wonder if ringo's on the outline for a future book and if so, I wonder what those pictures are gonna look like they're gonna be dialed up to 11.

Speaker 1: 28:07

I have a feeling Because now we know there's a bias, and I'm all for it too.

Speaker 2: 28:14

I love the bias. Bring the bias. I can't help it.

Speaker 1: 28:18

So you two have had so much fun, I just had to join in on the fun and so, as you may already know, vanessa, we're going to start co-writing. So the third book was co-written by Corey and I, and I love hearing your journey and just how supportive your family was in your artistry. That a lot of families aren't like that, unfortunately, because it is shaky, is what they think. Or how can you really make a career and flourish at something that everyone else does right? And so that just really speaks to me as someone who is going back to her first loves, because life happens and you get caught up and you figure for that moment you need to do the more responsible thing right so now, through you and through Corey, I get to go back to some of my childhood stuff that I love.

Speaker 1: 29:21

So that's what has brought me back to this and I'm excited to partner with you. And I know I can't wait till we get to talk about the third book on this podcast, because I love Oswald, I love everything that's coming from it. And the third one, um, I just can't wait to see your work and, um, I think the third one's going to be my bias. My, you know, personally, I think that was going to be like you're going to hear from me like, oh little bit, I wrote a blog and it's called for the joy of being free and just embracing the freedom of doing things solely for the sake of joy, revisiting activities right that you set aside for other obligations. Can you please just describe what led you with such tenacity to pursue this as your career and any regrets you might have had or any wins that you can share with us?

Speaker 3: 30:55

Right, I think you know that's such like an important topic to touch upon is, like you know, just doing things for the sake of doing them. I'm so like passionate about that. I could go on. We could have a whole nother podcast.

Speaker 1: 31:09

You're invited. You're invited.

Speaker 3: 31:12

I'll be there. I'll be there, but, um, you know it's like, even if, like you know, like it's a couple minutes every day, like if you'd like to draw, just draw, you know it's like it doesn't have to be for anyone, you don't have to post it anywhere. You know, like there's a lot of stress around you know, like creating content.

Speaker 3: 31:29

You know we talked a little earlier about social media, but it's like you know, like just do it. You know we talked a little earlier about social media, but it's like you know, like just do it for you and like, at the end of the day, like, like, if you're happy, you know, and if it's something that makes you happy, then please pursue it.

Speaker 1: 31:42

You know anybody out there?

Speaker 3: 31:43

who is thinking about it like oh, I'm not creative enough, it's like, no, you are, I promise. I promise everybody still like has that, um, that inner child and like that inner spark, and it's just a matter of like finding it. Um, and I think, for me, what has made me so like tenacious is I always joke about this, but I'm a Taurus, I'm the most okay, it makes sense.

Speaker 1: 32:11

My earth friend, I love it.

Speaker 3: 32:15

Yeah. So I feel like that explains a lot. But uh, you know, so it's just, I approach things very like headstrong and it's like if I have a goal, I am going to like try my darndest to get it. You know, it doesn't matter like what I have to do, like I'm gonna get there.

Speaker 3: 32:31

And like you know, I think the thing with me is like I can always like visualize it, you know, and so like, yeah, when like Corey initially reached out, it was like, okay, like I see this book, you know, like I can see it, and we just started talking, and like you know, it's like just having that like belief in myself too, because it's, you know, like after a couple years you kind of you get more comfortable with yourself and like you know what kind of art you can produce and like you get confident and, um, I feel like that's really important too. It's like you, you know, you just gotta keep like reminding yourself. Like you know, like what you're doing is like worthwhile and like it makes you happy and like you know you're able to support like your family with it, you know like I can.

Speaker 3: 33:19

I can do like amazing things and you know, now we have a dog it's like I can buy her the fancy dog treat.

Speaker 1: 33:26

What's your dog's name, by the way? Mabel, mabel. All good for Mabel. She's getting good doggy treats.

Speaker 2: 33:35

Right on so before.

Speaker 3: 33:41

So I think, oh, sorry, corey.

Speaker 2: 33:42

No, no, go ahead. I want you to finish.

Speaker 3: 33:45

Oh no, I was just going to say like I think you know, a combination of like stubbornness and, like you know, just being really like driven and, like you know, being able to like visualize where I want to go, has been like the things that have like pushed me so far in my career so far.

Speaker 2: 34:04

That's amazing and I love every ounce of that. Before we wrap up, I wanted to give you an opportunity to give a shout out to anyone that you feel like you know I need to give some special love to or some acknowledgement to, if you want to.

Speaker 3: 34:22

Yeah no, absolutely. So. I'm going to shout out my sister, christina, who started this whole journey with me, even though sometimes she made me cry if I didn't draw a dog right, but you know, I forgive you, it's okay. Um, you know, she's always been a good like sounding board for me and always helps me push my ideas further. And my partner, andy, um, I love you very, very much. You're asleep right now in the next room. I hope I'm not waking you up, but you know, thanks for always being my rock and pushing me where I need to go, and to the deep end. Andy, I love you very much and I can't wait to see your face when you listen to this podcast, because I know it's going to be beaming.

Speaker 1: 35:15

She's still there.

Speaker 3: 35:18

Hello oh you're still there, oh.

Speaker 2: 35:23

I didn't know if I had fallen off or if you had fallen off. So, yeah, I really appreciate this time that we have with you off. So, yeah, I really appreciate this time that we have with you and I think this is going to inspire a lot of people and bring a lot of people into a new mindset on following and pursuing the things that make them happy and their first love.

Speaker 3: 35:46

Absolutely, and that's all I could hope for.

Speaker 2: 35:48

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 35:49

I mean, there are so many other questions. I would love to just go ahead and already pre-invite you for another episode, if that's okay, Vanessa.

Speaker 3: 35:58

Oh, I would love to. You guys are such a delight, honestly, Like it has been such a joy talking to you guys today and I'm very excited about book number three.

Speaker 1: 36:09

And then Ringo Corey. That better be on your list it definitely is.

Speaker 2: 36:13

But I gotta save the best for last, because I got a special place in my heart for that guy as well.

Speaker 1: 36:18

But I have to say this. I have to say this, vanessa we need to do another episode when all this is said and done, because I don't know if Corey is giving you the background behind all these characters. And there's a story behind the story which adds these layers that are going to blow your mind, and Ringo's is one of my favorite stories, yeah.

Speaker 3: 36:45

Oh, don't even tell me that.

Speaker 1: 36:47

Oh, you have no idea and I'm just like oh my gosh, gosh. I hope people don't misunderstand ringo, because, like with life, right, people present and there's so much more context than what we see at face value and I think that's what speaks to me about ringo there's this whole thing behind them. You're like ah, I see I get you and I'm excited for you because you're going places.

Speaker 2: 37:15

Yeah well, like like jen said, and like I know you feel um, at this point we can have multiple podcasts off of this one conversation, but I don't want to hold you up too much longer. I just again I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and j. Jen is in the same space and we're going to do our, our famous and formal wrap up and Jen's going to leave that.

Speaker 1: 37:40

Yeah Well, you know us. At take the elevator, we say look up and let elevate Every day, elevate, every day, elevate.