"I've drawn pretty much my whole life," said Wasden. "I love coming up with an idea and being able to put it into a form someone can see and understand."
Wasden's website, kevinwasden.com, serves as an online portfolio that allows his work to be seen and understood by as many people as possible. It includes everything from his Little Women illustrations for Avon Camelot Books to the 'terrible lizards' he drew for Dan Les-sem's book, All the Dirt on Dinosaurs.
The largest section of the online portfolio, however, is devoted to science fiction and fantasy art. Dragons, blasters and warriors of all time periods grace a variety of works that went on to become book covers and illustrations for stories in magazines.
"I've always been drawn to the genre," said Wasden. "It's part of what's kept me in illustration. Science fiction and fantasy don't really lend themselves to fine art."
Wasden's illustration career began while he was going to school at Utah State University, where a friend recommended his name to illustrate a project one of the professors was working on. Eventually, the professor hired Wasden to illustrate two of the books he was putting together.
Later, Wasden followed his wife to New York so that she could finish school. While there he took an oil painting class, and the teacher recommended him to a local agent. When she liked what she saw, she agreed to take him on as one of her artists.
According to Wasden, creating art to someone else's specifications can be both rewarding and frustrating.
"Sometimes it's fun to get the guidelines and figure out how you can still put yourself into it," said Wasden. "But other times you want to break out artistically and can't."
To help himself break out, Wasden is also starting an online comic called "Technosaurs Unearthed," which can be found at www.splintered-mind.com. He is currently in talks to release the comic as a limited series.
These days, Wasden juggles an illustrating career, three young kids, and a day job as the Vice-President of Creative Services for Alinco Costumes, which creates mascot costumes for sports teams.
Wasden said that though he could make about as much money illustrating as he does at Alinco, freelancing's lack of benefits and extra tax responsibility encourage him to keep both jobs.
"I normally do my freelance work after the kids go to bed, from about 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.," said Wasden. "I get only a little sleep, but I get to keep doing the things I enjoy most; drawing and painting."
Though Wasden's wife and children are all supportive of his illustration career, reaction from neighbors tends to be mixed.
"A lot of people think it's cool and want to come over and see my work," said Wasden. "Other people don't take it seriously and think I can come help them move because I'm just sitting at home. But I'm doing my job, and I need that time."
When asked what advice he would have for others looking to start a freelance illustration career, Wasden warned that competition is much higher since digital art has allowed so many more artists into the field. In the past 10 years more and more illustrators have also taken on creative day jobs.
Still, even that information won't be enough to deter the truly dedicated, and for those people Wasden suggests they start by focusing their portfolio on the market they're most interested in.
"Being a freelance illustrator is definitely not easy," said Wasden. "It's something you should do only because you really enjoy it."
jwardell@davisclipper.com
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