Today we’d like to introduce you to Donald “scribe” Ross -.
Hi Donald “scribe”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Donald Ross, and I’m an artist, muralist, and author. For more than 32 years, I’ve been creating large-scale murals across Kansas City and throughout the United States.
In 2004, I was fortunate to join Children’s Mercy Hospital, where over the next 18 years I created artwork for every location, their transport fleet, and many special projects. That period of my life was truly transformative — my dream of creating art for children and families had come true. Seeing the joy and emotional impact my work brought to people became a powerful source of inspiration and purpose. Managing special projects there provided me with an invaluable education in art, collaboration, and the importance of uplifting others through creativity.
By 2020, I felt it was time to take the next step and expand beyond Kansas City. With two boys heading to college, I dreamed of building my own business as an independent artist. Like many, my plans were delayed by the pandemic, but during that time I worked at The Rabbit Hole, where I contributed to sculpture fabrication, mural painting, and visitor experience design. That chapter allowed me to pause, reflect, and refine my focus on what I truly loved — books, healthcare art, and murals.
From that reflection came Scribbleverse Studios, and soon after, I was blessed with my first major client in Tulsa, Oklahoma — The Children’s Hospital at St. Francis. That project reignited my passion and allowed me to apply all I had learned about art direction and remote project management.
Since then, I’ve self-published a few books and continued to grow my practice. Recent projects include a large pediatric clinic in Fargo, North Dakota, a commission at Alabama Children’s Hospital, and a new multi-floor series for Advent Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida.
It’s been a journey of steady growth built on years of experience, relationships, and purpose — and I’m grateful to see the right doors continuing to open at the right time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s hard to say whether the transition has been entirely smooth or not, but I can say this — I truly love working for myself, even more than I imagined. When I was at Children’s Mercy and The Rabbit Hole, I often managed projects while also creating the artwork. I was fortunate to collaborate with incredible teams at both places.
Now, working on out-of-state projects brings new challenges, especially when it comes to finding reliable vendors and communicating effectively from a distance. I’ve had to depend on people I’ve never met and often don’t have direct access to when issues arise in the field. It requires a different level of communication, problem-solving, and trust.
But as the distance of my projects has grown, so has my confidence — in myself and in others. And because of that, great things continue to happen!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of it all, I’m an artist. My work spans from gallery pieces to large-scale murals, using both traditional and digital techniques. Over the years, I’ve authored and illustrated several books, helped bring together hundreds of artists to raise funds for art therapy, and even ventured into toy design and branding.
What means the most to me, though, is the impact my work has had on others. Hearing from children, families, and visitors in healthcare spaces—sometimes through tears on both sides—has been deeply moving. Those moments remind me that art truly has the power to heal and connect.
What sets me apart is simple: I do this out of genuine love—for the work and for the people it reaches. My goal with every client is to create something authentic and meaningful, rooted in years of hands-on experience working with kids and families. This isn’t about following a trend or checking a box with generic imagery; it’s about creating art that uplifts, inspires, and leaves a lasting impression.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I started this business at a bit of an awkward time. One of my sons was heading off to college—he’s now a senior—and my other son is just starting his first year. Making a living through your own artwork is never easy, and stepping away from the security of a steady paycheck felt like a real risk, especially with my family’s well-being being so important to me. Adjusting to a different rhythm of income took some getting used to.
But growth has always come from taking risks, and for a moment I had forgotten how much I actually thrive in that space. Thankfully, my wife is always there to remind me that I can do it—and that faith has made all the difference.
Pricing:
- Every project is different. Happy to make a quote for my clients!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scribbleversestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scribbleversestudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091000976525
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Scribbleversestudios
- Other: my 2nd instagram account is @scribeswalk for the art outside of healthcare.
