I am an author, a visual artist, and a creator of arts programs for young people. I live and work in Western Massachusetts. My website covers forty years of a busy and varied professional life and is...well, HUGE. To help you navigate, simply continue to scroll down this Home Page. I have divided my work into four categories. The text in each catagory contains links to the relevant section on the Menu.
- To learn the more official details of my work as an author, a visual artist, an educator and a program creator in the arts, click here on Resume
I believe that providing the opportunity for young people to participate in the arts is essential to help them develop vital tools and resources as human beings. Creative work encourges them to explore and express who they are both in their solitary selves and as members of a world community.
- To read more of my thoughts on the importance of the arts, click here on Artist Statement
I remain committed to my own work as an artist and to my work in the arts with young people. Although certain former activities in my work have necessarily been altered by circumstance (I can no longer climb on scaffolding to paint large murals, for instance, or travel long distances to be an Artist-in-Residence), I continue to offer programs locally as a visiting author and visual artist at schools and municipal organizations.
- To ask about these programs, or to ask about my own work, or for any reason at all, click here on Contact
Here are the four catagories. I hope you will explore them by continuing to scroll down this page. Each catagory contains links to the relevant sections on the Menu.
Author
I write novels for young adults. My books have been published in this country by Houghton Mifflin Company and have been translated into several languages and published world-wide. Several of my novels have won national awards and one was produced as an award-winning film in an international co-production.
- To learn about my books, click here on Books and Reviews
- To learn about the film, click here on Filming "Flight of the Albatross"
Visual Artist
My woodcut print illustrations have been published in books, magazines and as posters that have won national awards. My murals and exhibit paintings are on the walls of childrens' and natural history museums, nature and environmental centers, municipal buildings, businesses and private homes.
- To see my work as an illustrator, click here on Illustrations
- To see my mural work, click here on Murals and Exhibit Painting
Creator and Presenter of Creative Writing Programs
I have taught writing workshops and residencies at schools, colleges, libraries and writer's conferences. I have also been a teacher of English at high schools and colleges, and an academic support tutor in public schools.
- To see my work in schools as an author, click here on Author Visits in Schools
Creator and Facilitator of Youth Mural Projects
I have designed collaborative mural projects funded by arts grants, including from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The murals are on the walls of community colleges, municipal buildings and public institutions.
- To see the mural projects I've done with young people, click here on Youth Mural Projects