Today's guest is Sheryl Murray. She's been an illustrator for close to 30 years and had always dreamed of being a children's book illustrator, but due to available jobs out of school, re-locating, engaging in a different medium (clay) and being a parent, realizing her dream was delayed until just a few years ago.  Since, she has worked with the likes of Penguin Random House, and Harper Collins on five different children's books.  Two books, Hand in Hand . and  Lulu and the Hunger Monster  have already been released  (see links below) and the next three roll out starting in January 2022 with Still Mine.    So, yes, Sheryl has been very busy and one look at her work should help explain this.  It's beautiful!

In this episode we hear of her work prior to computers presence in the illustration field, her move from Chicago to Portland, her discovery of and work in ceramics, her resilience in managing illustration assignments depicting stories that were uncannily similar to personal life events, like losing her parents and grandmother, and becoming an empty nester with daughters in school on the other side of the country, among others.  One thing that is quite evident, is that Sheryl seems to think in visual story telling and a great deal of evidence is discussed/revealed in this very entertaining episode, complete with beeped out names, fake IDs and a discussion about The Smiths.   

Additionally, Steve and Sheryl attended undergraduate  art school together and were in the same social group.  As such, there is some time discussing their shared art school experiences at the onset of the episode and near the end. Snake sweaters. 

Simon & Shuster - Hand in Hand  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hand-in-Hand/Alyssa-Satin-Capucilli/New-Books-for-Newborns/9781534441729

Free Spirit Publishing - LuLu and the Hunger Monster
https://www.freespirit.com/social-and-emotional-learning-for-kids-and-teens/lulu-and-the-hunger-monster-erik-talkin-sheryl-murray?c=173

Sheryl's website - https://www.sherylmurray.com/
Sheryl-Murray-Illustration on Facebook
Twitter - @Sheryl_Murray
Instagram - @sheryl_murray_illustration

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Kites and String's is produced and edited by Steve Ploum at Turning Stones Counseling, Inc.
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