Projects
Before founding Graymatters Design & Publishing, I spent decades as a creative professional across many disciplines—designing for print, web, brand, UX/UI, and digital platforms, while also working as a fine artist, set designer, and illustrator. My portfolio includes everything from Fortune 500 branding and strategic naming to packaging design, large-scale murals, and expressive paintings. I’ve led creative strategy for national campaigns and helped shape the visual and verbal identities of countless brands. That experience has shaped how I approach every author’s project today—with a designer’s eye, an artist’s intuition, and a storyteller’s heart.
My creative background spans design, branding, fine art, and illustration.
See more of my work beyond books:
Molly & Dane Hair Problems
Illustrator, Designer, and Brand Consultant
I collaborated with an independent author working with a hybrid publisher to bring her vision for Molly & Dane to life. In addition to illustrating and designing the book, I provided strategic branding and marketing guidance to help her establish a strong foundation for a potential series.
I developed a distinctive look and feel for the characters, streamlined the original title to Molly & Dane: Hair Problems to support future books, and suggested story concepts to expand the Molly & Dane world. To support outreach, I designed and built a companion website featuring custom content, downloadable activities, and engaging resources for kids, parents, and educators.
In addition to illustration, design, and branding, I produced a short animated book trailer featuring a custom theme song created using AI tools. This helped bring the characters to life and added a multimedia touch for social media and marketing purposes.
I created graphics for her author booth, and website. We are currently translating Molly & Dane into Spanish.
Tux the Little Emperor
Author, Illustrator & Publisher
Tux the Little Emperor is a heartwarming picture book I wrote, illustrated, and independently published. Designed for children ages 3–8, the story follows a determined little Emperor penguin on his journey through the icy Antarctic, blending charm with subtle messages of resilience and climate awareness.
I handled every aspect of the project—from story development and illustration to layout design and production. The book is available on Amazon in print-on-demand, Kindle, and a traditionally printed saddle-stitched edition.
To expand the world of Tux, I also created two companion titles. These supplemental books feature themed educational content, creative activities, and engaging games designed to support learning and storytelling in classrooms, at home, and during author visits. To support outreach and engagement, I created a book trailer and original AI-generated theme song to introduce Tux’s story in a fun and accessible way. The video has been used at author events, in classrooms, and on social media.
This project reflects my passion for storytelling, illustration, and creating cohesive, mission-driven publishing experiences for young readers.
Penguin Pals Coloring Fun
Author, Illustrator & Publisher
Waddle into a world of creativity with Penguin Pals Coloring Fun—a joyful 100-page coloring book designed especially for kids ages 3 and up! Filled with charm and bold-lined illustrations, it’s perfect for little hands and big imaginations.
Each page features an adorable penguin friend in a fun and imaginative scene—riding a school bus, sailing the sea, floating in a hot air balloon, cooking, building snowmen, and more! With one simple image per page, kids enjoy screen-free fun while developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and artistic confidence. Companion supplemental book to Tux the Little Emperor.
I illustrated the cover and used the power of AI to help create 100 playful penguin pages designed to inspire creativity and smiles. Print-on-demand and sold on Amazon.
QR codes have been added to the back covers and to print materials to make it easy for buyers to discover and purchase other books in this set.
Penguin Pals Activity Fun
Author, Illustrator & Publisher
Penguin Pals Activity Fun is a 100-page activity book I created for young learners ages 3 and up. It’s filled with joyful, hands-on activities that encourage early learning through play. From drawing prompts and color-by-number pages to handwriting practice, counting games, and mazes, each page was thoughtfully designed to engage curious minds and support skill development.
I designed and illustrated this book myself, blending hand-drawn charm with AI-assisted layouts and elements to streamline the creation of some interior puzzles and activities. The result is a playful, visually engaging book that offers variety, structure, and surprise on every page.
Whether kids are tracing letters, matching shapes, or helping a penguin through a maze, Penguin Pals Activity Fun keeps learning lighthearted and fun. It’s a wonderful companion to my Penguin Pals Coloring Book and ties in beautifully with the picture book Tux the Little Emperor.
QR codes have been added to the back covers and to print materials to make it easy for buyers to discover and purchase other books in this set.
The ABCs of Growing Up Healthy
Design concept development, illustration, book design, editing & publishing
Created in collaboration with an independent author and freelance writer, The ABCs of Growing Up Healthy is a vibrant children’s book designed to introduce young readers (ages 4–8) to foundational concepts of health, wellness, and kindness. The author sought to promote diversity among the children.
As the illustrator, designer, editor, and publisher, I worked closely with the author to provide creative direction for the book throughout its development. I developed a playful, inclusive visual style featuring a diverse range of children from various backgrounds.
The Light On The Mountain
Creative direction, editorial consulting, design & production, and publishing
For this deeply personal and spiritually grounded book, I collaborated closely with the author to shape the flow and visual language of her story. As both creative consultant and designer, I helped refine the manuscript’s structure and tone, providing editorial guidance to support a clear, heartfelt journey through grief, faith, and healing.
To bring the chapters to life, I created custom photo collages that reflect the emotional arc of each section, blending imagery and meaning in a way that feels both reflective and inviting. I designed the full interior layout, developed a thoughtful chapter structure, and oversaw production from file prep to traditional printing and delivery.
The finished book includes space for personal notes, a curated list of Bible verses for deeper study, and a format suitable for individual reflection or group Bible study, making it both a companion and a tool for spiritual growth.
Listening and Speaking
Character design, illustration, book design & international production
For this educational series, I partnered with a publishing company and an author to create a set of three engaging ESL books designed to teach English to children in China. I developed a cast of original characters, including a central family and their schoolmates, to appear consistently throughout the series, providing a familiar and friendly learning environment for young readers.
My illustrations were selected by the Chinese government from among many submissions worldwide for their wholesome, approachable style. Each image required cultural review and approval to ensure the content aligned with educational and cultural standards.
In addition to illustration, I oversaw the full design and layout of all three books, managing production in close collaboration with a Chinese printing company. The final books were printed and distributed to public schools across China as part of a national initiative to promote English language learning.
Composed in Nature
Concept development, illustration, book design, editing & publishing
Created in collaboration with an independent author. Composed in Nature is a lyrical exploration of the visible and invisible threads that shape us, from the rustle of leaves and the flutter of wings to the handwritten notes and melodies that linger in memory. Blending nature’s imagery with reflections on identity, inheritance, and creativity, this book invites readers to slow down and listen to the quiet composition unfolding all around and within.
Magazines
Concept development, illustration, design, editing & publishing
I designed and produced Evergreen Colorado magazines, including Visitor Guides and Wellness editions. I collaborated closely with clients to ensure timely production of interior pages, managed ad placement and design, and created engaging cover layouts. Using client-provided photography and curated imagery, I developed cover designs that captured the distinctive look and feel of Colorado. I utilized Photoshop to craft visually compelling monthly and annual covers with a strong graphic appeal.
Educational Viewbook
Concept development, design, editing & publishing
I partnered with the client to concept and design a vibrant, engaging viewbook for this private elementary school in Boulder, Colorado. I developed the overall theme, cover, and interior layout to reflect a fun, colorful, and welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of the school.
Educational Viewbook
Concept development, design, editing & publishing
I partnered with the client to concept and design a vibrant, engaging viewbook for this private elementary school in Houston Texas. I developed the overall theme, cover, and interior layout to reflect a fun, colorful, and welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of the school.
College Viewbook
Concept development, design, editing & publishing
As Art Director at The University of Tampa, I collaborated with the Dean of the School of Business to create the MBA Viewbook. The goal was to showcase the university’s iconic campus, highlighting its historic architecture, striking minarets, and dramatic nighttime lighting, while also emphasizing its unique location across the river from Downtown Tampa.
The Fat Envelope ebook Library
Concept development, design, writing, editing & publishing
To leverage my skills as a designer, writer, and professional with experience in college communications and admissions at The University of Tampa, I founded The Fat Envelope College Admissions Consulting. Understanding both sides of the process—how students can best present themselves and how admissions decisions are made—has given me unique insight into the “mystery” of college acceptance.
In 2014, I began developing an exclusive eBook library to guide students through every step of the admissions journey. What started as a handful of resources has grown into a collection of more than 50 titles, covering applications, essays, scholarships, interviews, body language, SAT/ACT prep, and strategies for thriving in college once accepted. Designed to be one of the most comprehensive collections available, this library is reserved exclusively for my clients, offering them tailored support and expert guidance at every stage.
