Debi Payne

Debi Payne, illustrator of Alphadoodles and Time Out

Help our followers get to know you. What does a typical day in the life of Debi Payne involve? 
My typical day probably isn't like a typical day for most people. My husband Tim works in construction and his job takes him to new towns and states every few months. I am fortunate enough to be able to travel with him. Being an artist and working by myself works perfect for this type of situation because I am able to do my work anywhere. However, no matter where I am I still try to follow a strict regimen that keeps me on schedule. I start my day with checking email and all my on-line stores to see if there is anything that needs to be tended to first. I then move on to making my scheduled post on my blog, Facebook and Instagram. After I finish all these routine things I then start to work on whatever current project I am working on. Currently I am working on new collections that will be used on products as well as a new coloring book. I always like working on more than one project at a time so I can switch back and forth and always looking at my art with 'fresh eyes'. 

When did you first become interested in illustrating? 
I can't remember a time in my life when I wasn't interested in illustrating. Even as a small child I always wanted to draw. Yet, that always seemed to be something that I just did for myself, perhaps that was due to a lack of confidence. About ten years ago, (with the strong encouragement of my husband) I decided to get serious about making it my career. That has turned out to be an amazing journey in which I feel I have just barely started. 

What are your favourite things to draw? 
Whimsical flowers are probably my favorite things to draw, yet sometimes I just have to break out of that rut and try something different. I also really like drawing geometric shapes and fitting the shapes together to create an over all interesting design. I really like the simplicity of doodle drawing and I find myself frequently doodling to create something new and different. 

Where do you find inspiration?
I am so fortunate to be able to travel as much as I do because that give the opportunity to see new things all the time. I seem to find inspiration everywhere I look. When I see something that interest me or that I like, my husband will ask me, "how can you work that into your art?" That gets the wheels in my mind turning trying to figure out how I can take this "thing" and incorporate it into my art. A "thing" can be anything from a beautiful plant to an interesting design or texture on a wall. It can really be anything. 

If you weren't an illustrator what would you be?
The first thing that comes to mind with this question is "lost". I just can't imagine being anything else! However, if I had to choose something, I would have to say I would want to be an architect. My education is in architectural drafting. For several years I worked as an architectural drafter because it gave me the opportunity to draw with a pencil in my hand all day. Then when architectural transferred to computer drawings, I lost interest in it. However, I still enjoy designing buildings and houses. As long as I can be creating or designing something new, I could do anything. 

Why do you think adult colouring books have become so huge? 
When people first started asking for my drawings so they could color them I was really confused and I really didn't know what to make of this odd request. Then one day a read a comment on Facebook by a girl that had just finished coloring a page where she said, "I feel like an artist". At that point I understood. To me the best part of being an artist is the fact that when I am working on my art I am totally 100% in 'my world'. Nothing else matters and it is just me and my art. Nothing else gives me more peace and joy than working on my art. If this is what people feel when they are coloring a page, I totally understand why adult coloring books have become so huge. 

What does your working environment look like? 
My working environment changes all the time, yet there are a few things I keep with me when we travel. I have two fold up tables that I set up in a "L" shape. On one side is my computer and Wacom tablet for my digital drawing work. On the other side is my painting side where I have my paper, watercolors and markers. Those things stay the same, everything that surrounds that little same is what changes all the time. It can be a house, an apartment or even just a hotel room. But my work space always remains the same! 

Do you listen to music when you work? If so, who/what?
A lot of my work consist of writing. When I am writing I don't listen to anything because I need the quite so I can concentrate. However, when I am working on my art, I love listening to music. When I listen to music, I usually listen to pop music from the 60's, 70's and 80's. 

What are your favourite things in life? 
My favorite things in life aren't things, they are my husband, children and family! But when it comes to 'things', I would have to say art supplies. I look at art supplies like most women look at diamonds. To find a new marker, a new type of paper, or a new type of watercolors give me more joy than just about anything! (However, I will take the diamonds too!) 

Finally, please give 3 words that describe your work. 
Whimsical, simplistic, inspirational.

You can find Debi's books on Amazon.