Chickasaw citizen uses artistic talent to illustrate children's books

OKLAHOMA CITY - Madelyn Goodnight fondly identifies an idyllic childhood as the source of her creativity and desire to illustrate children's books.

"My mom says I've been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. I think she has kept every doodle and drawing I've ever done," Goodnight observed with a laugh. "I think I started drawing as an emotional and creative outlet. As I became a bit older, art was something I realized I wanted to pursue and I dedicated myself to improve and grow."

Her maternal grandfather, Harrel McManus, was a sign painter and dabbled in artistic endeavors. Her mother, Karen Goodnight, a Chickasaw Nation legislator, business executive and 2014 Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year, studied art in college before devoting herself to education.

"I love my family. I grew up in Konawa, then we moved to Goldsby, and I graduated high school in Norman," she said. "Art has always been a huge part of my life since a very early age. My parents encouraged it, and art figures prominently in my family, especially on mom's side."

Her twin sister, Katie, and brother, Kyle "are every bit as artistic as me but chose other professional career paths," Goodnight proclaimed.

Her parents' home in Norman even has a painting hanging on its wall by her father, Stan, an oil field executive, avid cyclist and business entrepreneur.

Goodnight currently is working on two books while celebrating completion of two others: "Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi" (author Art Coulson, publisher Charlesbridge 2021) and "The Pear Tree" (author Luli Gray, publisher Penny Candy Books 2019). Both are available at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

"'The Pear Tree' was the happiest coincidence because Penny Candy Books reached out to ask if I would illustrate it. Unbeknownst to my studio, the publisher was based in Oklahoma City," Goodnight noted with enthusiasm.

At the time, Goodnight was working in New York City having completed higher education at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

"I loved doing 'The Pear Tree' because it is just a beautiful story that resonated with me. I think Esperanza is such a great character, a metaphor for hope and humanity. I was so excited to do it."

It marked Goodnight's first illustrations for a book publishing company. Forays from New York to Oklahoma accorded her the opportunity to collaborate with executives and – more importantly – visit family.

The book's author, Luli Gray, died in 2017, and the OKC firm acquired publishing rights to "The Pear Tree," a folk tale that introduces young readers to themes such as life and death, sorrow, joy, and hope.

"Usually, you get to work with the author to find out what they envision concerning illustrations. That wasn't possible, but Penny Candy Books was faithful to the author. They gave me a lot of freedom along with insightful suggestions," Goodnight said.

The experience of completing "The Pear Tree" so enriched Goodnight that it reinforced her desire to make illustrating children's book her primary career focus.

"Look, Grandma! Ni, Elisi" is Goodnight's latest accomplishment. It received the highest possible praise from readers and patrons at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble websites. In addition to telling a story, it teaches math, features First American characters and has a glossary of Cherokee words.

Returning Home

From her Oklahoma City studio/home – she and Katie decided to move back home from New York City at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020 – Goodnight's schedule is dizzying.

She is a freelance illustrator. Goodnight's "day job" is with Dotdash, a large online media firm with endless opportunities for her to contribute art. Additionally, she is associated with Studio Goodwin-Sturges promoting her expertise as an illustrator.

Judy Goodwin-Sturges owns the studio. She was one of Goodnight's art instructors at RISD.

Goodnight's acceptance into RISD, from her perspective, was a mix of fortune and fate.

"I knew I wanted to study art after high school, but I really didn't have a particular school in mind. My parents suggested RISD. My application for acceptance was almost too late. I had no idea the quality of competition I was up against either. I just filled out the application and sent it off," Goodnight recalls.

A few weeks passed before a letter arrived from RISD. "My parents were out of town, and I didn't want to open it," she said. "My sister and I went to dinner. Katie was chiding me, saying: 'Open it! Open it!' I finally gathered myself, opened the letter, and I was accepted. We were screaming!" Goodnight recalls with joy.

RISD is a private school founded in 1877. The university has solidified itself as one of the best art institutions in the U.S. and continues to top the lists of best art and design programs both domestically and internationally.

A few of RISD's most notable and recognizable students have been Seth MacFarlane (actor, writer and creator of "Family Guy"), Brian Chesky (co-founder of Airbnb) and Chris Frantz (drummer for the band "Talking Heads").

Had RISD not approved Goodnight's application, she would not have met Goodwin-Sturges whom she credits with "cultivating my style, my art presence and being my advocate." A second RISD instructor associated with the studio is April Jones Prince who also taught Goodnight.

"I love them so much. It is truly a little family. We've known each other so long. They know my personality, what I find interesting, how I like to approach art, and they give me projects I'm confident tackling."

Onsi and the Cornstalk

At her website, MadelynGoodnight.com, one may enjoy art from an RISD project where she took "Jack and the Beanstalk" and turned it into "Onsi and the Cornstalk" in tribute to her Chickasaw heritage and First American identity.

"I did a lot of research of Chickasaw heritage, imagery and symbolism. I was so proud and happy about this one because it was an ode to my Chickasaw roots," she said.

The illustrations are rich in Chickasaw imagery, complete with thatch-roof dwellings, white buffalo, cornstalks, Chickasaw symbolism and traditional regalia. Additionally, art and written prose for "When Apples Sweeten" are available to enjoy.

Living in Providence, Rhode Island, far away from her close-knit family, was challenging for Goodnight.

However, one enduring memory was visiting an East Coast apple orchard where the sights, shifting colors and aroma of ripening apples permeated her senses.

"It reminded me of visiting peach orchards in Oklahoma," Goodnight explained. "It delivered different sensory triggers, but there was a feeling of home. It was a lovely excursion. It inspired me emotionally and artistically."

Beauty in the Details

Goodnight's art is detailed. In the past, she has drawn on paper, painted on canvas, used pen and ink, and filled copious art tablets.

Today, her profession requires computer artistry.

"Digital work is what I do for my 9 to 5 job, book deals and commissions. Digital art emerged out of convenience. I have grown to love it. I love traditional art but work primarily with an iPad.

"Digital art is a very steep slope. I think that is why artists have mixed feelings about it. Some artists have the golden touch. They can pick up a tablet and make it work. The vast majority of artists hit a learning curve and must put in hours and hours of time to perfect it," she said. "It has taken me 10 years to feel more confident that I know what I'm doing."

Detail is important to her. Her illustrations have a clarity of focus from the primary image to the most obscure details away from the central theme.

"My attention to detail in my own artwork stems from my love of the idea of being able to discover something new in a piece every time you look at it. I want others to find new elements," she said. "As I go further into my art, or even a book, I put in little narratives or details I hope other people pick up on."

She credits her mother's vast collection of children's books with inspiring her appreciation for detail.

"Of the many books my mom would read to me, my favorites were those that were filled with art you could go back to again and again, and see something new. Those are the illustrations I love the most. I can go back and be just as tickled looking at them at age 25 as I was at 7 seeing them for the first time."