From sketchbook scribbles to published pages, illustrator and author Mike Lowery has built a career on art. The Atlanta based artist has illustrated for The New York Times, Disney and Reader's Digest.
Lowery will be visiting the Columbia Museum of Art on April 2. Known for titles like the "Doodle Adventures" series and "Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides," Lowery also worked as a professor and teaches online classes, traveling to conduct lectures and workshops. He has been publishing his work for about 18 years.
The event, where Lowery will lecture on his career and the importance of daily creative habits, is in collaboration with the University of South Carolina's School of Visual Art and Design. Studio art professor Marius Valdes wrote a proposal to invite Lowery to USC for a lecture. Valdes discovered Lowery's work when reading one of the children's books Lowery illustrated to his daughter.
"When my daughter was little, one of my favorite kids' books to read to her was a book called 'Ribbit Rabbit,' and I looked up the illustrator and it was Mike," Valdes said. "I started following him online and was a big fan of his work."
Lowery said his grandmother first introduced him to the idea of keeping a sketchbook. Lowery described his sketchbook as a collection of little pieces of his life.
"The theme is really going to be about how, for me, keeping a sketchbook has led to my entire career as an artist," Lowery said.
Lowery will also be discussing his professional career as an artist. Valdes said he is encouraging his students to attend because of the knowledge Lowery has regarding the business side of illustration. Valdes said Lowery's life asa professional artist could be an inspiration to students who are unsure of what they will do after graduation. Lowery has done a variety of different types of artistic work, ranging from greeting cards and stationary to graphic novels.
"Being in academia, my primary job is education," Valdes said. "Mike is a professional illustrator, and that's all he does, and I'm always curious to hear that perspective. I think it's really important for the students to hear from someone who does this every day."
Lowery said he advises aspiring illustrators to be open to doing different types of work for two reasons.
"Whenever I talk to people who are wanting to be illustrators, I always really encourage them to try different types of stuff for a lot of reasons," Lowery said. "One, because it can help you make it your living because there's more types of jobs you could be getting, and it also can mean you have more fun. You're not just doing the same thing over and over."
Event planners chose to align Lowery’s visit with First Thursday on Main. On the first Thursday of each month, Columbia showcases local art downtown. The event features bands, food trucks and art vendors. Additionally on this day, the museum is free to the public.
Dana Witkoski, the engagement manager at the Columbia Museum of Art, said she sees the collaboration of these events as the best of both worlds for visitors.
"It's really exciting, I think, to have all that really fun activity outside and then having a lecture inside," Witkoski said.
Witkoski encourages students who are interested in a career in art to take advice from those who have been successful, especially in this age of increasing artificial intelligence.
"These really creativefields that use a lot of tactile and handmade things are really special," Witkoski said. "Hearing from someone who is having success in that field could be really inspirational to them."
Lowery said this event is not limited to just artists. He said he invites anyone who values creativity because he is an author and illustrator.
"My hope would be that anybody who is interested in a daily creative practice in some way would come," Lowery said. "It's not going to be a very intimidating atmosphere."
Before the event, Lowery will be conducting a workshop with a group of seniors specializing in design and juniors specializing in illustration.
"An Evening with Illustrator Mike Lowery" will take place on April 2 at the Columbia Museum of Art. The talk will begin at 6 p.m. After the talk, Lowery will answer audience questions and be available to sign books. Although the event is free, registration is required. Registration is available on the Columbia Museum of Art's website.