MONTHLY MEETING: Illustrator Show & Tell Panel

Join us on May 10, 2025, at 10 A.M. at BookPeople for an inspiring and engaging Illustrator Show & Tell Panel featuring three incredibly talented members of our Austin chapter: Laura Fisk, Keiko Hayner, and Greta Mantooth.

During this special event, our panelists will open up about their creative journeys, from early artistic influences to how they developed their unique styles. They’ll share insights into their illustration processes, offer a behind-the-scenes look at their work, and discuss where they draw inspiration—from everyday life to unexpected moments of magic.

Whether you’re an illustrator, writer, or creative enthusiast, this panel is a wonderful opportunity to hear firsthand from passionate creators about the stories behind their art. There will also be time for audience Q&A, so come ready to engage, learn, and be inspired.

Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow creatives and celebrate the vibrant talent in our SCBWI Austin community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Event Breakdown

WHEN

Saturday May 10th, 2025 at 10:00am CST.

WHERE

In-person at Book People on North Lamar. Third floor!

COST

Free!

RECORDING

None

The meeting starts at 10am. However, if you can not make it in person due to distance or health, we will do our best to stream it live on Zoom. Please register to get the zoom link in your My Events section of your SCBWI account. This meeting is open (and free!) to both paid Members and Registered Users. If you have questions during the presentation, please put them in the Zoom chat. By registering and/or attending our event, you agree to abide by the SCBWI Anti-harassment policy.  

Greta Mantooth is a graphic designer in illustrator’s clothing.

Newly, a writer. Always, an optimist.

The optimist hat is the best one she wears. And we don’t mean the “everything is puppy dogs and rainbows” kind of optimist, either. We know all too well that everything is most certainly not puppy dogs and rainbows, not all the time, anyway. Often, it’s gum in your hair and gray skies and nary a rainbow in sight. We know how it is.

But, Greta is in the hope and humor business, and always has been. A consistent thread through a winding, lifelong creative journey of making and storytelling. 

As a child, Greta made books with her parents to help figure out tricky situations, and later, laugh about them. (Like that one time at the doctor’s office when her usual pediatrician was nowhere to be found, and in her place… a stranger! Can you imagine?)

As an adult, she is still crafting characters and spinning yarns to try and make sense of it all. She likes to think she and her young readers are in cahoots as they figure things out together, with a wink and a smile. 

Keiko Hayner is a freelance illustrator, located in Austin, Texas. 

I am originally from Osaka, Japan and came to the United States in 2004 as a student. My initial plan of staying in San Francisco, CA kept extending and having a family led to establish my new home here in Austin, TX. Colorful, whimsical and fun are the best words to describe my work. My art medium is primarily watercolor, but has recently expanded to digital art and block printing.

I have always loved to draw, paint and simply make something since I was a little girl. I graduated from Osaka University of Arts and obtained my BA in graphic design in Japan in 2004. 

After having a family I started questioning myself what I really wanted to do for my life. I knew in my heart that I always wanted to do something creative, but I didn't know where to start at that time. I restarted painting with watercolor in 2019 as a hobby and I realized how fascinating it was as I painted more and more. I started selling some prints to friends and family soon after and I decided to make this official as Keiko Hayner Illustrations in 2020. I usually make my illustrations with inspirations from listening to people's stories, seeing interesting events and objects in the world and simply sometimes my imaginations. This is my true dream that I use my creativity and skills for my job since I was a little girl!

Laura Fisk is an illustrator located in Austin, TX.

Through my work I’m always trying to convey joy and humor with the undertone of real care and love.  Even if that character is a dancing apple, they have an epic story to tell!   If I could illustrate/write a book as hilarious, touching, and full of life as “The Monster at the End of this Book” that would pretty much be everything.  My background and true art love is in printmaking, especially screenprinting. 

I'm thrilled to have my first book I illustrated out with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, "Sleeping bags to S'Mores: Camping Basics," a fun family camping how-to book.

My work has been featured in Buzzfeed and Parade Magazine amongst other wonderful places, and am so happy to be represented by Rachel Orr at the Prospect Agency.  I live in Austin, TX with my husband, young son, and our dear pug-mix, Figgy.