Something about me...

When I was a child, I was the "artistic one" in the family. However, the road I traveled to what I do now wound about a bit. Along the way I learned a number of interesting things, most of which have come in handy and some of which give me a pretty good score in select Jeopardy categories. Among them I learned:

peristence will get you far, (this from my mom)
how to bake fabulous cookies, and that, taken with tea, cookies can help
to love gardening and bonsai, (from my grandmother)
sea cucumber doesn't taste like chicken, but it does fry up crisp and salty
to always run through the finish line, (from track)
not to pick up a garter snake with your bare hands
how to make great gravy, and also daisy chains, (from my grandfather, although he also told me to learn the laws of thermodynamics which I must admit I never did)
how to think your way through a problem and fix stuff, (from my dad, who could have taught MacGyver a thing or two)
that you can only play just so hard with the cat or there will be blood
that a sense of humor is as essential to life as food, (thanks Bill!), and...
the need to practice kindness and compassion, (extended to me throughout many challenges)

As for the formal stuff, I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Washington, as well as a Certificate in Art for the Children’s Market, through the U. of W. Extension. My education also includes a variety of course work in art, computing, and software applications.

I'm an active member of the SCBWI, (Society of Childrens Writers and Illustrators), for which I served 4 years as a Co-Regional Advisor for the Western Washington region. Kid Lit people are some of the best ever, and I am happy to call them my people. These guys in the photos are also my people!