Meet Mackenzie Bakewell | Multimedia Artist & Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mackenzie Bakewell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mackenzie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Choosing to have an artistic and creative career path has always been something that I knew I would do. Since I was young, I have been making art in many forms – from journaling to technical illustration to photography and writing.

The challenge for me was narrowing down my creative talents and interests to a specific field. This led me to pursue journalism as a creative outlet and eventually a bachelor of arts degree in new media communications. I discovered that in the industry of publishing – both print and digitally – it combined all my favorite art mediums: drawing and sketching, writing and editing, photography and graphic design.

Today, I self-publish my own coloring book product line and use my creative expertise to help others self-publish their books too.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Right now, I’m most excited about my coloring book product line, called Journey of Colors. I started turning my original artwork and photography into coloring pages back in 2017. At this time I was simply making them for myself and sharing with a few friends. I enjoyed the creative process of starting with my photography, exploring nature and new places. Then, I’d sit and sketch, turning the experience and the photographs into a unique composition. Next, I’d ink the sketch to turn it into a finished black and white illustration that would be enjoyable to color.

The challenge for me initially was figuring out how to make the step from print-at-home coloring pages to published paperback coloring book.

There are so many pieces that go into making a book, publishing it, promoting it, getting it into shops, building a brand around it, and the list goes on. Overtime, and through much trial and error, I’ve figured out a process that makes it more enjoyable and affordable to self-publish my books. A key for me is getting clear on the end result before I begin. In other words, before I start investing in a new book, I run the numbers, I talk to shop owners, and I get a clear picture of who this book is for, what value it will provide, and how much it will sell for and cost to create. If you do want to make your own book, remember to simply start and keep going. And enjoy the process as much as you can.

Journey of Colors is now being sold in some of my favorite art shops and bookstores around the Pacific Northwest and it has reached people around the world from my online shop. Best of all, my coloring books provide friends, family, and myself an enjoyable activity to help us relax, be creative, and have fun making art in our everyday lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you live in the Pacific Northwest like me, then I’d definitely recommend going to Sauvie Island for berry picking and exploring at Sauvie Island Beach along the Columbia River. There is also Cathedral Park in North Portland that has a stunning bridge and trails along the Willamette River. Forest Park provides miles of trails just west of the city, and there is easy access to the International Rose Gardens and the Oregon Zoo. Farther from the city are many lakes to explore up near Mt. Hood, such as Lake Trillium, Timothy Lake, and Little Crater Lake. All of these can be turned into extended camping trips or simply day adventures.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family. They have all provided unconditional love, support, and encouragement to me throughout my creative career. Each one of them has tested my products, lent their feedback, boosted me up and helped me share my art with the world. 

Website: https://journeyofcolors.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziebeemedia/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbbakewell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ziebeemedia

Facebook: https://facebook.com/ziebeemedia

Other: My company’s business website: https://www.ziebee.com/