Vicki Hamilton-Allen talks with the incredibly talented, Lansing-based, freelance illustrator, Marissa Tawney Thaler on the Michigan Business Network. They discuss some of Marissa’s projects and her ability to advocate for social justice by designing beautiful art to convey powerful messages in children’s books.

Listen below to Vicki Hamilton-Allen and Marissa Tawney Thaler discuss illustrating and social justice.

About Marissa Tawney Thaler

Marissa Tawney Thaler of Lansing holds a BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design, where she studied Art Education and Illustration. After college, she worked as an elementary art teacher, using school breaks to cultivate her personal work. In the fall of 2018, Marissa left teaching to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator. Since then, she has established Briarwood Art Collective, shown her "Drawing Folded Paper" series around Michigan, and worked on several children's book projects. Marissa’s work, often narrative in nature, uses primarily drawing media to achieve a “bittersweet aesthetic.” She aims to find the lighthearted side of struggles and moments of connection in everyday happenings.