At the same time, art has always changed with new tools. Yesterday’s pen and ink became watercolor, then digital brushes, then the tablets and programs young artists use today. Digital art has opened incredible opportunities for expression, allowing kids to try techniques, explore colors, and create worlds more quickly than ever before. I fully support children exploring both physical and digital art. It can be playful, exciting, and an empowering way to discover their creative voices.

And now, artificial intelligence is entering the conversation. Like any tool, it can be used to expand possibility, but I believe it should never take away from the joy of learning. When kids skip the steps of drawing, experimenting, and making mistakes, they miss out on the growth and discovery that comes from creating. AI should never replace education. Instead, it can be one more resource, like a sketchbook, a brush, or a digital tablet, that helps young artists imagine new ideas while still developing their own skills.

My hope is that children learn to see art in every form, as a process, not just a product. Whether they pick up a pencil, a tablet stylus, or explore new digital tools, the value lies in the journey of making. That journey builds curiosity, resilience, and confidence. Most importantly, it ensures that the stories we tell are as unique as the children who dream them.

Here is a process of sketches and drawings for the first page in my new children’s picture book.