Featured Bio: Megan Halsey

Megan is much more than a columnist and contributer for Where Women Cook, she is also an award-winning artist (including two Oppenheim Toy Newsletter Gold Awards and a gold award from NPPA) that is celebrating over 20 years in the business of making books for children. She has illustrated 44 books, some of which she also authored. She has her own line of products including mugs, magnets, frames, bookmarks and plaques and is collaborating on a 2011 product line with Demdaco, a design-driven company specializing in gifts and home accents.

“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!”

A former Pratt Institute professor, Megan is currently a professor at Moore College of Art & Design, in Philadelphia, and on the faculty of Marywood University’s MFA Program for Working Professionals, in Scranton, PA.

“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.”

Megan lives in Lansdowne, PA, known for it’s small town charm, welcoming community and killer farmer’s market. She also finds time to serve on the Lansdowne Arts Board, co-chair of their annual art and music festival and whip up batches of Rice Krispy treats with her niece, Lil.

Megan has two new books releasing in 2011-Cousins of Clouds and 3 Pandas Planting.

To learn more about Megan and her art, please visit www.MeganHalsey.com