I was born and raised in Wisconsin, a country girl at heart. My parents were both talented artists. I grew up watching my mother Lorna Balian write and illustrate award-winning books for children. My father John possessed the amazing hand of a master oil painter and worked for many years as an industrial designer. Dad was handy and very hard-working, a carpenter and jack-of-all-trades. Together, my parents remodeled an old brick schoolhouse in the beautiful landscape of Kettle Moraine country and settled down to raise a family of six active children.

My siblings and I had a wonderful childhood! Together we worked in the family garden, raising enough fruits and vegetables to keep us through the long Wisconsin winters. When our daily chores were finished, we ventured off to explore the woods and creeks, running barefoot through the cornfields and climbing trees like happy monkeys. We took long bike-rides, went hunting and fishing, built forts and lived blissfully in our own enchanted natural world. Deep down inside, I am still 10 years old and always will be.

Every day of my life is busy and full. I have four creative children, two super step-children, two sweet dogs, and one very charming cat. My husband Bob and I have recently become certified Master Gardeners. There is nothing more rewarding than working in our yard, digging holes and planting trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and flowers. Our garden is a constant source of inspiration and joy (and very hard work)!

We live in the lovely city of Green Lake, home of Wisconsin’s deepest lake. I am continually thrilled by the beauty of our local natural resources. My obsession with photography often takes me on nature walks with my dog Maizy, a lovable Plot hound mix. Indoors, I stay busy with a wide variety of domestic delights such as cooking, embroidery, jewelry making, and reading. I work part-time at the local library and enjoy being surrounded by books and people who love books. In my spare time, I illustrate children’s books and enjoy every minute of it! When I am finished re-designing my mother’s books, I will begin to write and illustrate my own books, my ideas are never-ending…