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Mommy Monster by Wendy

I first met Wendy Wester many years ago when studying art in college. At the time, Wendy was a fellow art student, though she now has gone onto become an award winning animation storyboard artist and children’s book illustrator. Her credits in animation run from Pepper Ann to Phineas and Ferb, to Elena of Avalor and Lion Guard - the many shows she has been involved in bringing to screen are more than I could recount. Wendy’s inspirations include Jim Henson, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Mercer Mayer, and many others. Her initial dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator transformed into a career as a storyboard artist, eventually running full circle as she is now working on her 7th children’s book in the Monster and Me series.

Wendy - Self Portrait from our college days

As a fellow student in college, I thought Wendy was an amazingly talented artist and held her in highest regard. Some more samples of her student work:

And a picture of Wendy from our college days:

Animation 1 project preproduction development art 

Character sketch

Cora the Cow

I found cartooning very hard to do and very much admired her designs as well as her remarkable draftsmanship. I would ask for her critique on my work and insight into how she made her decisions when designing and cartooning. Here is an example of the help she provided me as I struggled to design some ants for a student project. My ants first:

Now Wendy’s take (that is my ugly drawing of the kid in the corner):

Drawing and appealing design have always been instinctive for Wendy and I wish I could say the same.

We graduated college together and would later find ourselves working together at Disney TV Animation.

Early illustration sample:

And a few storyboard samples from her Annie Award winning Dave the Barbarian storyboard:

And some Phineas and Ferb storyboards:

More sketches and designs demonstrating Wendy’s versatility, design skills, and capacity for capturing action and emotion.

A fantastic drafts-person, Wendy's drawings have always been remarkable.

Life drawing from her first semester in college:

And a more recent illustration, this from the first Monster book: Monster Needs a Costume.

And from Monster Needs His Sleep:

More remarkable drawings by Wendy:

Wendy is also a very capable sculptor, interpreting her designs and illustrations in three dimensions:

I have hardly touched on the diverse and appealing art, designs, and illustrations Wendy has created over the years and could keep adding more, but suggest you check out her Tumblr and Instagram accounts to see many more examples of her beautiful work! I am very lucky to be married to this amazingly talented artist. Throughout the years Wendy has been a support, critic, and inspiration with the art she creates. I would not be the person or artist today if she were not a part of my life - my very process includes her participation and insight. And Happy Birthday Wendy! (Her birthday is this week!)

Wendy Grieb

Links:

Wendy’s Tumblr

Wendy’s Instagram

Wendy’s web page

IMDB

Interview with Wendy

Monster and Me

Mighty Media

Wendy’s books!