Amanda has been an artist since the third grade. At Central Community College in Seattle, she studied design and advertising graduating in 1989. Since that time her work has included editorial design for MSNBC and ABCNEWS.COM.

Her goal however, has always been to pursue a career in children’s book illustration. When her husband Gary a fine musician and lyricist said, “I’ll support you to follow your dream”, she quit her job and attended the 2002 Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Conference in Los Angeles. There she won the portfolio exhibition event with Best Portfolio and attended a workshop given by Dilys Evans, a conference speaker.

In January 2003 she became the newest member of DEFI and already has two contracts for picture books due for publication in 2004/2005. Amanda has that wonderful “kid sense” that presents itself in everything she does.

Her editor Joanna Cotler of Joanna Cotler Books, an imprint of Harper Collins says of her, “She has a unique style and voice and possesses an almost uncanny book sense for such a young artist.”

Amanda, Gary and Miss Kate live in Scottsdale Arizona.