Acerca de
Meet the Creators Behind WHAT IF...
About the Author
My name is DeLovell Earls. Most people call me "D". I am a former Division I basketball player turned coach. Former Air Force Officer turned Inventor/Entrepreneur. I’m a creative, compassionate individual who finds a deep sense of purpose in working with little humans. It’s my mission to make an impact on the world around me through design. I want to give back to my community as much as possible, and I hope that I’m an example and proof to others that they can do the same.
I come from humble beginnings. I grew up on the “Southside” of Colorado Springs, CO where I devoted much of my youth to sports. Even though my parents always stressed the importance of academics to create opportunities, I remember telling my teammate's mom, when I was around nine years old, that an athletic scholarship was my only way to get to college. My dad laughed because he knew it wasn’t true, but he and I both knew that the money had to come from somewhere and athletics and creativity were where I excelled.
The ball stopped bouncing. Life after sports has been filled with a myriad of psychological challenges. I felt sorry for myself. I was disappointed that I “didn’t make it.” I felt like I had let people down. I felt like I had lost a big part of my identity. Not knowing what to do next, I leaned on my ability to create and think differently to find my direction. I started observing more and trying to put myself in other people’s shoes. I went back to the foundational skill that had always come naturally to me. I got artsy. I started writing more lyrics (that will probably never see the light of day), drawing often, and writing down every idea that came to me. I was searching for something that moved me. I invented the World’s Most Functional Foam Roller with some of my fellow “Thinkers and Problem Solvers” from high school, and I haven’t stopped creating since.
The Moral of the Story. There’s a common misconception that creativity is reserved for those who are good at art. It kills me when I hear someone utter the phrase, “I’m not creative." I’ve heard my friends, players, classmates, and students say these words more times than I wish to admit and it hurts my heart because I truly believe creativity is an empowering force that is accessible to all. The book WHAT IF... is an elixir for creative confidence, inspiring readers of all ages to use their imaginations to craft change and be persistent in their creative journies because we're all capable of changing the world around us and making it better.
About the Illustrator
My name is Ellie Bird, and I am an art teacher and freelance illustrator.
I’ve been driven by my creative spirit since childhood when the room was constantly littered with crayons, colored pencils, and happy doodles. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of sharing my passion for art with my students. I encourage my classes to trust their imagination intelligence as they learn the creative process. One of my favorite quotes is this one from Albert Einstein…
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.”
I firmly believe the mind and soul strengthen when one exercises their imagination and creates art. The act of creating teaches practical skills and qualities such as patience, intentionality, conceptualizing, and hand-eye coordination. It also opens our perspective to traits of the divine such as creativity, appreciation of beauty, and self-expression.