Lauren Gallegos
Lauren Gallegos has illustrated many children’s books since she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration from Cal State Fullerton. She continues to improve her craft and illustrate for young children. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and young daughter.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Owl Moon, and it is still my favorite book! My dad would read it to me and it always felt so dramatic with the combination of text and artwork. It is beautifully written and illustrated!
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Chris Sheban, William Joyce, Juana Martinez-Neal
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I have always loved making art and in college I started out studying Graphic Design, but quickly realized that I preferred to draw and started taking illustration classes. A few professors directed my towards children’s book illustration and it just felt like such a natural fit. I love connecting stories with pictures and communicating emotions and experiences through art.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
Keep drawing! Never stop. Even when you are surrounded by people who are better than you. Put your head down and draw the things that make you happy and that have meaning to you. And when you get to the point where you think you’ve “got it” and you enjoy your own work, keep learning new things and continue to improve, because you are never done.
