Creative Journey: Mary Jane Begin’s Lecture
Our school had the pleasure of welcoming the renowned American illustrator and author Mary Jane Begin, a professor in the Illustration Department at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Celebrated for her extensive experience in illustration and teaching, Mary is an award-winning creator of children's picture books, including the beloved My Little Pony. During her lecture, Mary shared her unique artistic perspective and rich practical insights, inspiring our art students with an engaging exploration of her creative process.
Mary’s talk focused on the theme of “Character Design and World-Building,” emphasising the importance of ideation, research, and refinement in creative work. Through examples of iconic characters from Toy Story and How to Train Your Dragon, she illustrated how initial concepts evolve into final designs. Mary also shared a classroom exercise she frequently uses, where students brainstorm character ideas by observing shadow shapes, fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
In discussing her My Little Pony work, Mary offered insights into the world-building process. She explained how a combination of real-world visual elements and fantasy can produce credible, imaginative worlds. By blending real and fantastical creatures, like the “mer-pony,” she demonstrated her unique approach to creating engaging hybrid characters that captivate audiences.
Mary expressed her preference for traditional media, noting that while digital tools are widely used today, materials like watercolor and acrylics allow her to maintain a tactile connection to her work. She discussed her technique of layering colors to enhance vibrancy, emphasizing how this practice enriches character expression and storytelling.
During the Q&A session, Mary answered students’ questions about enhancing color vibrancy, overcoming creative blocks, and staying motivated. She advised students to draw inspiration from reading, museum visits, and nature, cautioning against overreliance on screens that can drain creativity. Mary also shared valuable tips for students planning to apply to RISD, highlighting the school’s focus on authentic expression, unique thought processes, and cohesive portfolio presentation.
This lecture provided our students with a unique opportunity to engage with a celebrated illustrator. Mary’s expertise and friendly, open approach motivated our students to explore their creativity with courage and dedication on their artistic journeys.
