My story
I've been drawing since I was able to hold a crayon, and my parents have many boxes of bunny scribbles to prove it. I have always loved animals, and grew up on a farm full of chickens, blueberries, apple orchards and cats. We were pretty far from other kids so I spent a lot of time drawing, reading, and wandering in the outdoors alone.
I was the "artist" student through all my elementary through middle school years, winning awards and for a couple years even having a whole youth section of the Buffalo News that I was the primary illustrator for! I loved animals so much I considered going into veterinary medicine, but I was pretty squeamish about blood so art was my ultimate choice.
I attended Alfred University, where I tried my hand at everything including woodworking, photography, painting, and technichal illustration, glassblowing, hot glass casting, and ceramics. After graduating Magna Cum Laude I worked for MacKenzie-Childs, painting furniture in Aurora, NY, then moved all over NY state for a while before settling down in Endicott. I worked for several years for Barnes and Noble, then for 10 years I worked for an embroidery company, all while hauling my artwork all over the country for arts festivals and conventions, showing my artwork anywhere I could.
The experience with embroidery machines made me want to take my own art and embroider it onto beautiful items that could be used. In 2014 I got my own professional embroidery machine, and went into business full time as an artist and craftswoman. From then on in addition to my artwork, I took embroidered bags, pillows, quilts, and other creations with me to shows, selling my creations all over the map. My reputation and portfolio have led me to work with several authors on book collaborations and illustration projects, as well, from adult fiction book covers and pen and ink illustrations to full color children's books.
My husband, David McLain, and I have collaborated on several novels and poetry collections, which can be purchased through my Etsy shop, through Amazon, and through our publisher, Mirror World.
I am still hauling all of my art and embroidery to steampunk conventions, Fairy Fests and arts festivals all over the East Coast. David and I continue to create new collabs while raising our little girl, with a houseful of cats and one strange little gremlin-dog.
The Dog Blog
One of my husband's most personal and funny collaboration projects has been the ongoing "Dog Blog" which I have occasionally drawn little pictures for and which he updates every time something particularly funny happens in our household. We put out a limited edition book compiling the first few years of the blog, but it continues to this day. It's worth a read if you like family and pet humor, and features real life incidents in our travels and home with our dog and cats and kids.
The Infinitely Spiralling Clock- Now available as a free podcast!
The long-awaited sequel to the Time Traveller's Resort and museum, now available on Spotify and Amazon Music as "The Time Traveller's News and World Report"
Kids Books
- Dinosaur Boogie A fun book of dancing dinos available for free kindle download on Amazon!
The Big Red Purse An imaginative story about losing Grandma inside of Mom's purse! Available in Kindle and book format on Amazon!
K-9 Merlyn- Police Dog Extraordinaire A true story of an exceptional dog, available on Amazon
Tabitha Won't Sleep An adorable story about all the things a little girl would rather do than go to sleep, from going to the beach to visiting the Pyramids! Available on Amazon - but also available directly through my Etsy store where you can get a copy signed by the author AND the Illustrator!
Pittsburgh Dog & FrogA cute tour of Pittsburgh landmarks through the eyes of a special little pup! Available in softcover on Amazon!
Bark's Mulberry Socks A charming story about a pup who plays under a special mulberry tree! available on Amazon, and with dual Japanese and English translations!
Sometimes Grandmama DOESN'T Know Me! An informative book for young children dealing with a family member's dementia or Alzheimer's. Available on Amazon in several formats.
- From Tabitha Won't Sleep:
- From Dino Boogie:
From Bark's Mulberry Socks:
From The Big Red Purse:
Adult Books
