Bio:

Creativity and storytelling have always been part of my life. Growing up in an artistic family helped cultivate my talent and imagination. Instead of coloring books I was given a pad of newsprint and a huge basket of crayons. My early childhood was spent in a perpetual bathing suit in sunny southern California. On hot days we would mix powdered tempera paints with the garden hose and use our sliding glass door as our canvas. On rainy days we would snuggle up in the happy chair and read.

Laura Ingalls was my invisible friend. I was captivated by Dare Wright's photojournalistic images of Edith and Mr. Bear. Raggedy Ann and Andy were my first character inspirations. Then came Judy Blume to ease me through the tweens. So, it was not surprising that I wrote and illustrated my first book the summer before third grade, an adventure story about the pollywog pond down the street. It's great material for school visits since everyone in the third grade is author. In junior high we moved to a little farm in Northwestern Washington which added to my arsenal of experiences including barn animals, tractors and a hot sticky hay barn.

I began my career as an art director. But becoming a mother brought me back to those days of bathing suits and books. And everything clicked. I attended my first LA SCBWI Conference in 2003 and received a national portfolio award. I illustrated my first series of educational books in 2005. Dizzy the Dolphin was the a 2008 recipient of a Mom’s Choice award for Children’s Picture Book Adventure. Stay tuned for my newest project, "A good sign for Alice," set to release in early 2014.

By nature, I am a story teller, so expressing myself as an illustrator just makes sense. It makes the rest of my world fall into place. And, I'm famous in the eyes of the local 5 year olds. Some years ago my daughters’ play group was discussing what their parents did for a living. “Well,” my daughter stated, “My mommy colors for a living.” Silence fell over the room. I’m totally cool.


Writer/Illustrator
PAL
Member since 2002
Region: Inland Northwest

Contact Information

Email:  karyleeillustration@gmail.com
Phone:   509-432-3819
Current Location:   Pullman
Website:  http://www.karyleeillustration.com

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes