Kathy is a natural artist, a gift recognized by her friend, author Leslie Hayashi, when they were both seven years old. Leslie saw a picture Kathy drew and said, “I’m going to write books and you’re going to illustrate them.” Decades later they’ve created many books together.

Parents and educators are especially drawn to their Fables from the Friends series because they promote character education through the teaching of morals: Winning doesn't always mean finishing first. Name callers give themselves a bad name.

Kathy (right) with childhood friend Leslie.

As a child, Kathy spent hours making cards and presents for people, poring through craft books, cutting and glueing glitter and paper. Her parents encouraged her talent and took her to classes at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, commuting into town every week. At school everyone asked Kathy to make posters because they knew she was good at it. As a teenager, she painted rocks and beach glass and sold them at art festivals.

As an adult, Kathy began to seriously study watercolor when Leslie started sending her stories. When a friend asks you to do something, you can't let them down (Friends 4-ever). Kathy learned to paint from many gifted teachers and received her first contract to illustrate a children's book only two years after she began watercolor painting.

Sharing the joy of art comes naturally to Kathy. Each year she teaches thousands of students about the art of illustration and book publishing. Her puppets make everyone laugh, and she gets to speak with weird voices!

Around the world, Kathy has traveled to teach art to children and adults -- California, Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico and El Salvador. She directed youth programs at her church for many years and helped people enjoy the spirituality of art. Kathy is a graduate of Stanford University. She continues to develop her skills through art classes, illustration workshops, and regularly attends conferences of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Kathy with art classes in Mexico and El Salvador.
Recent artistic endeavors include a series of murals illustrating the lives of enlightened ones: St. Francis, the Buddha, Meera and Krishna, and St. Teresa of Avila. Her husband David fills in the color on the murals by writing thousands of prayers on them. Kathy is blessed with three children - Lisa, Daniel and Rachel - who give her abiding joy!

Six year old Juan Carlos drew these palms and burro.

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT 2008 Kathleen Wong Bishop