Wendy Watson Bio

Wendy Watson is a third generation author and artist. Her grandparents, Ernest W. Watson (http://ernestwwatson.com/) and Eva Auld Watson, were painters and pioneer color block printers. Ernest was also founder and editor of the magazine American Artist; co-founder of Watson-Guptill Publications; and co-founder of one of the first summer art schools, the Berkshire Summer School of Art. Wendy’s father, Aldren A. Watson (http://www.aldrenwatson.com/) , was an author, and also the illustrator of more than 175 books, including many children’s books written by Wendy’s mother, Nancy Dingman Watson.
Wendy received her primary education and early art training from her parents. She later studied painting and drawing with Jerry Farnsworth, Helen Sawyer, and Daniel Greene, and received a BA in Latin Literature from Bryn Mawr College.
Wendy is the author-illustrator of twenty-one books for children, and the illustrator of over sixty books for other authors. Her books have received many awards and honors, including: The National Book Award, Nominee; The Koret Jewish Book Award; The Sydney Taylor Honor Book Award; Best Books of the Year, The New York Times; Best Books of the Year, American Library Association; Best Books of the Year, School Library Journal; Best Books of the Year, Publisher’s Weekly; Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice; Notable Children’s Books, American Library Association; Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, National Science Teachers Association/Children’s Book Council; Pick of the Lists, American Bookseller’s Association; and Notable Children’s Books in the Field of Social Studies, Children’s Book Council.
Wendy’s artwork has been exhibited widely, and has been included in numerous national and international shows, including: “The Biennial of Illustration”, Bratislava, Yugoslavia; “The Original Art”, The Society of Illustrators, New York; and “The Annual Exhibition of American Illustration”, The Society of Illustrators, New York. She was one of 106 artists represented in the exhibition and book “Myth, Magic, and Mystery: One Hundred Years of American Children’s Book Illustration." Wendy’s work is part of numerous private and institutional collections.
Wendy is a member of the Author’s Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and The Society of Illustrators.