Star Wars Artist Series: Sarah Wilkinson

Detroit artist Sarah Wilkinson has a soft spot for General Grievous. As one of the new illustrators picked for the Revenge of the Sith Artist Sketch Cards by Topps, as well as one of the few artists who created limited-edition posters for Celebration III, she's found herself gazing into his treacherous eyes on more than one occasion.

However, her appreciation for various villains and heroes of Star Wars began way before she ever even picked up a paintbrush.

"I have a brother who is seven years older than I am, and he was always into the movies," Wilkinson says. "I remember finding my brother's collector's case of Star Wars figures and falling in love with them. Seeing the connection between the movies and the toys was what sparked my fascination. It was also a connection between my older brother and me, and since I thought he was the coolest, I had to see what this Star Wars business was all about."

As she became enamored by the likes of Darth Vader, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, Wilkinson also realized that her passion for creating art was just as strong.

"I've loved drawing ever since I was a kid, and had the 'run of the mill' art classes throughout grade school, but never really considered art as a profession until I started college," Wilkinson recalls. "There were a million different paths I wanted to take with my life, but had always been taught that I would starve if I pursued art. I attempted anyway, and got into the Media and Communication Arts department at Macomb College."

While at Macomb, Wilkinson met fellow Star Wars artist Matt Busch who not only taught her a few skills in painting, but also became something of a mentor.

"I took a painting class taught by Matt that taught me how to turn my love of art into something lucrative," Wilkinson says. "He introduced me to the world of illustration and inspired me with his own amazing talents. Art has always been inside me, but I never knew how to make it work. Ever since then, I constantly think about what my next piece will be, where I will get my inspiration, and how I can be my absolute best."

Ever since then she's been drawn to the canvas by the many muses of Star Wars, whether it be iconic images of Darth Vader to the beautiful but brave Jedi Aayla Secura

Wilkinson says she also finds rich sources of inspiration from eclectic list of artists, writers and musicians such as Dave McKean, Frank Miller, Marilyn Manson, Alphonse Mucha, Simon Bisley, Olivia, Yumiko Kayukawa, Maynard James Keenan, Glenn Barr, Ron Howard, J. Scott Campbell, Matt Busch, System of a Down, Ridley Scott, Frank Cho, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, among others.

"Ben Templesmith is my favorite comic artist," Wilkinson adds. "Drew Struzan is my favorite Star Wars artist, and my favorite Star Wars comic is the Dark Empire series."