Doreen Mulryan
Doreen Mulryan attended Carnegie Mellon University and New York’s School of Visual Arts. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator, Doreen designed toys for companies like Toys"R"Us and Hasbro. She lives in New Jersey.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Frogs Merry by Juliet Kepes and Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss.
What’s your favorite line from a book?
When you think things are bad,
when you feel sour and blue,
when you start to get mad…
you should do what I do!
Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you’re really quite lucky!
Some people are much more…
oh, ever so much more…
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky thank you!
—Dr. SeussWho are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Mary Blair, Jon Klassen, and Kevin Dart to name a few. I have many favorites who inspire me!
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
Children’s books are a wonderful medium. Being both a fine arts and cartooning major in college I think children’s book illustration is a great way to be able to combine those two. And I’ve been surprising myself with how much I enjoy storytelling.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Keep drawing, writing, creating. You’re doing what you love! Always keep that in mind through the hard times. Be patient and perseverant. It takes time and drive to build up your career. But most of all it takes trust and confidence in yourself that you can do this.
