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Biography
I live with my husband in Western Mass. I have 2 really great kids.
My travels as a child through Asia (India and Nepal) and later with my husband in West Africa and then with all four of us to Mexico and Central America have all influenced my color and pattern sense as I observed the Folk arts, crafts and architecture of these countries.
I worked for many years in public schools mostly with kids in kindergarten, I have my elementary teaching degree in Multicultural Education from the University of Massachusetts. As a teacher I would integrate the arts into classroom themes and realized the importance of good illustration as a teaching tool. In reading to my class I was exposed to hundreds of children's picturebooks. I have always loved the way words and pictures go together visually and appreciate when it is done well. I have also studied illustration in a local college taking classes in computer arts, illustration, design and oil painting.
My work is bold, joyful,vibrant and colorful. Gouache, water color, pen and ink and Collage are my favorite mediums. . I have used collage for many book covers and educational illustrations. For years I have also been making personalized handmade books and 3D collages in the form of crowns for special occasions.
Much of my work could be used in journal covers, book covers, packaging, toys, character design, games, stationery,greeting cards, posters, fabric design, murals and wallpaper.
What I love about illustration is that it is like solving a puzzle for me and I love puzzles. Having a limited amount of space and having to make the subject matter understandable and beautiful presents the challenge that I crave. Doing the research for a piece gives me an excuse to learn something new and try out new styles. Deadlines and direction in general keep me motivated.
I have a studio in my home. I also do carpentry with my husband's business and matting and framing for another small local business. We have a huge vegetable garden around the house that we built and raised our kids in. We spend winters in Costa Rica fixing up our place there and soaking in the tropical colors and natural beauty.
Listing of illustrations for books, shows, magazines;
Many local shows in the Amherst/Northampton Massachusetts area.
Eight book covers for Interlink Publishing Company
John Sheldon's "Possum in the Kitchen" music show at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst Mass.
Reading rainbow illustrations for stories told by Eshu Bumpus
Cricket Magazine
Hartcourt Achieve
Zaner-Bloser Publishing
Sundance Publishing
McGraw Hill Wright Group
Personalized crown for Kurt Vonnegut's 80th Birthday
Stamp designs for the Massachusetts State Park system