Mary Jane Begin became illustration chair of the graduate programs in children’s literature at Hollins in July 2019. She is also a senior critic in the illustration department at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she has taught for over 30 years and serves as the internship and professional development advisor. Another teaching venture includes an online video course on color, composition, character development and media and materials with LinkedInLearning.com and CreativeLive.com. She is an award-winning illustrator and author of picture books including Little Mouse’s Painting, A Mouse Told His Mother, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Willow Buds, tales inspired by The Wind in the Willows, a classic tale that she also illustrated. Seven of her titles have been translated in Chinese, including My Little Pony: Under the Sparkling Sea and The Dragons on Dazzle Island published by Little Brown in collaboration with Hasbro. Her most recent title, Ping Meets Pang, has garnered a Silver Nautilus Award, a Next Generation Indie Book Award, and a National Indie Award of Excellence.
Education
- B.F.A. in Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design