Monica is an artist and illustrator known for her whimsical, humorous, and heartwarming creations that delight both children and parents. As the fourth daughter of a military officer and a creative, hardworking mother, Monica enjoys experimenting with various mediums and techniques to breathe life and personality into her creatures. Her style is anything but ordinary—vivid and full of playful charm, offering a glimpse into her imaginative world. Her colorful, detailed illustrations brim with energy and a refreshing perspective.

 

Monica’s journey into art is as unique as her creations. With a degree in geology, she began her career exploring the wilds of Northern Ontario and the Yukon as a geologist. Immersed in nature, she developed a deep love for the environment and its creatures. After raising a family and transitioning to a second career as a business analyst in the field of IM/IT, Monica returned to her lifelong passion for sketching. Recently, she has embraced the freedom to let her creatures fully come alive through canvas and sculpture.

 

Monica lives with her husband, Pierre, in a charming log house nestled in acres of maple forest. The tranquil setting, teeming with inspiring creatures—both real and imagined—nurtures her creativity. As a visual storyteller, she invites you to join her on a whimsical journey through her art.

Susan loves to create things – like visual art, writing stories, taking photographs and culinary feasts for her friends. She is also that person who completely and utterly overdoes Halloween. She tells a lot of stories – not all of them are true – like in the Jumbimal series. She makes things up.

 

She gets her inspiration stepping away from the screen on her solitary drives in all seasons, capturing the nostalgia of abandoned rural Saskatchewan. She leaves very early in the morning. She posts photographs and stories everyday, on her highly successful and engaging collaborative Facebook page ‘Chasing Yesterday’. She is always surprised at what you can see when you open your eyes a little bit. Her stunning and unique art of flowers and trees using ripped up paper has received numerous accolades. 

 

On a more serious note, she has a Masters in Public Administration, Bachelors in Economics,  is a certified coach and has her own business in strategic planning and communications writing. All very useful when you are writing children’s books. lol. As one of five children of a military family, she went to 13 different schools and has travelled extensively. She lives in Saskatchewan in a perfect old house with her dear husband John and three cats. She dotes on her three adult children and her grandson. She loves taking risks and red polka dots.

​