Tina Essmaker is an illustrator, maker of pretty things, writer, and black coffee drinker. She publishes her drawings and art here and shares personal stories, family pictures, and essays about mother loss here.

She enjoys collaborating with her partner-in-crime, Ryan Essmaker, founder of Designing Monsters (a small design shop in the beautiful Great Lakes State of Michigan). Their latest project is The Great Discontent, a web magazine about creativity and risk.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys treasure hunting, napping, cuddling with her mischievous cat named Jackson, and sampling dark chocolate. She's trying to live less afraid and more courageous by loving the people she cares about while she can and doing things that satisfy her creatively.

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