 Voting is now over in ABC's Children's Picture Book Competition. Sincere thanks to all who voted for Mean Aunt Amy!
 Illustrations for Children
 In fifth grade, there were a few words that best described me. Backward, awkward, and gangly were some of the monikers affixed by others. But at the top of the list was the well-earned label of obnoxious. I had a hard time sitting still. I quickly lost interest in what my teacher, Mr. Freeman, taught. And, I frequently talked out of turn.
A tomboy at heart, I liked to collect frogs and snakes, pick on the boys, torment girls who I thought were prissy, and pour ink and fingernail polish on various things -- just to see the resulting colors (and sometimes chemical reactions).  I also threw temper tantrums and stuck out my tongue. I wasn’t the worst kid in class, but a very close second!
One day, Mr. Freeman made an assignment: write an essay, an essay about feelings. Something stirred deep inside my heart; I harbored a lot of anger over what I perceived as injustices in my young life. A frequent fixture in the principal’s office, the object of ridicule from other kids, and the source of despair for my parents, an unbridled mass of emotion boiled inside of me. It always bubbled to the surface at the wrong time and place.
As I took out a pencil to complete the essay assignment, my angst flowed onto the paper. It was a pivotal moment in my life. Though I’d had assignments to write before, it was the first time I'd realized that writing could be a constructive outlet.
Since then, I’ve written numerous stories and articles. From cultivating friendships to raising children; from domestic violence to humorus slice-of-life pieces; and from stories for kids to those whose aged bodies only allow them to be kids at heart; my fiction and non-fiction work has allowed me the wonderful opportunity to express myself.
Now, after two decades of working as a writer and artist, the main difficulty I face is grouping all my work so that it makes sense to others. Graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, book cover artist, cookbook author, journalist, inspirational storyteller, novelist, picture book writer, (and don’t forget the most important: mother and grandmother) are words that best describe me at this stage of my life. However, my work is so varied, folks often look at me, scratch their head then ask, “Lori, what is it that you do?” It is my hope that, over the coming months, this site will help to explain.
If you've arrived here looking for info on my peach cookbook, please click on the blog section for a direct link. There you can also find links to my inspirational blog and a blog that has samples of my art for kids. Look around and make yourself at home, if you don't find what you're looking for you can email me via the "Contact" tab.
 All the best,
Lori
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