Project Overview
Editorial Illustration, Cover & Interior Feature
The Client
360 West Magazine
The Assignment
The Assignment
360 West Magazine asked me to create editorial illustrations layered over photography for their July 2025 Family Issue, featuring Fort Worth local and voice actor Sainty Nelson. Sainty is the voice of Pillow Cat on Gabby’s Dollhouse (plus Nova Swift in Trolls and other animated characters). My goal was to create illustrations that complimented her vibrant personality while highlighting her movement and playing with elements in the photos.
I was given a set of playful photos of Sainty shot in and around her Fort Worth home and next to complete creative freedom with color and imagery. From her beaming personality to vibrant colors in and around her home, the photos were full of life, so I leaned into illustrations that felt animated, whimsical, humorous and surreal to match.
My Illustrations
Magazine article by: Rachael Lindley
Photography by: Crystal Wise
The Cover Image
I loved this rockstar image of Sainty with rollers in her hair, as she belts into a hairbrush. I added the lightning bolt to accentuate her electric energy to start, then added other images relating to her background and career.
I added the cowboy hat and horseshoe to symbolize her Texas heritage, music notes to symbolize her musical talent, a cat as a nod to her role as Pillow Cat, and other elements to compliment the scene and match that Sainty Nelson energy!
This clearly wound up being the cover image of the issue.
Interior Images
The Takeaway
I loved working on these illustrations for Sainty's feature and with the 360 West editorial staff. I was allowed creative freedom to compliment the beautiful and fun photos taken of Sainty and her lovely home. This was my jam! Expanding upon already fun scenes with vibrant, quirky illustrations was a walk in the park and the issue was well received.