Monday, October 17, 2011

Sweet Surprise



David Leonard called me last week to accept an illustration assignment I had sent him. This normally jovial illustrator suddenly became serious. “Cindy,” he said. “I’ve been meaning to talk with you for years about something.” I braced myself; this sounded bad. He began with a deep breath. “I want to thank you for the faith you’ve had in me. You don’t know this but I was ready to give up my dream of being an illustrator before I met you. I often look back to my first real job as an illustrator, for a real publication, for an amazing art director and now dear friend, Cindy. Thank you for starting me off and being alongside me, encouraging me.” Of course, I had a difficult time responding to this. Dave is one of the most talented illustrators I know. To think I played a part in his success is unimaginable. We spoke some more and I tried to assure him that it was his own talent, tenacity, and dedication to his dream that brought him to my attention. This led to me discussing my own dream of moving home to SC. I asked Dave if he would write a recommendation for me for this blog. He wrote back:

“In the cynical world of illustration, I hold Cindy as a ray of light, a turning point in my hopes of a career in illustration. The über belief she had in my work encouraged me to chase after my dreams. My illustrations have now appeared in The New Yorker, for Major League Baseball, in hosts of magazines and children’s books.”

David Leonard

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