Pumpkin Pie

Taylor Johnson has been drawing since childhood. His passion for cartooning took root in the summers he spent at his grandparents' cottage in Vermilion, Ohio, on Lake Erie. There, amidst the sounds of lapping waves and the occasional errant golf ball, he first started doodling single-panel cartoons. Fast forward a few decades (and a few thousand doodles), and Pumpkin Pie was born. The first-ever Pumpkin Pie cartoon—an insightful meditation on the deep philosophical implications of orange juice from concentrate—was sketched in October 2019 as part of a month-long prompted drawing challenge. The name Pumpkin Pie wasn't just a nod to the October challenge, but also to Taylor's Halloween birthday, which means he has spent his entire life being gifted candy and remains deeply, spiritually connected to that black-and-orange season. Taylor holds a fine arts degree from James Madison University, and his career has included graphic design, web development, and now Agile coaching, where he applies humor and a people-first approach to helping teams function at their best (whether they asked for a cartoon with their Agile guidance or not). Taylor's artistic influences include B.C., Calvin & Hobbes, and Doonesbury (his bamboo-drawing style is a direct tribute). When he's not drawing Pumpkin Pie in pen and ink, occasionally adding color with markers, Taylor dabbles in acrylics. Watercolors are also acceptable. Oils? Too messy. He has been told that his drawing style suggests he should have been a sculptor, but alas, clay is even messier than oil paint. He lives with his amazing wife Libby and their emotionally needy, Halloween-ready black cat, Porter. He has a large, entertaining family, including two children, David and Molly. Onyx, his nibling, gave him the final push he needed to publish this book, proving that sometimes, family peer pressure is a beautiful thing.