As a young child I resisted the temptation to make marks in books by drawing on a handy little pad of paper. I tore off my “illustrations” and tuck each along side the appropriate writing passage. By age ten I decided to become a writer and illustrator. I have created books as long as I can remember. I studied calligraphy, bookbinding, letterpress and all other means of printing, typography, design, illustration, and desktop publishing.

I received a B.A. in Fine Arts and Masters in Teaching at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, then worked as an art educator for several years. I relocated to New York, earned a B.F.A. in illustration at Pratt Institute, then worked in publishing as a designer and art director. I taught at the Center for Book Arts and in the Communication Design department at Pratt while beginning my illustration career. I’ve illustrated many books for children and now am writing stories as well. After 9/11 I relocated to Northern California with my husband and daughter. I still enjoy illustration, design, and art direction projects, and continue as an educator, developing art curriculum for Scholastic and Instructor magazine as well giving presentations at schools and libraries, and leading programs for staff development.

RESUME