About me
Since the time I was old enough to hold a crayon I have loved to draw, paint and create things. The New Jersey neighborhood where I grew up was filled with firemen, teachers, moms, nurses, and policemen. Adults would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and my answer was always the same, "an artist!”. In elementary school, I remember looking up 'artist' in the dictionary ... "a person who is skilled or works in any of the fine arts; painting, drawing or sculpture. A person who does anything well with imagination." That definition fits me perfectly!
In high school, a wonderful art teacher helped me enroll in a summer program at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After that, I continued my art education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where I earned a BFA. Since then I get to draw and paint every day as a children's book illustrator. My paintings have appeared in children’s books, magazines, textbooks, as murals, limited edition prints, and are in the Mazza Museum and private collections.
A unique experience to work as an author/illustrator produced Señor Felipe’s Alphabet Adventure, that became a Bank Street Best Children’s Book. The original Señor Felipe cover art can be seen at the Mazza Museum; along with the cover art for Make Yourself a Monster and an interior art spread from Bessie's Bed. The Mazza Museum has the most diverse collection of original artwork by children’s book illustrators in the world.
Working from my home studio in Indiana, I create illustrations with a combination of traditional and digital mediums. Aside from illustrating and sketching on vacations, I enjoy traveling with my husband to visit the growing families of our four sons.
Contact Sharon Vargo
Have a question about my illustration, books, presentations, or want to say hi... I look forward to hearing from you!
sharonvargo@gmail.com
