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| Red Cygnet Press, Inc., 2245 Enterprise St. Suite 110, Escondido, CA 92029 ©2009 Red Cygnet Press • All Rights Reserved • San Diego • California info@redcygnet.com |
Born in Norwich, Connecticut, Ami spent much of her childhood exploring the
woods and developing her sense of adventure through imagination. As she
evolved into an artist and storyteller, Ami found great inspiration in the works of
Jim Henson, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien, Brian Froud, Steven Spielberg and George
Lucas. In 1995, while working toward her undergraduate degree at Tallahassee
Community College, Ami realized she wanted to write and illustrate children’s
books. In 1998, Ami was accepted at the Atlanta College of Art, where she began
working diligently toward her dream of illustrating her writing. She graduated in
May 2006 with her Bachelors in Fine Arts. Quest for the Dragon Stone is her first
milestone in what Ami hopes will be a long and exciting career. More information
about Ami can be found at: www.amiblackford.com, www.amiblackford.blogspot.
com, and www.myspace.com/ami143.
woods and developing her sense of adventure through imagination. As she
evolved into an artist and storyteller, Ami found great inspiration in the works of
Jim Henson, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien, Brian Froud, Steven Spielberg and George
Lucas. In 1995, while working toward her undergraduate degree at Tallahassee
Community College, Ami realized she wanted to write and illustrate children’s
books. In 1998, Ami was accepted at the Atlanta College of Art, where she began
working diligently toward her dream of illustrating her writing. She graduated in
May 2006 with her Bachelors in Fine Arts. Quest for the Dragon Stone is her first
milestone in what Ami hopes will be a long and exciting career. More information
about Ami can be found at: www.amiblackford.com, www.amiblackford.blogspot.
com, and www.myspace.com/ami143.
Eric Klug is completing his second semester as a second-year student at the
Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC. His family resides in his
hometown Cincinnati, Ohio – three siblings and two wonderfully supportive
parents. The majority of his current work is done in graphite, ink, and watercolor,
but he continues to explore other mediums in his Fine Art studies and his pursuit of
children’s book illustration.
Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC. His family resides in his
hometown Cincinnati, Ohio – three siblings and two wonderfully supportive
parents. The majority of his current work is done in graphite, ink, and watercolor,
but he continues to explore other mediums in his Fine Art studies and his pursuit of
children’s book illustration.
Sara DeSmet has loved to draw for as long as she can remember. Illustrating her
first book, Scared Silly, is a dream come true. Sara grew up in rural Minnesota,
where nature inspired her art early on. Animals are still one of her favorite
subjects. Though she now enjoys working from her imagination as much as from
observation. “I would like to create a world with my illustrations that thrills and
delights,” says DeSmet. After attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota
and receiving her BA in art and psychology, she moved to Long Beach,
California. Currently, she is a graduate student at California State University Long
Beach studying illustration. More information about Sara can be found at www.
desmetart.com or at www.geocities.com/saradesmet
first book, Scared Silly, is a dream come true. Sara grew up in rural Minnesota,
where nature inspired her art early on. Animals are still one of her favorite
subjects. Though she now enjoys working from her imagination as much as from
observation. “I would like to create a world with my illustrations that thrills and
delights,” says DeSmet. After attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota
and receiving her BA in art and psychology, she moved to Long Beach,
California. Currently, she is a graduate student at California State University Long
Beach studying illustration. More information about Sara can be found at www.
desmetart.com or at www.geocities.com/saradesmet
Sharon McKenna began her art career early in life; her bedroom walls were
papered with drawings of her swing set and her siblings. Always feeling most at
home in an art class, she enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan,
earning a BFA in illustration. Sharon is also a graduate of Rochester Institute of
Technology’s MFA program, in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, School
of Design. Sharon currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, Shawn, and Ella
Elizabeth, their baby daughter. Reading one of her own illustrated books to her
child is a dream come true. More information about Sharon can be found at www.
agrandpastory.com, www.sharonmckenna.blogspot.com, and www.
somethingsimplecards.com.
papered with drawings of her swing set and her siblings. Always feeling most at
home in an art class, she enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan,
earning a BFA in illustration. Sharon is also a graduate of Rochester Institute of
Technology’s MFA program, in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, School
of Design. Sharon currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, Shawn, and Ella
Elizabeth, their baby daughter. Reading one of her own illustrated books to her
child is a dream come true. More information about Sharon can be found at www.
agrandpastory.com, www.sharonmckenna.blogspot.com, and www.
somethingsimplecards.com.
Justin Parpan grew up in a dusty California cow town called San Jacinto. He
spent much of his youth drawing pictures of dinosaurs, hunting for blue-belly
lizards in the wild fields next to his house, and making bizarre little movies with his
brothers in the deserts of Palm Springs. One day Justin hopes to open his own
dinosaur themed roadside attraction. But until that day arrives, you can find him
attending California Institute of the Arts where he’s majoring in film. More
information about Justin can be found at www.goblinfishpress.com and www.
justinpatrickparpan.blogspot.com.
spent much of his youth drawing pictures of dinosaurs, hunting for blue-belly
lizards in the wild fields next to his house, and making bizarre little movies with his
brothers in the deserts of Palm Springs. One day Justin hopes to open his own
dinosaur themed roadside attraction. But until that day arrives, you can find him
attending California Institute of the Arts where he’s majoring in film. More
information about Justin can be found at www.goblinfishpress.com and www.
justinpatrickparpan.blogspot.com.
Kevin Tong currently resides in Long Beach, California. He hopes to use his
illustration skills for good instead of evil. He graduated in the Fall of 2005 from
California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
illustration. More information about Kevin can be found at
www.illo-life.blogspot.com, www.kt-illustration-seq.blogspot.com and
www.myspace.com/emo_force.
illustration skills for good instead of evil. He graduated in the Fall of 2005 from
California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
illustration. More information about Kevin can be found at
www.illo-life.blogspot.com, www.kt-illustration-seq.blogspot.com and
www.myspace.com/emo_force.
Erin Harris is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she
majored in illustration. She has a strong interest in travel and other cultures (a
friend’s travels inspired her book, Elephant on My Roof). Her favorite medium is
watercolor because of the fluidness and spontaneity that can be achieved. She is
also fascinated by light and the way it interacts with color.
majored in illustration. She has a strong interest in travel and other cultures (a
friend’s travels inspired her book, Elephant on My Roof). Her favorite medium is
watercolor because of the fluidness and spontaneity that can be achieved. She is
also fascinated by light and the way it interacts with color.
Kent Knowles was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of an Air Force Chaplain.
He grew up traveling around the world and first began making art while attending
high school in Germany. In 1997, he earned a B.F.A. in Painting from the
Savannah College of Art and Design. He continued to pursue art as a graduate
student in the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, where he
earned his M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing in 2006. Kent currently lives in Atlanta
with his wife Katherine and their fat black cat.
He grew up traveling around the world and first began making art while attending
high school in Germany. In 1997, he earned a B.F.A. in Painting from the
Savannah College of Art and Design. He continued to pursue art as a graduate
student in the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, where he
earned his M.F.A. in Painting and Drawing in 2006. Kent currently lives in Atlanta
with his wife Katherine and their fat black cat.
Ami Blackford
Eric Klug
Sara DeSmet
Sharon McKenna
Justin Parpan
Kevin Tong
Erin Harris
Kent Knowles
Audra George
Rolandas
Kiaulevicius
Kiaulevicius
Daniel Skalak
Born and raised in the small town of Decatur, Indiana, Christina Genth followed
her desire to be creative and to further her artistic talent. Her journey took her to
the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she graduated with a B.F.A. in
Illustration. It was in Savannah where she crossed paths with the talented author
of The Messy Monkey Tea Party, along with her wonderful family. Christina
intends to continue to explore her love of illustrating, and will soon be writing
many more silly and humorous children’s books!
her desire to be creative and to further her artistic talent. Her journey took her to
the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she graduated with a B.F.A. in
Illustration. It was in Savannah where she crossed paths with the talented author
of The Messy Monkey Tea Party, along with her wonderful family. Christina
intends to continue to explore her love of illustrating, and will soon be writing
many more silly and humorous children’s books!
Audra George received a B.F.A. in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art &
Design. She all too briefly studied travel sketching at the SCAD campus in
Lacoste, France, which confirmed her desire to combine travel and doodling
funny pictures into sketchbooks. She is a native of Macon, Georgia, where she
currently lives among cherry blossoms and mosquitos.
Design. She all too briefly studied travel sketching at the SCAD campus in
Lacoste, France, which confirmed her desire to combine travel and doodling
funny pictures into sketchbooks. She is a native of Macon, Georgia, where she
currently lives among cherry blossoms and mosquitos.
Rolandas was born in the small Lithuanian village of Sankonys. At the age of
eleven, he attended art school in Druskininkai. Inspired by his uncle (Vytautas
Dabrukas--a well-known artist and sculptor in Lithuania and other countries) he took
his brushes and paints and moved across the country to Siauliu Pedagogical
University. At Siauliu he studied art and woodworking. After marrying his wife
Laura, Rolandas moved to the United States. He attended Paier Art College in
2004 and is currently enrolled in the master's illustration program at Western
Connecticut State University. He lives in Branford, Connecticut. More information
about Rolandas can be found at www.rolandasart.com.
eleven, he attended art school in Druskininkai. Inspired by his uncle (Vytautas
Dabrukas--a well-known artist and sculptor in Lithuania and other countries) he took
his brushes and paints and moved across the country to Siauliu Pedagogical
University. At Siauliu he studied art and woodworking. After marrying his wife
Laura, Rolandas moved to the United States. He attended Paier Art College in
2004 and is currently enrolled in the master's illustration program at Western
Connecticut State University. He lives in Branford, Connecticut. More information
about Rolandas can be found at www.rolandasart.com.
Daniel Skalak attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is currently
enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, from which he intends to graduate
in 2006. Known for his painting, drawing, and other illustrative works, Daniel is
particularly proud of All Summer’s Fun, which is his first children’s book. Upon
graduating, he plans to attend one of the top art schools in the country to continue
studies in animation.
enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, from which he intends to graduate
in 2006. Known for his painting, drawing, and other illustrative works, Daniel is
particularly proud of All Summer’s Fun, which is his first children’s book. Upon
graduating, he plans to attend one of the top art schools in the country to continue
studies in animation.
Cheri Bivin Deich
Marina Valentina
Garvin Morris
Mai S. Kemble
Matthew Diggins
(photo credit: Sarah Orr)
(photo credit: Sarah Orr)
Nick Bell
Born in Bulgaria, Marina Valentina's childhood is like a strange dream. At six, she
moved to the United States and went straight to first grade where she made it past
language barriers and culture shock. She began seriously pursuing art at Los
Angeles County High School for the Arts, learning from a dozen professional
artists. She received a Bachelor's of Fine Art at California Institute for the Arts in
Character Animation. Marina now uses her experience, imagination, creativity,
and skills with the intention of captivating the minds of children so they will make
a positive difference. She would like to share more of her work with you at
www.MarinaValentina.com, and welcomes any questions or comments.
moved to the United States and went straight to first grade where she made it past
language barriers and culture shock. She began seriously pursuing art at Los
Angeles County High School for the Arts, learning from a dozen professional
artists. She received a Bachelor's of Fine Art at California Institute for the Arts in
Character Animation. Marina now uses her experience, imagination, creativity,
and skills with the intention of captivating the minds of children so they will make
a positive difference. She would like to share more of her work with you at
www.MarinaValentina.com, and welcomes any questions or comments.
Garvin grew up in his parent’s inn and restaurant in Fryeburg Maine. He has
always had a love for the outdoors and small town life. He went to Lyndon State
College for two years in Vermont then transferred to Maine College of Art in 2003.
In 2006 he graduated with a BFA in Illustration. Currently Garvin lives in Warren
Maine with his wife Racheal and his son Noah. For the future he hopes to start a
decorative painting business and illustrate many more books. More information
about Garvin can be found at www.garvinmorris.com.
always had a love for the outdoors and small town life. He went to Lyndon State
College for two years in Vermont then transferred to Maine College of Art in 2003.
In 2006 he graduated with a BFA in Illustration. Currently Garvin lives in Warren
Maine with his wife Racheal and his son Noah. For the future he hopes to start a
decorative painting business and illustrate many more books. More information
about Garvin can be found at www.garvinmorris.com.
Mai S. Kemble has lived all her life in southern California. Drawing from the day
she could pick up a pencil, she moved on to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree in Illustration at California State University, Long Beach. Mai is also the
winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators July 2006
illustration contest for “Cruisin’.” She met her fiance’ Josh Kemble during her
college years and now shares a home with him in Huntington Beach, along with
their pug dog, Holden. Children’s books are her passion, so having her first book
published is a dream come true. She hopes to continue making more art for
children to enjoy, so they can expand their imaginations as well as develop a
love for reading. Please visit her blogspot at www.maiskemble.blogspot.com.
she could pick up a pencil, she moved on to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree in Illustration at California State University, Long Beach. Mai is also the
winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators July 2006
illustration contest for “Cruisin’.” She met her fiance’ Josh Kemble during her
college years and now shares a home with him in Huntington Beach, along with
their pug dog, Holden. Children’s books are her passion, so having her first book
published is a dream come true. She hopes to continue making more art for
children to enjoy, so they can expand their imaginations as well as develop a
love for reading. Please visit her blogspot at www.maiskemble.blogspot.com.
Matthew Diggins has been drawing the strange and frightening creatures of his
imagination since childhood. He was born and raised in the dusty and hot city of
Tucson, Arizona where he fuelled his creativity with comic books and movies until
he reached adulthood and found his inspiration in the art of the past. In 2003 he
spent three months living in Orvieto, Italy, studying classical art and architecture.
In 2006 he received a bachelor’s degree in illustration from the University of
Arizona and is currently pursuing his interests in both illustration and fine art.
Andrew and the Secret Gallery represents his first children’s book, and he hopes to
do more in the future. He presently remains in Tucson, although he spends most of
his time pretending he is somewhere else.
imagination since childhood. He was born and raised in the dusty and hot city of
Tucson, Arizona where he fuelled his creativity with comic books and movies until
he reached adulthood and found his inspiration in the art of the past. In 2003 he
spent three months living in Orvieto, Italy, studying classical art and architecture.
In 2006 he received a bachelor’s degree in illustration from the University of
Arizona and is currently pursuing his interests in both illustration and fine art.
Andrew and the Secret Gallery represents his first children’s book, and he hopes to
do more in the future. He presently remains in Tucson, although he spends most of
his time pretending he is somewhere else.
Nick Bell was inspired to write and draw children’s books after listening to his
younger sister’s questions about the fantasy world of a child. Her questions
inspired the creation of many amazing characters and stories that he holds close
to his heart. Nick began drawing at a young age. His passion for drawing led him
to the Savannah College of Art Design where he graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in Illustration. He was born and raised in New Jersey enjoys hiking with his
dog Sadie as much as possible. Mary the Tooth Fairy is his first, published
children’s book. Please visit www.illustratednick.blogspot.com.
younger sister’s questions about the fantasy world of a child. Her questions
inspired the creation of many amazing characters and stories that he holds close
to his heart. Nick began drawing at a young age. His passion for drawing led him
to the Savannah College of Art Design where he graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in Illustration. He was born and raised in New Jersey enjoys hiking with his
dog Sadie as much as possible. Mary the Tooth Fairy is his first, published
children’s book. Please visit www.illustratednick.blogspot.com.
Cheri Bivin Deich lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her husband Matt, their three
children – Gabriella, Jonah, and Chloe – and their three dogs, Cheyenne,
Sundae, and Frisco. She has worked with children as a pediatric nurse in an
emergency room, with patients in intensive care, and was also a flight care nurse.
The Messy Monkey Tea Party is her first children’s book to be published. Cheri is
currently working on three new children’s books with the help of her talented staff of
writers and artists to whom this book is dedicated.
children – Gabriella, Jonah, and Chloe – and their three dogs, Cheyenne,
Sundae, and Frisco. She has worked with children as a pediatric nurse in an
emergency room, with patients in intensive care, and was also a flight care nurse.
The Messy Monkey Tea Party is her first children’s book to be published. Cheri is
currently working on three new children’s books with the help of her talented staff of
writers and artists to whom this book is dedicated.
Christina Genth