Since childhood I've pursued the fields of both painting and writing, convinced that each fed the other. When raising five children it was quite a balancing act, and poetry often filled  my need for expression and peace of mind.

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It also led me to write my first picture book. Over the years I've completed many award winning picture books and young adult novels, some in verse. Quite a number of my paintings are in private and public collections both in the United States and in Japan. You will find samples of both my books and art work on these pages. I'll include new work as it is published or painted.  

I recently retired from teaching in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Lesley University and am devoting my time to my own work and my family. Where the books are concerned, I serve on the board of Pen N.E. Caucus on Children's Literature and am a Post Theses Advisor for Lesley. You can reach me for  Skype visits through my contact page or Candlewick Press.  Please message me for inquiries about the availability of my art work  as well.

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Presently I live and work in the seaside town of Rockport, Massachusetts. The sea, as it always has, figures into much of my work.