I am very excited to have the talented
Elizabeth Eichelberger as my guest today!
First let me ask a few off the wall
questions that lets us know about the real Elizabeth Eichelberger
- Tell us all about yourself and what makes you tick?
I am a 42 year old
chronologically speaking, but mentally I am probably closer to 18. I
love to sing and draw. If I am not singing or drawing, chances are
likely I am cleaning.......I am a bit of a neat freak! Usually I am
singing whilst cleaning or drawing.
2. Tell us about
your family – married? Kids? Where you live!
I was raised in
Miami by my Mother and maternal Grandmother. I am the youngest of 7
(half siblings) and am the only child of my parents. Trust me....that
is a confusing one to explain to people!
I am quite
happily married and mother to a beautiful 11yr old daughter, who also
just happens to be my best friend! We live in a very rural portion
in the middle of nowhere, Florida!
- If you could travel anywhere in or out of this world, where would it be?
I have been so very
lucky to have traveled somewhat. I have been to Jamaica, the Bahamas,
Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Aruba, many parts
of Mexico, and Colombia. In the states, I have been all up and down
the eastern sea board. Growing up I would visit my Father once in a
while in Key West, Florida. The furthest west I have ever been in the
states though would be New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
There are so very many destinations I desire to see but the top
destination on my list has always remained Egypt.
- What is your favorite all time movie?
For roughly 34
years it was Xanadu. It was a natural fit growing up in the 70's and
80's. This year that changed. I am presently obsessed with
Maleficent!
- What about weekly TV show? Why?
Although I do not
especially care for most television shows lately...I will admit that
Criminal Minds is my guilty pleasure. I also loved the soon to be
cancelled CSI. I am eagerly anticipating the mini returns of both
The X-Files and Heroes as I was quite the fanatic of the two.
- What is the most scared you have ever been?
Although at 9 I had
a gun held to my head, that was NOTHING compared to watching my
Mother lose her fight to lung cancer. Knowing I could do nothing to
stop it and realizing I would lose her is a fear that is unimaginable
and I hope to never experience that fear or loss ever again.
- If you could have any fantasy, what would it be?
My mind resides in
fantasy. I dream it and draw it. I would love nothing more than to
live in a castle by an enchanted forest where fairies play and
dragons soar! As I also am extremely fond of the ocean, I would also
envision my back yard as the sea with serpents and mermaids.
- Now, Tell us about your journey becoming an illustrator? How long have you been drawing? What inspired you to get into this field? Give us the scoop!
Ahhh, this
illustration journey...it has been, thus far, quite a beautiful
experience! I have been drawing since before I could hold a pencil
accurately. As a toddler I drew and colored. I honestly do not
remember ever not drawing. My favorite electives in school were
always the art classes! I often was in trouble for doodling during my
academia classes. I considered commercial art marketing for college,
until I learned that the courses involved digital art and graphics.
Mind you, in the 90's that meant something TOTALLY different than it
does today. Young and not too bright, I opted out. Then I foolishly
saw digital art as cheating. I loved organic art. Nothing quite like
a paint brush or charcoal between my fingers. Developing arthritis,
neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome humbled me quickly. I was
sketching and painting less and less. Then.....I was given a tablet
for Christmas. I found an app called Infinite Painter. I was amazed
at what I could create. It had a learning curve and it was almost
like learning to draw from scratch after 35 years! I suddenly was
drawing again. All of the time. A close author friend I had grown up
with then introduced me to a game called Draw Something. I discovered
an entire community of people who shared my artistic passion. This
same friend then introduced me to an author in need of an
illustrator....the rest as we say, is history! I am so very excited
to have new books out with my illustrations simultaneously! The past
year has been quite a whirlwind. Being so very blessed to illustrate
four picture books.
- What is your favorite thing about drawing?
Being able to
create my own universe. Manipulating any aspect I want. I love pop
surrealism and low brow art and obviously fantasy! To draw what does
not exist but then leave it as a lasting impression to the viewer is
what I absolutely love the most. I love photography but that is
recreation, as is photo realism art. For me, I absolutely LOVE
creating something from my mind and others actually liking my
madness.
- What is your biggest pet peeve about illustrating for others?
I have been so
lucky to work with amazing authors. Those who have allowed me to
illustrate for them have never done anything I would consider a
peeve. What is perhaps the biggest peeve is when an author does not
choose me and then I see work virtually exact copies of the samples
I gave them.
- Where can people find you? (give all your links)
My
website
Twitter
Facebook
Blog
Google+
Deviant
Youtube
Sketchclub
Tumblr
Colors
live
Goodreads
Instagram
Flickr
Amazon
WordPress
https://alysathena.wordpress.com/
Linkedin
Take a peek at some of these unbelievable pictures!
Now I must say I am a real fan of Ms. Eichelberger as I got this....
Are you in the market for an illustrator? Elizabeth is the epitome of a professional and an absolute gem to work with. Contact her at Alysathena@gmail.com or check out the above website! 
Thank you so much for being my guest today, Elizabeth. Your pictures are amazing!
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