Creating the cover art for Wesley and the River Run was a deeply rewarding experience for me as an artist. My goal was to capture the heart of Marc DeAngelo’s inspiring story—a tale of perseverance, self-acceptance, and friendship—in a single image. From the rippling waters to the subtle hints of Wesley’s journey, every detail of the cover was crafted to draw readers into the world Marc so beautifully created.

This cover marks the first time my artwork has been featured on a book, and it’s a milestone I’ll always treasure. But it’s far from the beginning—or the end—of my creative partnership with Marc. When Marc DeAngelo first approached me, he envisioned an eight-page children’s book—a whimsical story brought to life through vibrant illustrations. As an artist, the prospect of illustrating my first children’s book was thrilling. But from the moment Marc began describing his vision, I felt a gut instinct that the story he was trying to tell was much more complex than what a children’s book could capture.

Marc’s initial concept was inspired by classic illustrated children’s books like Curious George, but as we delved deeper into his ideas, it became evident that the themes and backstory were far more intricate and mature than what would typically engage a young child. While I poured my heart into creating sketches and fully illustrated layouts—some spanning 30-40 pages—I kept an open mind about what the project could become. The more we discussed, the clearer it became that this was not just a children’s book; it was a story that needed to be fully developed as a young adult novel.

Wesley and the River Run is an allegorical tale about a boy who enters a river rafting race only to find himself without a canoe or paddle—just a life jacket—while the other kids are fully equipped. This narrative reflects Marc’s own journey through public education, where he struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia for years. It wasn’t until high school that he met a teacher who helped him understand his learning challenges and begin to develop strategies to succeed. Marc often said he felt like he was “up a creek without a paddle” throughout his educational journey, a sentiment that deeply influenced the story he wanted to tell.

The story is also a relatable coming-of-age tale, resonating with many who have faced similar struggles. Given my long relationship with Marc—going back to our early days as young artists performing together—I had a unique perspective on his journey. I was aware of his challenges with dyslexia from early on, which allowed me to deeply connect with what he was trying to express. My role quickly expanded beyond just illustrating; I became a consultant and collaborator, helping Marc shape his manuscript into something that truly reflected his vision.

In addition to my background as an artist, I offered Marc the perspective of an educator and creator of innovative learning experiences. This experience was instrumental in guiding the narrative and ensuring that the themes resonated with the young adult audience we were aiming to reach. Despite my initial excitement about illustrating my first children’s book, it became clear that the subject matter didn’t fit into the children’s section of a library. Marc wanted to explore themes like self-harm and other mature topics that required a different format. I encouraged him to focus on the manuscript, and over time, it grew into something much more substantial—eventually exceeding 100 pages. When Marc was finally satisfied with the manuscript, he was able to move forward confidently into the drafting process, knowing that he had created something he was proud of. While it was disappointing not to include illustrations in the final work, it didn’t matter to me. What mattered was bringing Marc’s dream to life.

Since the publication of Wesley and the River Run, I have created a website that seves as a hub for the book’s sales, real world events, promotions and social media advertisement. Marc has held numerous book signings and events, using these opportunities to discuss his thoughts on the public school system and teacher training. These events have also brought out many of the real-life people who inspired the characters in the book, allowing them to engage with Marc’s readers. I’ve written all of the press releases and social media promotions for the website supporting these events, helping to bring Marc’s story to a wider audience.

Our collaboration didn’t end with the book’s release. I’ve continued to work with Marc on developing the project into an audiobook. I introduced him to the narrator, Mike Leverone, a close colleague and fellow musician from Washington, DC. Marc was deeply moved when he heard the first drafts of the narration, as Mike’s performance captured the emotions Marc had poured into the story.

With the audiobook release, I was tasked with creating a new cover. The original self-published cover art Marc created on Amazon didn’t quite meet the standards for the audiobook release, so Marc asked me to create a new cover for a second edition of the book and digital collateral for the audiobook on Audible. I was thrilled to add my artwork to the cover of Marc’s amazing story. The cover features the iconic paddle smashed against the rocks—a climactic moment in the book that symbolizes the heartbreak and struggle that Wesley endures. The new design is modern, with a hand-created typographical treatment that I’m excited to see in print.

Beyond Wesley and the River Run, I’m also consulting with Marc on his second book, a tribute to his hometown in New York. Our journey together has been long and fulfilling, and I’m grateful to have been part of bringing his stories to life. The evolution of Wesley and the River Run from a simple children’s book to a fully developed young adult novel is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of trusting your instincts.