I was stunned to find out today that Tory DeOrian, the amazingly talented illustrator of this blog, passed away this week. I don’t know anything except that this bright 25-year-old shining star is no longer with us which makes me so very sad. I only met her once and yet I’m moved to tears at her loss and sending my prayers to those who knew her best.
We met two years ago in The Viper Room at a 2-day Rob Bell conference for communicators. She was the beautiful, uber-tall blonde sitting in the front row, asking deep questions and engaging Rob. Through her answers to his questions, we all got to know her. She was working as a makeup artist (among other things; I seem to recall she had several jobs), but she was also a budding artist with big dreams. We talked outside of the conference and, looking at her art, I urged her to check out the Society of Children Bookwriters and Illustrators (SCBWI). Her quirky little manticorn–you know, a manatee with a horn–seemed destined to find his way onto the pages of a children’s picture book. She jumped in to SCBWI with both feet and quickly signed as an illustrator with a prestigious literary agency. I don’t know if the manticorn ever materialized into a full book, but I sincerely hope so.
Last summer, I hired Tory to create the illustrations for this blog. It was important to me that the blog not come off too judge-y and I thought her lighthearted illustrations would be perfect. I had a great experience going back and forth with her as the images evolved.
In Tory’s short life, she touched so many lives and left behind a beautiful and inspiring legacy in her art. We talked of one day writing a book about ELMA, my little elephant mama, but I always thought we’d have time for that. Tory never had a chance to become a mama, but she embodied the qualites: Love, Wisdom, Humor, and Intention.
Thanks for the inspiration Tory. I’ll leave you with her words and her art.
Always have something to look forward to.
Leave no stone unturned.
Leave a Reply