Although I received an education in fine art, soon after graduating with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking, illustration became my profession. My art has found a home in the world of children’s and middle grade publishing. My work has been recognized by the Educational Press Association, Print magazine, 3x3, and Highlights for Children Pewter Plate awards. In 2020 I received a Northern Lights Award in middle grade fiction. In 2024 one of my books received a NYC Big Book Award, a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, A Purple Dragonfly Book Award, and a Colorado Author’s League Award. I live in Cleveland, Ohio with one semi-feral man, and the world’s most unphotogenic indoor cat. I can be reached at dpalen@fmgirl.com or on the contact form here.
A partial list of clients includes:
Penguin Random House
Free Spirit Publishing
National Wildlife Federation: Ranger Rick
Hal Leonard Inc.
Grosset and Dunlap
Scholastic
Bloomsbury
Price Stern Sloan
Highlights for Children
Red Chair Press
Pearson Education