ILLUSTRATOR BIO

Linzi Miller has loved to draw and paint since she was a little girl. She has always been better at art than most other things, and art class was her favorite class in school. She loved to look at illustrated books when she was young, and she loved to write and illustrate her own books even more. At age six Linzi entered one of her books in a contest, and when she won the contest her book was published. Linzi won many art awards throughout elementary and junior high school. She was known by her peers as “the girl who can draw”. Some of her earliest influences were Lane Smith, illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, and Bill Watterson, writer and illustrator of Calvin and Hobbes. She dreamed of someday using her talents to make others laugh, but also to help make an impact in the lives of children.
Ms. Miller put her faith in God at a very young age. She always wanted to use the gifts that God gave her to serve him and to help others.

Linzi's high school art teacher, Judy Hardesty was the person who really encouraged her to go to college and make a career of art. She suggested that Linzi study illustration at the Columbus College of Art & Design. Throughout high school Mrs. Hardesty helped Linzi enter her work in several juried art shows around the state of Ohio . Linzi received recognition at the Ohio Governor's show, as well as the Scholastic show, which is held at CCAD. Linzi graduated from Clear Fork High School in 2001 and moved to Columbus to attend CCAD. She was awarded the Dean's Scholarship, and it was the largest scholarship received by any student in her graduating class at CFHS. She went to college for 4 years. During that time, she considered several majors, and even changed her major once from illustration to fashion design. That lasted for about two weeks, and then she quickly changed her major back to illustration.

While Linzi was at CCAD she was given the privilege to study under C.F. Payne, and David Groff, two working illustrators who are well known and respected in the art world.

She considers their teaching and advice very valuable, and feels that the classes they taught helped her find her niche as an illustrator. She also looks to artists like Joe Sorren and Jacqui Oakley for inspiration.

Linzi graduated in May of 2005 with a BFA. She now resides in Columbus , Ohio and works as a graphic designer and freelance illustrator. She has been attending the Vineyard Church of Columbus for the past 5 years, where she has served as a small group leader, host, and member of the prayer ministry team. Linzi hopes to continue to create artwork that touches the lives of children.