Hi Cynthia! I really appreciate you contacting me directly! Such a professional and mature way to handle the issue. Thank you!
First of all, your illustration is really cute. Second, I think what the person who commented may be responding to is that I have two pretty well known illustrations: one of an owl with a constellation background, the other with a ginger cat playing a guitar — but I also know the Owl & the Pussycat poem well and know that’s where you derived your imagery, not from my work!
The only thing that I felt could cause some actual confusion was the dotted lines around the eyes of the owl which I feel is something signature I do — other than that, in my opinion your illustration is totally your own and I’m not concerned about any similarities to my work!
You are so sweet to contact me, and that in itself makes me feel you have a lot of integrity as an illustrator and designer. Thank you again for your concern – and best of luck to you and your great work!!
yours ever,
susie

Josie, funny you shold mention boygirlparty because I did love Susie’s work when I chanced upon her site years ago. I haven’t checked up on her in a while though. Your comment bothered me because now, I’m wondering if my illustration style really does resemble hers. If you check some of my other illustrations you will find that I love drawing cats and birds too but I don’t think our styles are that similar. Now, I want to ask for your opinion if you think I should email Susie and ask if my drawing of the owl and pussycat bothers her. I made it from scratch myself but I don’t want to run the risk of having an illustration or design too close to someone else’s.