It may be rare to find someone who is both a master of the written word and an accomplished artist, but one author in town today says wearing both hats is a great way to work.

North Dakotan-born author Jonathan Twingley recently published his first novel, "The Badlands Saloon", which includes both his original story and illustrations. Today he's speaking to the community about his creative process, something he says is shaped by always having a sketchbook handy.

Although he works primarily as an illustrator, Twingley says he was inspired to write the book by parts of his own life as a tribute to his home state.

(Jonathan Twingley / Author-Illustrator) "I'd always wanted to write a book set in North Dakota, a love letter to the place where I'm from. My father was a high school art teacher at Bismarck High School for 30 years and my mom is a librarian at Bismarck State College, so words and pictures have always figured prominently in what I do."

Twingley will also give a presentation tonight at 7 at the Taube Museum of Art.

All of today's events were supported by the North Dakota Council on the Arts. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list