We had the good fortune of connecting with Saul Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Saul, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Milton Caniff and Hal Foster are probably to blame. Like any child, I just couldn’t stop myself from drawing. I drew on anything I could find. I tried to emulate the comic strips I saw in newspapers. When I was six, I saw pictures of Caniff and Foster behind their art tables drawing their characters. I knew at that moment what I wanted it to do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in Editorial Illustration (Art that expresses an opinion) and Narrative Illustration (Art that tells a story). I use a comic strip-inspired style for all of my work. I’m most excited about the stories I can tell as a comic or graphic novel. I also create illustrations for Middle-Grade Books and Young Adult Graphic Novels.

The work is not easy. Difficulty varies from project to project. Breaking into the industry is even more challenging. Opportunities I’ve found are everywhere. You have to be observant and have your portfolio ready at all times. It comes down to timing in most cases. Social media is a force multiplier. You have to have a social media presence in the 21st century.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s an easy one, The Gaslamp Quarter. After taking in a Padres game (Go Padres!) Greystone Prime Steak House and Seafood would be where I would go.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators SoCal, along with my Alma Mater the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Most of all my family. Without the efforts of my parents, especially my mother, this wouldn’t be possible.

Website: IllustratorByNight.weebly.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/saulwashington

Twitter: @Saul_Version_3

Image Credits
Saul Washington – Illustrator

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