GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN

This one is especially close to me. The story, the characters, the world I helped craft with author Stephen Perkins clicked with me in a way that felt personal. Its message about following the beat of your own drum, no matter what others think, and defying your own interior criticisms hit home, mirroring my own creative journey.

When a young inventors’ contest comes to Morgan Park, Swoosh and his best friend MooMoo build something nobody asked for: a robot engineered from bent wheels, old motors, and wood the neighbors threw away. The crew laughs. His teacher tells him to dream smaller. Their robot doesn’t win. But one judge sees what the scoreboard missed, and pulls Swoosh aside with an invitation that changes everything. I worked with the author across 48 vibrant illustrations to create a story that teaches self-belief, perseverance, and the courage to go your own way.

As the illustrator for this project, I brought the story to life with:

• Expressive, Detail-Rich Characters: From Swoosh’s quiet determination to MooMoo’s steady support and Jamal’s evolving doubt, every expression and posture was crafted to help young readers feel what the characters are going through.
• Vibrant Urban Scenery: Set against the colorful backdrop of a South Side Chicago neighborhood, each spread is filled with warm, whimsical details—scavenged parts, chalk sketches, and community pride—that reward a closer look.
• Seamless Story & Layout Integration: I used an engaging comic book format to support fluid narrative pacing, allowing moments of planning, failure, triumph, and mentorship to land with impact.

The result is a heartfelt, visually engaging picture book that invites children to trust their own vision, embrace failure as part of growth, and discover that self-belief is the first invention. 

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