Photo Editing

Digital

Illustration

Traditional

Media

   Here’s the short and sweet version of how i cam e to write and illustrate for children and why I created this website.

    I was born in California and raised in the small town of Sonora. I’ve been an artist since I could hold a pencil and keep a paint brush out of my mouth. Despite the fact that school was a nightmare for me (I have both dyslexia and Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome) in fourth grade I discovered that I loved writing. But I couldn’t spell to save my life. Thankfully, I had a wonderful teacher who encouraged my talent despite what she called, “creative but phonetic spelling.” I racked up 27 units in live theater both on stage and behind the scenes at Columbia College. It’s amazing what you can learn about your character when you step inside their skin and ask; what’s my motivation?

    Around age 19 I became interested in writing and illustrating for children. I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator. The organization taught me a lot about the business aspects of writing. At SCBWI events I had a chance to learn from successful writers and illustrators in the children’s book industry. At my first national SCBWI Conference in LA, Paula Danziger took me under her wing and out to lunch. I will never forget how wonderful and encouraging she was. (I will miss her terribly.) Peggy Rathmann also shared her time and wisdom. Thanks to Don and Audry Woods’ presentation on digital illustration, I pursued this innovative art form. I have also had heart touching moments at conferences which I will never forget. For example, the day I got to hug Judy Blume and tell her how much her books had meant to me as a preteen. Just as important, I had the opportunity to connect with many talented, but yet unpublished writers and illustrators and participate in group critique sessions. I miss those days, the conferences were inspiring and educational.

    By 2004 I was just beginning to see small publishing successes when I was side tracked by my divorce. I left my husband and the children and I moved to Costa Rica. It was here that I met a wonderful Costa Rican firefighter who would later become my husband. During the reinvention of my life, I took a long hiatus from my goal of being a published author. That was nearly six years ago and I am finally back in pursuit of my dream.

    The next big conquest is to land a great agent. Besides the obvious benefits of having an agent, you have no idea how hard it is to mail submissions from Costa Rica. I can come up with story ideas until the cows come home, but I can’t seem to wrap my head around the business end of getting published. With a little luck and a lot of hard work I hope to make 2010 the year I sign my first publishing contract.