[close] Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute of Art, Rhode Island School of Design ... I have walked by all these schools of fine art.
I have attended none of them.
I’ve always been creative but never thought I could earn my
living as an artist. I could write though, so after graduating from Boston University I went into
public relations and advertising. After getting fired six or seven times, I figured I should be working for myself. Plus, I hated
wearing panty hose.
In 1986 I started my company Dirty Dishes, selling my hand painted ceramics nationwide. In 1990, I began focusing on
licensing my designs, particularly my character, Scared Guy. Scared Guy did pretty well, especially in Japan.
I’ve been writing and illustrating picture books--really bad ones--for
decades. Then in 1996, I attended the Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrator’s national conference. Finally, the lightbulb went on, and I started my career in children’s books.
I get my inspiration from my life, my kids, and the world around me. The “Who” books came to me when my kids were having car
tantrums. We played the Who Hops? game and the book was born.
I write for all ages of children, however, so far, all I’ve gotten for my Young Adult novels are rave
rejections.


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