At the age of five, Kristina Swarner created her first illustrated story, “Alice,” using crayon on manila paper, and she has been drawing ever since. Often described as magical and dreamlike, her work draws much of its imagery and inspiration from dreams and from childhood memories of exploring old houses, woods, and gardens. Since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, Swarner has illustrated books, greeting cards, magazines, wine labels, CD covers, and theater posters, and her art has won numerous awards. She lives in Chicago. For more information, please visit her website.