Sara DeSmet

Sara DeSmet recently authored and illustrated her first children's book, Scared Silly. It is published by Red Cygnet Press of San Diego, California. Her illustrations focus on the spooky and fun-filled adventures of three characters: an anteater, pig and opossum. Animals have always been featured in her artwork with her love of texture and detail. She grew up in rural Minnesota where observation from nature was an early inspiration in her work. Now imagination plays just as important of a role in her illustrations.

She has been influenced by the remarkable work for children's literature of Maurice Sendak and Etienne Delessert, and the writings of Bruno Bettelheim on fairytales and fantasy.

DeSmet is the recipient of a number of awards and honors including a scholarship from the Central Minnesota Arts Board. She has also been recognized with a life drawing award from California State University Long Beach.

Her work is in private and public collections. These include collections at the Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center in Burbank, CA and the Dittmann Art and Dance Center in Northfield, MN.

After attending St Olaf College in Northfield, MN and receiving her BA summa cum laude in art and psychology, she moved to Long Beach, California. She studied illustration at California State University Long Beach and received an MFA in art. She currently resides in Irvine, CA.