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jamesnewton18

The Media that Shapes Me (And You!)

An arrangement of media that inspires my picture book illustration and art overall.
A handful of things that have inspired me creatively. From left to right, top to bottom: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, The Boy and the Heron by Hiyao Miyazaki, Over the Garden Wall by Patrick McHale, Poker Face by Rian Johnson, and Strange Trails by Lord Huron.

What Inspires my Picture Book Illustrations? Everything.

The summer of 2015 was my last true summer. It was the summer that stood between my high school graduation and college orientation. There was a tension in me, one that came from having too many questions and not a single answer. I didn't particularly relish my time in high school, and I hadn't heard many great stories about what happens to people when they start college: stress, isolation, and culture shock. It was a colossal question mark plummeting towards me - Would I do well? Who would I meet? Would I fit in?

One idle afternoon that summer I stumbled onto an album called Strange Trails, and I was transported to a world of dark forests, strange encounters, and peace in the face of the unknown. The vibrant yet lonely sound, interconnected world of lyrics, and supernatural imagery moved me in a way I didn't even know music could! It brought comfort to me, though I didn't fully understand why at first. What I did understand by the end of the summer is that questions without answers don't have to be a reason to fear, they can be an invitation for adventure.

Media is Powerful.

Lord Huron moved me in a crazy way that summer. Other media is moving you, too.

Movies, streaming series, books, music, paintings, speeches, knick-knacks, billboards, social media posts, plays, video games, essays, architecture, landscaping, food; it's all art. It reflects the heart of the artist - the gardener, graphic designer, or actor - and affects us in a conscious or subconscious way.

"That movie was really fun!"

"This house is so...open!"

"That post makes me wish I was like him."

These thoughts that different media create in us can lead to decisions we never would have made otherwise. Those decisions have the potential to alter the trajectory of our lives! That's significant! You may think I'm being dramatic, which is fair. Not every piece of art can alter our life trajectories, but when art really resonates with someone, there's a very high chance of impact - like I mentioned with Lord Huron earlier. This is why people are still making art; there is still impact to be made!

Consuming Consciously

 One of the reigning soundbites from a friend and I's old film podcast is this: "There is a dialogue happening between you and [the media you consume], whether you want there to be or not."

I want to put out a small challenge to everyone still reading: be mindful of the media you're consuming. If we as consumers don't take stock of what is affecting the way we think, we may find ourselves wanting things we don't need and viewing ourselves and the world in ways that are untrue. Does this mean we shouldn't engage with things we disagree with? Absolutely not! Art can create empathy towards the artist or the ideas they represent. There's value in exploring new ideas even if they're disagreeable.

Under this mindful philosophy of media consumption we can engage with any art openly as long as time is taken to debrief and understand the art. From there, decisions about agreement, disagreement, or otherwise can be made.

Creating with Your Whole Heart

Likewise, artists of all kinds have a responsibility to be aware of the narratives our work is putting out into the world. This is why I want my picture books to create empathy, a desire for true friendships and community, and inspire wonder in the reader. For specifically Christian picture books, I want readers to be more equipped to see God in new ways and invite Him into new parts of their lives, especially the monotonous, everyday parts. Additionally, as an artist, my work is built entirely on the inspiration that other people's artwork inspires in me - from paintings, to cartoons, to YouTube.

When creating art, however, artists must hold loosely the reception of their work, because a dozen people can interpret something a dozen different ways. This is the most beautiful and dangerous element of creating something. Avoid harmful and dangerous misinterpretations by doing proper research and bringing your work to trusted friends and colleagues before sharing it with the world.


No matter what you make or what you consume, do it with intention, from radio station to Rembrandt.


Do you have a story that you just can't shake? Next week, come by to learn about what to do with a picture book idea. Until then, safe travels!

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