The Evolution of Tapdoodle
Hi, my name is Carol and I am a digital artist—however, my career didn’t start that way. As a college student in my final year, I was unsure of what medium I would use or what direction my “style” would take. When I became acquainted with the children’s picture book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears, the illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon inspired me to put away my pencils and try something different.
The first flamingo illustration in my slideshow (very faded after 45 years) is a result of that shift. I created that original piece by transferring the shapes onto tracing paper and cutting them out to make a mask. Using a unit that forced air through a marker tip, I airbrushed the cut-out shapes. Not long after that, computers became available, and I never looked back.
Recently, I took my original art and created a digital version. The next slide shows the vector lines that I draw with my mouse to create the final result.
With a BFA in Illustration and five children of my own, my creative years have been both sporadic and fulfilling. After illustrating ten books for the WantsToBe series and spending 12 years (and counting) mastering the tech behind animated eBooks, I’ve learned how to create digital environments that truly draw the viewer in. In fact, the name Tapdoodle came from that very concept—tapping on a screen to launch animations and sound effects.
I am now adapting my catalog of hundreds of illustrations into hands-on tools for you. Tapdoodle is focused on:
• Adaptive Puzzles: High-contrast designs that grow with the user, featuring flexible difficulty levels. These are specifically tailored to be respectful, dignified, and engaging for both senior memory care and children.
• Imagination-Based Activities: Engaging, printable worksheets—like the Mixed-Up Animal Alphabet—that encourage storytelling and creative discovery.
• Vibrant, Functional Art: Pieces designed with high-visibility, exceptional visual clarity, and clear outlines to serve as accessible tools for exploration.
I hope my art brings a sense of color, focus, and connection to your world.
P.S. I also run a sister shop on Etsy called Simpatterns—feel free to stop by and say hello there as well!
WHAT ACTIVITY DIRECTORS ARE SAYING:
• "I just printed this out and want to say thank you! This is beautiful work!" — A.D.
• "My residents love the puzzles!!! So simple for Alzheimer's residents." — A.V.
• "One participant needs a lot of guidance, but she likes to look at the colors. They are sturdy to handle... and the puzzle is holding up." — A.V.
• "These look awesome, simple and not too complicated, would love to try with my memory care residents." — E.D.