A Brigham Young University illustration graduate’s work is being showcased in the March issues of all four magazine publications put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Katie Payne has always enjoyed drawing, but it was during her time at BYU that she was introduced to artists and techniques that expanded her horizons and got her excited about pursuing illustration professionally. For her, going from drawing for fun to drawing professionally has come after hard work and effort. That hard work and effort is now paying off as the March issues of the Friend, the New Era, the Liahona and the Ensign will all include pieces of her work. “It wasn’t easy, but I finally worked up the nerve to contact the Ensign’s art director so that I could present some of my work and hopefully get a commission,” said Payne. “Incredibly, that contact led to me going into magazine headquarters for an interview where I presented three pieces that I had specifically made to show them that I could do the job right. It turned out that they loved them!”
Payne graduated from BYU’s Department of Visual Arts in the summer of 2012 and has since continued to refine her skills by working on personal projects and entering various competitions. She will soon be submitting her depiction of Mary washing Jesus’ feet to the 10th International Art Competition at the Church History Museum. In the future, Payne hopes to design a book cover for one of BYU’s alumni, Brandon Sanderson’s novels. “I’m a long way from that,” said Payne. “But a girl can dream!” To see Payne’s March magazine illustrations, click here, here and here.