Or ... how I got to this point of my life ... always growing, always changing, and always grateful ...

I have been drawing animals since I was 5 years old, and photographing them with my first Brownie camera at 9, taking snapshots of dogs and horses, and ducks on the local pond. My best buddy as a child was Dutchess, the pit bull terrier, (alleged Boxer), I grew up with, and who so influenced my love of bully breeds.

As a Fine Arts graduate of Pratt Institute, it made perfect sense that I majored in photography. I also studied the writing and illustrating of children's books postgraduate with Uri Shulevitz at the New School and discovered a new passion. A circuitous route followed in which I became degreed as an art therapist and then a psychoanalyst with my own practice. However, I soon resumed my artistic focus as the graphic designer and fundraising manager for the largest animal sheltering system in my state. Over the next 20 years there, I gained a wealth of wonderful experience while continuing to work on my art at home. In early 2006, I took a leap of faith to grow my own business in graphic design and animal art with a dream - at long last, I would return to children's books.

I have a big soft spot for the bully breeds, and operated my own American Pit Bull Terrier rescue for 13 years. My illustrations were published quarterly for over a decade in Just Frenchies magazine and for six years in Just Terriers magazine. These inspired my small art business and a shop on Etsy. My love of drawing and photographing all types of animals has clearly influenced my artwork and the direction of my children's story writing as well.

Artistically, I am growing digitally as well as with pencils, pens, and brushes, and am so happy to have returned to my dream, the writing and illustrating of children’s books. I have loved to read, write, and draw since I was a child, and I bring those passions to both my personal and professional worlds. And through many efforts – becoming a member of SCBWI, participating in critique groups, and submitting what seems like thousands of manuscripts - my dream finally came true. In August 2022, my first picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? was published by Ethicool Books!

As I continue to grow in all areas of my life. I am aglow with the wonders that lie within me and before me.

I am deeply grateful that I have/have had  devoted guides on my path in my emotional, spiritual, and creative life, and here I must thank Len, Bill, Alaya, Chuck, Georgia, Linda Marie, Anysia, and Dr. C. I couldn’t have gotten here without you.

Yá'át'ééh (All is good.)

Jeanne