What's In a Name?

Lynn Sandacz has stories to tell

Wolf Criers Club
Vol 6

The Wolf Criers Club is an international band of illustrator/writers at the start of practicing the skills to make compelling stories with words, pictures, and shapes. We came together a year ago and have been helping each other grow our work ever since. Now we are welcoming others to follow along on our journey. Thanks for joining the pack.

We are using these first issues of our weekly newsletter to introduce the Wolf Crier members. This week it’s the work and perspective of Wolf Crier Lynn Sandacz. She was one of the people who said ‘Yes’ to the invitation to join our Zoom meet-ups to share work and prompt each other to keep going.

Lynn is a dedicated student of art and writing, studying books, courses, and showing up to help with critiques. She’s one of those people who is inquisitive by nature and up for investigating systems and problem-solving on multiple levels. I imagine she could MacGyver her way out of most anything.

Here’s a bit about Lynn Sandacz

When she is not working in technology project management, Lynn is writing and illustrating stories. When not working or creating she can be seen running around or swimming in the lake with her wife and toy poodle.

The stories in her head are begging to be brought to life in the form of children’s picture books. She writes and illustrates quirky, whimsical and fantasy stories.

She is inspired by nature and the interplay between light and shadow. Music and artwork also generate a spark inspiring her to create. She works in traditional and digital media merging realistic illustrations with a painterly style to create a contrast.

5 questions for Lynn

• Where are you from originally and where are you located now?

I grew up in the mountains surrounded by lakes in Sparta, a town in northern New Jersey. I spent my childhood running through the woods and splashing in the water. Not able to leave nature, I live in Lake Hopatcong. And yes, I am running and splashing!

•  How did you get your name?

My dad picked my name. It wasn’t a common name at the time, so when my name was yelled, I knew I was the one in trouble. My last name has a tricky spelling. I have spent my entire life spelling SANDA and then saying, “C” as in Charlie, and “Z” as in zebra. After years of hearing me constantly repeating “C” as in Charlie, and “Z” as in zebra, my wife nicknamed me “CZ.”

• Who was an important influence, teacher, or mentor?

An English professor, Dr. Janet Eber, had a huge influence on me. She inspired me to approach all endeavors with a revisionist approach. This idea of revise, revise, and then revise more has spilled over into everything I do. I think this is why I enjoy writing and revising children’s picture book stories. I love to see the story change from each revision and how you can push and bend the text.

My mom encouraged me to spend time with her best friend Marsye. My mom referred to her as my “mom away from mom.” A hairdresser by trade she rose to leadership in her industry. She was a force of nature and a true leader. She taught by example that with passion, tenacity, and hard work that you can accomplish your dreams.
Dream big!

• When did you start taking your art seriously?

I spent most of my childhood imagining, daydreaming, and creating. In school I thrived in art, music, and cooking classes so you would think I would end up in arts. I did not! I went to Seton Hall University and received a BA in History and planned on going to law school. I worked hard but realized law school was the last place I wanted to be.

 The arts tugged again when I worked in the beauty industry with my mentor Maryse. Was it my time to venture into the arts? No, I was still convinced art was my hobby. I have spent the last 22 plus years as a software programmer, technology project manager, director, and in leadership.

It was in 2020, that I saw the light and decided to pursue my art journey seriously. I received a certificate in Children’s Picture Book Illustration from USCD in 2022. In 2023 spilling into 2024 I attended Children’s Book Pro and Self-Publishing Pro online at the School of Visual Storytelling.

In Case You Want to Up Your Illustration Game

The Wolf Criers met last year through an online course in making picture books.
The folks at SVS Learn are getting ready to open enrollment for another round of Children’s Book Pro. It is one of the best places to learn the skills that matter for illustrators and writers who want to level-up in the world of picture books. If you’d like to know more from program alumni you can ask questions in the comments. The professionals behind this online course are the real-deal.

If you enjoy this post, please share it with a few arts friends and subscribe or follow Wolf Criers Club on Substack for weekly updates. 

The wolf-wearing-glasses logo is by Wolf Crier Michael Luk.

The editor this week is Kato McNickle.