Mike Wohnoutka: Animals with Attitude
Mike Wohnoutka invites you behind the scenes of his 30-year journey as an artist, author, and illustrator—sharing the real story, including the wins, the challenges, and everything in between. With honesty, humor, and insight, Mike offers a candid look at what it takes to build a creative life over the long haul.
He’ll guide you through the full evolution of a picture book, from the spark of an idea and early character development to shaping the manuscript and bringing it all together in finished artwork. Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how story, structure, and visual storytelling work hand in hand.
The session comes to life with a live drawing demonstration, where Mike reveals how he transforms simple lines into characters full of personality, emotion—and attitude. Watch as expression, gesture, and subtle details turn drawings into living, breathing storytellers.
You’ll walk away inspired, energized, and with a fresh perspective on how to infuse your own work with character, narrative, and life.
About Mike
Mike Wohnoutka has illustrated more than thirty books for young readers, including How to Apologize, Moo!, and the Geisel Award-winning See the Cat and its sequels, all written by David LaRochelle. He is also the author and illustrator of Bear's Magic Show, Dad's First Day, and other picture books.
Between book projects, Mike enjoys painting “just for the fun of it.” While he often revisits his favorite subjects — frogs, cats, birds, and things from his garden — Mike tries something new with each piece. Whether it’s the mood of a bird, the scale of a cat, or the color palette of a cherry tomato, Mike explores a different approach with each drawing or painting.
Mike lives with his family in Minneapolis.