91��ɫ

Phoebe Nelson �25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (91��ɫ) to study children�s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children�s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.

�I wanted to take this opportunity to try out making something historical just so that I could showcase not only my storytelling abilities, but also my abilities with researching,� explains Nelson. �And it really is just a lot of research that goes into this, and a lot of planning that all of us have to do. A lot of visual research and sketching. For me personally, I did a lot of reading and writing, because I had a whole manuscript to write, which was really fun and exciting.�

�La Mère Brazier,� Nelson�s book, features intricate paper-cut scenes. For each spread, Nelson first makes a digital rendering. Then, she measures, cuts and glues hand-painted paper to construct the details, setting and characters. Several of these original spreads will be on view during 91��ɫ�s 2025 Senior Exhibition, in addition to hard copies of her book for visitors to read.

�I was building a website, I kind of got to know my own art a little better and learn things about myself and learn about what I liked more,� continues Nelson. �I realized things that I hadn’t realized or hadn’t known about myself. And one of those things being that I really enjoy making work that is about people. I enjoy animals and nature and that stuff, and I thought that was kind of my main focus. But after actually looking at all of my work, I was like, oh my goodness, no. It’s people and people’s relationships and interactions.�

From working on 91��ɫ�s �Lois Ehlert: A Creative Life� exhibition to connecting with local galleries, Nelson�s professional experiences have shaped her plans after graduation. �91��ɫ is just like a jumping off place for all of us. And all of these relationships are just waiting, and all you have to do is like, go out and access them,� she says. After graduation, Nelson plans to connect with publishers about her two children�s books.

Learn more about 91��ɫ�s Illustration major and plan your visit to 91��ɫ�s Senior Exhibition!