I recently had the incredible opportunity to illustrate a book cover for the immensely talented DJ McDowell for his debut novel, “CAPTOR: NAME THEM.” I can’t tell you how excited I was to work on this project! The collaboration was absolutely seamless, and we created something truly special that left everyone feeling thrilled. DJ even gave me a wonderful shout-out on his Instagram, which was such a lovely acknowledgment. The book was officially released just last week, and the accolades are pouring in—so well deserved!

But here's the issue: We came so close to missing out on this amazing opportunity! One of the biggest challenges for creatives like us is trust, and it’s something we all understand so it doesn’t need to be explained. However, there’s this new challenge of “first contact.” When I started ramping up my online presence to land contract work, I was initially flooded with inquiries. But soon enough, I realized that many were from scam artists with surprisingly sophisticated schemes, as well as A.I. bots that could easily pass for real people. And then there were the genuine folks who just weren't serious about their intentions. It felt pretty disheartening at times.

So when DJ reached out, I genuinely thought he might be just another A.I. bot! But I decided to take a chance because, you know, you never really know. And then, when he mentioned the magical words “Jason Todd,” I knew he was the real deal! (For anyone confused, that’s a Batman reference!).

What’s the takeaway from this story? Well, first, I love stories!..lol.. But more importantly, it’s crucial to stay aware while also being open to a healthy level of trust. The creative process becomes so much more awesome when we do! Keep pushing forward and embracing those genuine connections!

“The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.“ - Lester Bangs