Alicia Broaddus
Most of my career I've been a technical illustrator, technical writer, and graphic designer. But my true passion is writing and illustrating children's stories. I'm originally from a small town, Irvine, Kentucky.
I now live in Indian Trail, North Carolina, near Charlotte. I spend as much time as possible illustrating and sharing my stories.
When I was a child, I spent countless hours exploring life through the characters in my favorite books. Adventures unfolded as quickly as I turned the pages. My mind was filled with images, and I just couldn't resist the urge to capture them on paper.
When my children came along, my illustrations became larger than life as they made the leap from my paper to the walls. I filled my kids' rooms from floor to ceiling with murals from stories they loved. And I made up stories and characters of my own to share with my little ones. I wrote stories about my kids and stories for my kids. Some contained valuable life lessons, and others were just for fun. Story time was a joy, especially with such an attentive, appreciative audience. Over the years, I developed quite a collection of stories and characters, which I am now illustrating to share with everyone.
Some of my stories rhyme, but not all of them. I like to pose questions to draw in little listeners and readers, and I like to share new words where I can to help enhance their vocabulary. I also include extras like reproducible activity pages, helpful notes, and other fun items. Children seem to enjoy these and love to participate in stories. My hope is to point them to God for their source of purpose and provision early in life.
I enjoy telling stories through pictures. I've used a variety of styles and mediums for my illustrations from pastels, watercolor, acrylics, and ink, to computer graphics. Sometimes I combine them. I've even discovered the joys of drawing on my tablet, though I still relish the opportunity for hands-on art.
I find early readers and chapter books have a lure all their own. They challenge the young reader to grow in reading and in imagination as they discover truths revealed by journeying through the pages.
Characters, plot, action, color, and detail (including what to put in, and what to leave out) breathe life into a story. Of course, stories are much more than style and medium or text and punctuation. Some are created in a studio or for a particular purpose. Others are the seed of inspiration. But, they are all conceived in the heart. They grow and are nurtured by the imagination. They are birthed with determination and the faith that they will live to invite others to share a wonderful world.
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Copyright Alicia Broaddus 2012-2019, All rights reserved.
