Meet Brian Maikisch, Illustrator

Brian Maikisch is the talented illustrator bringing Zelda the Curious to life.
Brian is Dad to two active young boys, and when he was first approached about STEM Girls Books, he asked the inevitable question: “Are you sure a man is the best fit for this?” Brian soon learned why that answer was a resounding yes.
“I supervise the print department within a corporation, mostly dominated by men. Until I started working on Zelda, I hadn’t even realized the gender gap in STEM fields but this project has been a real awakening for me.
Zelda’s characteristics are the foundation of a great engineer, whether male or female. I have learned from the women engineers that I work with that their childhoods began a lot like Zelda’s, questioning how things work. It’s not any different from the curious mind I had while I was growing up, or that my sons possess as they constantly seek answers to those same types of questions.
I feel such a connection with Zelda as I’m bringing her to life, drawing upon the inquisitive nature of my boys as well as my nieces. Zelda has become the daughter I never had. I am excited to be a part of the STEM Girls Books team and a part of the movement that is opening up the minds of young girls into new and exciting STEM fields.”
Brian is an aspiring illustrator and graphic designer with dreams of being a comic book artist and cartoonist. After one look at Zelda the Curious, we think you’ll see why those dreams are coming true!
Brian lives with his wife and sons in New Jersey and graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Art. You’ll love browsing his diverse portfolio on DeviantArt or Facebook. It is an honor to have Brian aboard the STEM Girls Books team!
Brian is Dad to two active young boys, and when he was first approached about STEM Girls Books, he asked the inevitable question: “Are you sure a man is the best fit for this?” Brian soon learned why that answer was a resounding yes.
“I supervise the print department within a corporation, mostly dominated by men. Until I started working on Zelda, I hadn’t even realized the gender gap in STEM fields but this project has been a real awakening for me.
Zelda’s characteristics are the foundation of a great engineer, whether male or female. I have learned from the women engineers that I work with that their childhoods began a lot like Zelda’s, questioning how things work. It’s not any different from the curious mind I had while I was growing up, or that my sons possess as they constantly seek answers to those same types of questions.
I feel such a connection with Zelda as I’m bringing her to life, drawing upon the inquisitive nature of my boys as well as my nieces. Zelda has become the daughter I never had. I am excited to be a part of the STEM Girls Books team and a part of the movement that is opening up the minds of young girls into new and exciting STEM fields.”
Brian is an aspiring illustrator and graphic designer with dreams of being a comic book artist and cartoonist. After one look at Zelda the Curious, we think you’ll see why those dreams are coming true!
Brian lives with his wife and sons in New Jersey and graduated from the Joe Kubert School of Art. You’ll love browsing his diverse portfolio on DeviantArt or Facebook. It is an honor to have Brian aboard the STEM Girls Books team!