About Me I am an artist celebrating over 24 years in the business of making books for children. I have illustrated over 45 books, some of which I have also written. My work has received numerous honors including two Oppenheim Toy Newsletter Gold Awards and a gold award from NAPPA (National Parenting Publication Awards). The New Yorker magazine praised my dimensional work as “tromp l’oile marvels”!!
Two of my books have been recently released. Cousins of Clouds, illustrated with Sean Addy, is a book of elephant poems written by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. In 2011, Cousins of Cloud also made the 100 Books for Reading and Sharing from The New York Public Library. 3 Pandas Planting, which I wrote and illustrated, is about recycling and taking care of the environment. (www.3pandasplanting.com)
My editorial illustrations have appeared in many international and national magazines.
My love of patterned endpapers in my children’s books led me to create decorative art for licensed products and giftware. My products include mugs, magnets, frames, bookmarks and plaques. One of my recent collaborations is the Farm Fresh product line with Demdaco, a design-driven company based in Leawood, KS, specializing in gifts and home accents.
A former Pratt Institute professor, I am currently a professor at Moore College of Art & Design, in Philadelphia, and on the faculty of Marywood University’s MFA Program for Working Professionals. I earned my Masters Degree, in illustration, from this wonderful program. (www.moore.edu www.marywoodmfa.com)
I live in the cute, small, town of Lansdowne, PA, where I serve on the borough appointed Arts Board and am co-chair of our annual three-day celebration of music and art- The Lansdowne Arts Festival. (www.lansdowneartsfestival.com)
I have always loved drawing and making things. My parents were creative and supported my talents. My father was an artist and teacher and took me to art museums on my birthdays. As a child, I took piano lessons but rather than practice, I colored in the sheet music! To this day, I love music, and I love to color, but cannot play the piano. About Me (continued) My love of books was nurtured by my schoolteacher-Grandmother, who gave me books as presents. As a child, I was frequently caught late at night, under my covers, with a book and flashlight!
I began studying art in eighth grade, continued through high school, and became a printmaking and illustration major in college. After graduation, I studied art in New York City at the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design. When I took a children’s book illustration class I knew, right away, I wanted to be a children’s book illustrator. I went on to study at Marywood University where I earned a Masters degree in studio art and illustration. As a professional artist, I combine my love of art and making things with my love of books.
While teaching at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, I met Sean Addy. We admired each other’s work, soon became friends, and started talking about collaborating. Today, Sean and I are an award-winning duo designing and creating children’s books together.
After years of creating images for children, I discovered I had deeper thoughts to express. Images geared toward grown-ups emerged through my personal art. This body of work became my editorial art that is now published in magazines and on book jackets.
In 2007, I showed my decorative art for licensing at the big Surtex Show at the Javits Center in New York City. My first giftware line was created that year from a collaborative effort between myself and Demdaco, a highly respected quality giftware company. I continue to show at Surtex and love developing new art for a variety of different products. At the 2010 show, I met Jo Packham, creator of the popular Where Women Create magazine. I am privileged to have been a part of Jo’s inaugural year of Where Women Cook. (www.wherewomencook.com) Resume Education: M.A., Illustration, Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1991 B.A., Illustration, Montcalir State University, Montclair, New Jersey, 1984 Printmaking, THe Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, 1980 - 1983
Teaching Experience: 2007 to Present Adjunct Professor, Illustration Department Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . Responsibilities include course syllabi, lectures, critiques, grading for junior and senior illustration majors and some fine art majors. . Organized class trips to Running Press- a major, Philadelphia-based book publisher and bookstores. . Courses: Illustration for Children (Spring 2007 - Present, Elective) Junior Illustration Studio (Autumn 2007, Required) Business for Illustrators (Autumn 2008 - Present, Required)
2000 to Present Instructor, MFA Program for Working Professionals - Idependent Study for Designers and Illustrators Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania . Responsibilities include course syllabus, lectures, critiques, and grading for 1st and 2nd year illustration and graphic design graduate students. . Organized class trips to The Children’s Book Council-NYC, Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustrators-NYC. . Courses: Children’s Book Design and Illustration (2000 - Present, Required) Critique Class (2009 - Present) Advanced Design and Illustration Workshop (2005 - Present, Continuin Ed.)
1995 to 2003 Visiting Assistant Professor, Communication Design Department, School of Art and Design Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York . Responsibilities include course syllabi, lectures, critiques, grading for juniors and seniors. . Participation in semester’s end “Student Survey” individual student art review. . Organized class trips to The Illustration House-NYC, Books of Wonder-NYC, Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustrators-NYC, TriBeca Studio Tours-NYC. . Courses: New Directions in Illustration/Children’s Book Illustration (18 semesters, Elective) Independent Study (6 semesters, Elective) Senior Project (2 semesters, Required) Work Study Internship (1 semester, Elective) Resume Art for Licensing Experience: 2007 to Present Megan Halsey Art & Design, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania . Clients include: • Indigo, stationery collection, February 2012 • Demdaco, Farm Fresh Style giftware line, Summer 2011 • Sellers RSVP, greeting cards, 2010 to Present • Pine Ridge Art Boutique, mugs, magnets, list-pads, 2010 to Present • Demdaco, Simple Notions giftware line, January 2009 • Andrews + Blaine, bookmarks, 2010 Editorial Illustration
Books, magazines, packaging and advertising. Clients include: Midwest Airlines Graphic Artist’s Guild - New York Chapter St. Martin’s Press University of Denver Law School Abelson-Taylor Agency The Pennsylvania General Store The Collective Design Firm (Australia) Pulse Nursing Magazine (Canada) The Penn Gazzette University of Pennsylvania Alumni Magazine Guideposts - Angels Among Us Magazine Indianapolis Monthly New Jersey Life Men’s Health Family Circle Yankee Magazine Harvard Alumni Magazine Where Women Cook Illustrations for Children Forty-five children’s books and children’s products including, magazines, posters, videos and education materials. Clients include: American Library Association Houghton Mifflin Harper Collins Charlesbridge Publishing Reader’s digest Dial Books for Young Readers Scholastic Inc. Aladdin Paperbacks Simon & Schuster Little Simon Klutz Press MacMillan Marshall Cavendish Bradbury Press Walker & Company Books for Young Readers Creative Teaching Press Clarion Books Puffin Books Picture Books: Written & Illustrated by Megan Halsey Title: 3 Pandas PLanting Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2011 Published by: Aladdin-Simon & Schuster Year: 1999
Title: Circus 123 Published by: Harper Collins Year: 2000
Title: Hounds Around Town Published by: Little Simon Year: 1997
Title: Jump For Joy Published by: Bradbury PRess Year: 1994
Title: Something To Crow About Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers Year: 1990 Picture Books: Illustrated by Megan Halsey Title: Cousins Of Clouds (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer Published by: Clarion Books Year: 2011
Title: Steady Hands (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer Published by: Clarion Books Year: 2009
Title: Boats-Speeding! Sailing! Cruising! (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Patricia Hubbell Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2006
Title: Cars-Rush! Honk! Vroom! (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer Published by: Clarion Books Year: 2006
Title: Akira to Zoltan (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Cynthia Chin-Lee Published by: Charlesbridge Year: 2006
Title: Backyard Bear Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 2006 Picture Books: Illustrated by Megan Halsey Title: Trains-Steaming! Pulling! Huffing! (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Patricia Hubbell Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2005
Title: Amelia To Zora - An Alaphabet of Amazing Women (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Cynthia Chin-Lee Published by: Charlesbridge Year: 2005
Title: Little Shark Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 2005
Title: Four Seasons Make a Year Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 2004
Title: Trucks-Whizz! Zoom! Rumble! (Illustrated with Sean Addy) Written By: Patricia Hubbell Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2003
Title: Two Blue Jays Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 2003 Picture Books: Illustrated by Megan Halsey Title: Where, Where is Swamp Bear? Written By: Kathi Appelt Published by: Harper Collins Year: 2002
Title:Becoming Butterflies Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 2002
Title: Moon Rooster Written By: Phillis Gershator Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2001
Title: Telling Time Written By: Jules Older Published by: Charlesbridge Publishing Year: 2000
Title: Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 1999
Title: One Bean Written By: Anne Rockwell Published by: Walker & Co. Year: 1998 Picture Books: Illustrated by Megan Halsey Title: Who Wakes Rooster? Written By: Claire Meeker Published by: Simon & Schuster Year: 1996
Title: Math In The Bath Written By: Sara Atherlay Published by: Simon & Schuster Year: 1995
Title: Annabel Again Written By: Janice Boland Published by: Dial Books Year: 1995
Title: Annabel Written By: Janice Boland Published by: Dial Books Year: 1993
Title: THe Darling Boys Written By: M.C. Helldorfer Published by: Bradbury Press Year: 1992 Hardcover Books Series
Title: Backyard Projects-Spring, Summer, Winter, Autumn Written By: Phyllis Busch Published by: Marshall Cavendish Year: 2000 Softcover Books
Title: Twice As Nice Written By: Margaret Allen, Ph.D. Published by: Creative Teaching Press Year: 1998
Title: Let’s Trim The Tree Written By: Bernice Chardiet Published by: Puffin Books Year: 1994
Title: I Help Mommy Written By: Bernice Chardiet Published by: Puffin Books Year: 1994
Title: I Help Daddy Written By: Bernice Chardiet Published by: Puffin Books Year: 1994 Easy Readers Title: Stewart Stork Written By: Ross Martin Madsen Published by: Dial Books Year: 1993
Title: Rosa & Marco and The 3 Wishes Written By: Barbara Brenner Published by: Bradbury Press Year: 1992
Board Books
Title: Made by God, One Lost Sheep, Rainbow Party, and Things I Do Written By: Dandi Daley Mackall Published by: Augsburg Fortress Press Year: 2002
Title: Gardens Colors Written By: Joshua Morris Published by: Western Publishing Year: 1993 Softcover Book and Cassette Series
Title: Songs To Sing-Christmas, Spring, Winter Compiled By: Bernice Chardiet Published by: Scholastic Inc. Year: 1991 Activity Books Title: Save the Rainforest! Written By: Phoebe Yeh and Nancy Krulik Published by: Scholastic Inc. Year: 1992
Title: Save the Animals Written By: Phoebe Yeh and Nancy Krulik Published by: Scholastic Inc. Year: 1991
Title: All About The Fifty States Written By: Nancy Krulik Published by: Scholastic Inc. Year: 1991
Title: All About The Five Senses Written By: Beth Goodman Published by: Scholastic Inc. Year: 1990 Awards & Professional Recognition 2011 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, The New York public Library, Cousins of Cloud, written by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Clarion Books 2009 Starred Review, Publisher’s Weekly, Steady Hands, written by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Clarion Books Starred Review, Booklist, Boats: Speeding! Sailing! Cruising! Written by Patricia Hubbell, Marshall Cavendish 2007 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, National Science Teachers Association & the Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, Akira to Zoltan, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, National Science Teachers Association & the Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of the Year, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing The ABC Best Books for Children, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing Amelia Bloomer Project, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing Children’s Choice Award, International Reading Association & the Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing Bookbuilders of Boston New England Book Show Winner, Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing 2005 Gold Award, National Association of Parents Publications Association(NAPPA), Amelia to Zora, written by Cynthia Chin Lee, Charlesbridge Publishing 2003 Starred Review, School Library Journal, Trucks- Whizz! Zoom! Rumble! Written by Patricia Hubbell, Marshall Cavendish 2002 Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Newsletter, Becoming Butterflies, written by Anne Rockwell, Walker & Co. Awards & Professional Recognition 2001 Picturebook of the Year, Texas Institute of Letters, Where, Where is Swamp Bear? Written by Kathi Appelt, Harper Collins 2000 Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Newsletter, Circus 123, written by Megan Halsey, Harper Collins 1999 Textbook Adoption Program, Georgia State Department of Education, 3 Pandas Planting, written by Megan Halsey, Aladdin Paperbacks 1998 Outstanding Science Trade Book, National Science Teachers Association & the Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, One Bean, written by Anne Rockwell, Walker & Co. Pick of the List, American Booksellers Association, One Bean, written by Anne Rockwell, Walker & Co. Bank Street College of Education’s Best Books of the Year, Who Wakes Rooster? written by Clare Hodgson Meeker, Simon & Schuster 1996 Recommended Reading List For Children, The New Yorker, November 18, 1996, Who Wakes Rooster? written by Clare Hodgson Meeker, Simon & Schuster Children’s Choice Award, International Reading Association & the Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, Annabel Again, written by Janice Boland, Dial Books for Young Readers 1993 Pick of the List, American Booksellers Association, Annabel, written by Janice Boland, Dial Books for Young Readers 1992 Featured Artist, The Artist’s Magazine, February 1992, Article: Putting Humor In The Pages, written by Megan Halsey Selected Art Shows & Exhibition 2012 Under the Creative Umbrella, The Art Institute of California Inland Empire, San Bernardino, CA 2010 Phillustration, juried, honorable mention, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA Children’s Book Illustrators, Bernardsville Public Library, Bernardsville, NJ 2009 Episopal Academy Gallery, solo show, Newtown Square, PA Phillustration, juried, second place, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA 2008 Moore Faculty Show, Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA 2007 Members Show, juried, second place, Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA Artist of the Month, Regency Gallery, Lansdowne, PA 2005 Members Show, juried, First place, Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA 2003 Art of Megan Halsey, White Horse Village Gallery, Newtown Square, PA 2002 9/11-Pratt Artists Respond, Schafler Gallery, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY Face To Face, juried, Honorable Mention, The Stage Gallery, Merrick, NY 2000 Pratt Faculty Show, Puck Building Gallery, New York, NY 1999 Marywood Graduate Alumni Show, Suraci Gallery, Scranton, PA 1996 The Magic of Children’s Book Illustration, juried, Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY Museum Exhibitions 2002 Prevailing Human Spirit 9.11.01, Society of Illustrators Museum of Illustration, New York, NY Selected Lectures & Public Engagements 2011 • Commencement Ceremony Speaker, Art Institute of California Inland Empire, San Bernadino, CA • Featured Speaker, Buck’s County Illustrator’s Group, • Speaker & Panelist, The Creative Connection, St. Paul, MN • Panel Participant, NYC Chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild at Pratt Manhattan, New York, NY 2010 • Visiting Artist, Where Women Cook Magazine Launch Party & Signing, Chelsea Market, Philadelphia, PA 2009 • visiting author/artist, The Pennsylvania General Store, Philadelphia, PA • featured book fair author, Episcopal Academy, Newtown Square, PA 2005 • Book Day visiting artist and participant, The Open Connections School, Edgemont, PA 2004 • keynote speaker, Barnes and Noble’s Teacher Appreciation Evening, Allentown, PA 1998 • demonstrator, Winterthur Historic House and Museum, Odessa, Delaware 1996 • panel participant, Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustration, Illustrators Who Teach Conference, New York, NY 1995 • demonstrator, United Nations School, New York, NY • visiting artist lecturer, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY 1991 to 1997 • visiting artist lecturer, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY Community Service Member, Lansdowne Arts Board (borough appointed), 2010 to present. Co-chair, Director of Fine Arts/Crafts; Steering Committee, Lansdowne Arts Festival, 2002 to present. Judge, Public Awareness Committee’s First Annual Children’s Arts Contest, City of Philadelphia Mental Retardation Services, Philadelphia, Pa., 2005 Professional Memberships Society of Illustrators, 2005 to present. Graphic Artists Guild, 1999 to 2004, 2011 Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, 1987 to 2003 Giftware Giftware Giftware