Recently, Maddy and Jon came to Eagle Ridge Academy for an author/illustrator visit and shared their book with a fourth grade class. When explaining how she became an artist to the fourth graders, Maddy compared it to falling asleep. "When you go to sleep, it's almost like you have to pretend you're sleeping before you can fall asleep. So, with drawing, you kind of have to pretend that you're a really good drawer until you become a really good drawer. There's a lot of failure that needs to happen before you can make really good drawings."

"It was important for me to come back and show kids the book because I want them to know that it really is within their reach to make something they can share and be proud of. And that art making is also something they can take with them and continue their whole lives, whether it is professionally or simply something they can enjoy for themselves," Jon noted about the experience.

Maddy found inspiration when reading the book to the kids . "[It] was inspiring to me because by encouraging the kids to make art (in all its forms), I was reminded of the simplicity of participating in creativity. All it takes is showing up and anyone can do that. Even me when I'm feeling less confident in my art making."

Since leaving ERA, Jon has balanced being a full time professional public sculptor with raising three kids and teaching them art. Jon's work can be seen on his website and Instagram.

Maddy is working as an artist in Bloomington and stays at home with her one year old daughter. She will be a Juried Featured Class Artist in the Red Wing Plein Air Festival this summer, where selected artists have to make three plein air paintings within a limited time frame. The works will be up on exhibit after June 24. See Maddy's artwork on her website and Instagram.