Meet Betsy Day
Betsy Day developed her love of children's book illustration while studying at Paier College of Art. As an apprentice to Mercer Mayer and student of Caldecott Medal winner Uri Shulivitz, Day realized children's book illustration as a true art form. Stefan & Olga, written and illustrated by Day, was published by Dial Publishers, and was featured on the television program Reading Rainbow.
In her illustrations, Day creates new worlds on paper, while drawing inspiration from the world around her. "Sometimes I would think about the description of a character and it would remind me of someone I knew. I would base the appearance of the character on that person. Putting my friends and family ino my work has been my own little secret."
In addition to her children's book illustrations, Day creates expressive oil paintings and pastels. In 2004, her work was featured in the Pier Art Show 12, sponsored by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, and Figurative Vision, curated by Linda Gilbert Schneider and displayed at the Manhattan Borough President's Office. Day has shown her work at the John Slade Ely House (CT) and the Arts + Literature Laboratory (CT). She has additionally participated in the Manhattan Arts International online exhibition Herstory.
Day's World Trade Center paintings were featured in the 2002 memorial program on PBS Channel 21 in Manhattan. She was also one of the five artists selected for the memorial exhibition An Intimate Anniversary in New York City. Day is an active member of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).
Day continues to visit New York City, but has made her home on the shoreline in Branford, CT.
