My original career plan was to be a cowboy (not a cowgirl, mind you, ‘cause I didn’t want to have to wear a dopey skirt). I then briefly flirted with the idea of being a nurse until I realized I didn’t like the sight of blood so I decided at the age of 5 that I would become an artist when I grew up. The only adult artists I knew were art teachers so that became my goal. Growing up in a small town in northern Illinois was a wonderful time for me. I spent my childhood reading, playing with my sister and two brothers, climbing trees, exploring, riding bikes and drawing. I was very lucky to always have very supportive teachers and family that encouraged my interest in art.
In high school I became very involved in theatre: designing and building sets, costumes, makeup, props and posters. I took lots of art classes in school, and taught a summer Fine Arts program through the local parks. College was a wonderful time for me – I loved being an Art Education major! I got to take all sorts of neat classes: weaving, sculpture, metalwork and jewelry, woodworking, printmaking, ceramics, along with lots and lots of drawing and painting classes. Near the end of college I discovered classes in illustration – a career option that I had never considered before. After college I taught Art in the public schools, in private lessons, through park districts and junior colleges. I worked as a Staff Artist in a public library’s children’s department, which opened my eyes up to the amazing world of picture books. During this time I took more illustration and drawing classes and slowly developed two portfolios – one for the children’s market and one for fantasy gaming illustration. I began freelancing part-time in 1996 while continuing to teach in different venues, take classes, and be a stay-at-home Mom. I live in a 125 year-old house in a small town in Illinois with my husband, two daughters, one cat and a Scottie Dog. We own thousands of books and my studio is always a mess! I work primarily in watercolor though I also work in pastel, colored pencil, water-soluble oil paints, and pen and ink. Some of my newest pieces are done completely digital, which is very fun! My hobbies include reading, collecting antiques, working on our house, and volunteering in the schools (when I’m not teaching there.) My daughters and I participate in a Korean Martial Art called Kyukido. I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Graphic Artist’s Guild and the Association of Science Fiction and Fantasy Artists. Artists whose work I admire include Scott Gustafson, Rebecca Guay, N.C. Wyeth, Terese Nielsen, Howard Pyle, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish, Trina Schart Hyman, Virgil Finley, Cicely Mary Barker, Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Rackham, Edmund DuLac, Kay Nielsen, Tony Diterlizzi, Donato Giancola, and Tasha Tudor.