Robert J. Blake

Robert J Blake was born in Springfield, NJ. He attended Delbarton High School and studied art at the Ringling School of Art, graduated from the Paier College of Art, and attended the Art Students League in New York and the Ashton School in Sydney, AU. Robert J. Blake has lived in NJ, Los Angeles CA, and Melbourne Australia. He currently resides in Nashville, TN and teaches Illustration at Belmont University. He is a frequent presenter at schools, Universities, and conferences. Robert J Blake created his first YA jacket, CRAZY EIGHTS, in 1978 and his first picture book in 1980. To date he has created 24 picture books including, RIPTIDE, AKIAK, and TOGO. His new book, PAINTER AND UGLY, Philomel Books, will be released on January 20, 2011. His most recent, of many awards, is for SWIFT Winner of the 2010 Children's Gallery Award . His website is http://www.robertjblake.com/

Susan Eaddy

Susan Eaddy’s whimsical illustrations are 3D relief sculptures created entirely out of plasticine or polymer clay.Susan was an Art Director for fifteen years, during which time she has illustrated over 80 books in the educational market, won international 3D illustration awards and a Grammy nomination. Her clay illustrated trade books include Papa Fish’s Lullaby, and her newest board books licensed by the Smithsonian Institution; First Look at Aircraft, First Look at Trucks & First Look at Rescue Vehicles.

www.susaneaddy.com

Paige Easter

Paige began her art career out of necessity at an early age in Gallatin, TN.  Dyslexia began to trouble her in third grade, making writing extremely hard on her. Her response was to turn in assignments in a drawing form. This did not go over well with her teacher, but her supportive parents recognized her hardships, and they embraced her talents.  Paige’s father began encouraging her drawing. He also joined her in taking watercolor and pastel classes in her formative years.

She got her BFA from the University of Tennessee in 1986 and has been working as an artist ever since and as a freelance artist since 1995.  She lived in Nashville for 15 years, & now resides in Lebanon, TN. Her website is http://www.paigeeaster.com

Wanda Johnson

Wanda Collins Johnson has always loved art, poetry, and novels that invite you to reflect upon the mysteries of life. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, with a major in painting, and has exhibited her art in Tennessee and New Mexico galleries. Her recent work as an illustrator included this watercolor, Joy, done in a loose style with visible brushstrokes. A published poet, her current works-in-progress include writing and illustrating picture books and writing Young Adult novels. You can see more of her work by visiting www.wandacollinsjohnson.com

Alison Lyne

Alison Davis Lyne has been a freelance illustrator since 1996. She has illustrated magazine covers, greeting cards, B/W spot illustrations for magazines,portraits of famous Kentucky women, and most recently, children's books for Pelican Publishing Company. Her published children's books are Evangeline for Children, Easter Day Alphabet ,Kudzu Chaos,Jacques et la Canne a Sucre,Halloween Alphabet and Thanksgiving Day Alphabet, Bo and the Roaring Pines and Bo and the Christmas Bandit. Alison Lyne works in a realistic style with glowing colors using an acrylic glazing technique. She loves historical illustration, with an interest in clothing and design from many periods, but is also exploring her lighter side. She worked most of her adult life in Nashville, before marrying Frank Lyne, (sculptor) and moving to his farm in south central Kentucky. You can see more of their work by visiting the rest of this website.

Cheryl Mendenhall

Cheryl Mendenhall studied illustration at Washington University in St. Louis  and Art Center in California. Her digital artwork has appeared in magazines, textbooks, and mass-market products, including the board book COWBOY BABY http://www.drmy.com/moveDance.htm To see more  go to http://www.cornellandmccarthy.com/ and click on Color art. Cheryl lives in Nashville with her mad scientist husband and a manic cat.

Mary Uhles

Mary Reaves Uhles is a graduate of Ringling School of Art and Design with a BFA in illustration. Before becoming a freelance illustrator, she worked as a designer and animator of children’s educational software. Always a fan of children’s publishing, in March of 1997 she decided to make the leap to freelancing full time. Since then she has done work for clients such as Thomas Nelson, McGraw-Hill and Word Entertainment as well as numerous children’s magazines. Her illustrations were featured at the 10 year celebration of the Southern Festival of Books. Working primarily in watercolor her images are colorful and whimsical and her characters often inspired by those she knows.  A Tennessee native, Mary lives in Nashville with her husband and two children. She has been an active member of SCBWI since 2003 You can see more of her work at http://www.maryuhles.com