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Darling Illustrations

Tacoma, WABrand · Paper goods

Hello Kindred Spirit, My name is Erin Darling and I’m an illustrator in watercolor and ink from Tacoma, WA. I’m a queer Christian, and themes of found family, representation and hopefulness are important to me in my work. I started painting with watercolors when I was a new mom. I instantly wanted to start making illustrations like those I found in my favorite children’s storybooks. Then I unexpectedly became a single mom. With a 1 year old, a 5 year old, and a hobby in watercolor, I decided to see if I could sell paintings to make ends meet. I did! And then I did it again and again and again. I have stories to share! Now, after illustrating my first children’s book–Coco and Olive: The Color of Love by Michelle Madrid-Branch–and starting my own children’s story–Calico Jill and the Search For Cheese–after dozens of craft fairs and after thousands of dollars raised for charity, what was once a way to survive has turned into a calling. I paint because I believe I have stories to share that no one else can tell in quite the same way. Stories about the tender connections between people, about the ways communities come together to create havens for each other in an often difficult world.