Teresa Flavin
Biography
Teresa Flavin
I was born in New York and grew up in several New England states. Our house was always full of books and I loved to read, especially Nancy Drew mysteries. The first book I ever bought was A LITTLE PRINCESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett - I found it in a book sale for only 5 cents and it even has the author’s autograph! The first painting I remember making was of a Hawaiian lady swimming the backstroke under a palm tree. It was just a stick figure but I was hooked. Ever since then, making pictures has been my favorite activity.
I worked hard to go to art school and studied Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, Massachusetts. I wanted to teach art too, so I completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Syracuse University and taught at Massachusetts College of Art and Design while illustrating for all sorts of projects.
In 1995 I moved with my husband to Glasgow, Scotland, where I have a studio that’s part of a renovated factory. From there I have illustrated a number of picture and chapter books for children and young adults, as well as educational materials. I also love to paint
and I occasionally exhibit my paintings in galleries. I travel as much as possible to absorb inspirations for new work. Trips to India, Bali, Mexico, Spain, Greece and Ireland have all brought me new ideas and imagery. A few years ago I began writing my own stories to illustrate. Although I started out wanting to write stories for children’s picture books, I sometimes wondered about writing a novel for older children. When the idea for The Blackhope Enigma came to me, I put everything I had into it and was awarded a 2006 Scottish Arts Council New Writers Bursary to work on the manuscript. Templar Publishing brought out THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA in 2010 and its sequel, THE CRIMSON SHARD, will be published in the UK in October, 2011. I’m currently working on my third novel for young people.
Three Things You Didn’t Know About Me
1. I used to be a college radio DJ and I love all kinds of music.
2. I bake a mean chocolate cake.
3. I love snorkeling!
Teresa Flavin
