Janay Talbert

My name is Janay Talbert. I was born and raised in Lithia Springs, Georgia but I am currently based in Kansas City, Missouri. I work in both digital and traditional mediums. I have been drawing since I was very young. I often got into trouble at school because I could not use a piece of paper without drawing on it. Most of my inspiration and influences as an illustrator came from books and television during my childhood. As a child, my father read a lot of Dr. Suess books to my siblings and I and I was always so fascinated by the whimsy of the Suessian style and I often try to mimic it in my work. I also grew up watching re-runs of Hanna Barbera cartoons and School House Rock.  I also, like most people my age grew up watching Spongebob with its character designs that heavily reference fashion and culture in 1960s Hawaii and California. I focus on a younger audience with my work and hope to one day use my illustrations as a way to aid in children’s education and development whether that is through children’s picture books, workbooks, or educational toys.