I am a full time children's book illustrator and author. My home and studio sit at the top of a hill, near the edge of a forest in semi rural New Hampshire. There is a magic wand on my desk and a dragon in my basement. Everything else is nearly normal.
I came into this field later in life, after spending a number of years as an elementary school teacher and then as a travel agent. I left my day job to concentrate on children's book illustrations and I have never been happier. The experiences I have had with children and their parents and my visits to many other countries and cultures has been an added blessing. Over the past 12 years I have been fortunate enough to have been chosen to illustrate a number of delightful children's books.
When I paint with either traditional media or in the computer my goal is to create enjoyment, excitement, a bit of action or drama, and tell a story within each picture. Trained as a traditional painter, I still continue to create with paint, pen, pencils, but find that the high end painting programs I can use in the computer are a beneficial blend of both.
My small studio seems larger because of the two big windows that look out on the gardens and the forest. In New England, the weather changes frequently so there is always something interesting going on outside as well as within the studio.
I have enough space to create large works that measure in feet and enough quiet to concentrate on smaller images and children's book illustrations. My desire to create illustrations that inspire, amuse and entertain keeps me interested in all aspects of children's books and products.
In addition to the children's books I have illustrated for the traditional market, I have also created illustrations for the e-book market. I participate in our local children's theater camp and paint many of the sets for their productions.
I do have a motto. My dad gave it to me. "Take a Chance!"
