A little about me…
Andy and I have been married a long time (he estimates 824 years). We both are powered by hyperfocus. He’s a math/science person. I am an everything-else person. Our colorful home serves as a workshop for our many creative interests and a place for our two bright and talented grownup sons to visit their favorite dog and pick up a free sandwich. Before this family-oriented chapter of my life, I worked as a press secretary, a music editor, a technical editor and in social services. I've always carried a little notebook to jot down ideas for stories and songs that I hoped I’d someday write and projects I hoped to someday do, and I’m delighted to finally be writing and doing. I work on one creative endeavor or another every day.
About the illustrators
Cathy Ingram is a native Oregonian and freelance graphic designer. We met as volunteer teachers in an art history program for elementary school kids. She currently is revisiting her favorite loves from her art school days - painting, drawing and printmaking. Creative and peace-loving, she was the perfect illustrator for SWEET SWEET WORLD.
Kathy Rush and I passed each other in the library all the time when she was a Reading Specialist at my kids’ school, but we didn’t know each other until a decade later, when I attended a local art reception and recognized her, the artist of honor. We shared lively conversation and the next thing we knew, BRILLIANT PEARL happened. An avid outdoorsperson, she kayaks, hikes and paints en plein air, planting her easel wherever nature inspires her and painting the landscape while she’s in it. Visit her website.
Relly Weltman’s greatest achievement? She’s my mom! A student of fashion design when she first came to the United States in her teens, Relly was the “family artist” while I was growing up. She painted a mural over my sister’s crib, created abstract art for my dad’s office, and she designed and sewed four, yes, FOUR prom dresses for me, but it was not until the tender age of 81 that she first illustrated a children’s book, One IMPECCABLE Ponytail. Then I talked her into illustrating Newt’s Boots next. Hard to say whether she’ll fall for it a third time.
Claire Hardy spent lots of time playing with my kids while she was growing up, and she had THE biggest imagination in the neighborhood. Claire is now an illustrator, designer and animator, working for YouTube, Optimize Play and several other clients. She has many creative talents, evident in her illustrations in No-No, NO!, but one of her most amazing gifts is that she remains fun and positive no matter how crazy or stressful things get. I want to be just like her if I ever grow up!
…THANK YOU FOR VISITING!