Available to hire
I am a professional illustrator and designer with expansive experience across editorial, advertising, book layout and design, and both traditional and digital illustration. Over the years I have illustrated more than 250 books for commercial, educational, children’s, and independent publishers, collaborating with schools, publishers, and brands to create compelling visuals and cohesive design systems.
In addition to my studio work, I am an art educator with a background in K-12 and adult education. I have developed and taught art programs, led community outreach initiatives, and mentored students in creative practice and production skills, bridging creativity with practical outcomes.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Owner/Illustrator and Designer at Balkovek Illustration
January 1, 1990 - November 4, 2025Freelance illustrator/designer/project developer. Book layout, illustration and design. Corporate design, product design and ideation. Packaging design, advertising development and illustration. Illustration of over 250 books for commercial, educational, children’s, and independent publishers. Clients include: Schoolwide Inc., Mascot Books, Simon and Schuster, AMS Industries, APass Education, Skyhorse Publishing, Northrup King Gardening Books, Middle River Press, Fearon/Janus Books, Lake Educational, Neely Publications, Charlesbridge Publishing, United States Forest Service, Croc Doc Dentistry, Fantasy Magazine, Appleseeds Magazine, Children’s Digest, Cricket Magazine, Winner Magazine, Game and Fish Magazine, San Francisco SPCA.
Contract Illustrator at Association of Christian Schools International
June 1, 2018 - June 1, 2018Illustrator for series of children’s educational readers. Character creation. Layout, design and illustration of interior pages.
Instructor at Art Academy Cincinnati
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015Created and implemented art lessons for elementary and adult education courses.
Adjunct Instructor - Contemporary Art at ITT Tech
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history. Lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Art Instructor at Plumas County Arts Commission
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2003Developed and Implemented lesson plans for K-12 students which included the use of art in association with diverse curriculum for Arts in the Schools Program. Taught adult classes in Life Drawing.
Art Director-Manager of Art and Production at Fisher Group Advertising
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1990Managed staff of designers including hiring, training, reviews and project scheduling. Customer presentations and art direction of photo shoots. Print purchase and proofing, project design and illustration.
Chief Illustrator at Breuner's Home Furnishings
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1988Illustrated run of the press advertisements for home furnishing stores, aided and executed the art for in store posters, point of purchase displays and promotions.
Owner/Illustrator and Designer at Balkovek Illustration
January 1, 1990 - November 20, 2025Freelance illustrator/designer/project developer. Responsible for book layout, illustration and design, corporate/product ideation, packaging design, advertising development, and illustration. Illustrated over 250 books for commercial, educational, children's, and independent publishers.
Adjunct Instructor at ITT Tech Norwood
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history; lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Chief Illustrator at Breuner’s Home Furnishings
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1988Illustrated run of the press advertisements; aided and executed art for in-store posters, point-of-purchase displays and promotions.
Contract Illustrator at Association of Christian Schools International
June 1, 2017 - June 1, 2018Illustrator for series of children’s educational readers. Character creation. Layout, design and illustration of interior pages.
Instructor SMART Art and Community Outreach Programs at Art Academy Cincinnati
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015Created and implemented art lessons for elementary and adult education courses.
Adjunct Instructor Contemporary Art at ITT Tech Norwood, Ohio
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history. Lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Art Instructor at Plumas County Arts Commission
January 1, 1999 - January 1, 2003Developed and implemented lesson plans for K-12 students which included the use of art in association with diverse curriculum for Arts in the Schools Program. Taught adult classes in Life Drawing.
Art Director-Manager of Art and Production at Fisher Group Advertising
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1990Managed staff of designers including hiring, training, reviews and project scheduling. Customer presentations and art direction of photo shoots. Print purchase and proofing, project design and illustration.
Chief Illustrator at Breuner’s Home Furnishings
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1988Illustrated run of the press advertisements for home furnishing stores, aided and executed the art for in store posters, point of purchase displays and promotions.
Instructor at Art Academy of Cincinnati
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015Created and implemented art lessons for elementary and adult education courses. SMART Art and Community Outreach Programs.
Adjunct Instructor, Contemporary Art at ITT Tech
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history. Lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Art Director - Manager of Art and Production at Fisher Group Advertising
January 1, 1988 - January 1, 1990Managed staff of designers including hiring, training, reviews and project scheduling. Customer presentations and art direction of photo shoots. Print purchase and proofing, project design and illustration.
Adjunct Instructor Contemporary Art at ITT Tech Norwood
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history; lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Instructor at Art Academy Cincinnati
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2015Created and implemented SMART Art and Community Outreach Programs for elementary and adult education courses.
Adjunct Instructor at ITT Technical Institute
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history; lecture preparation, presentation, and student testing.
Adjunct Instructor at ITT Tech
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014Instructed course in contemporary art history; lecture preparation, presentation and student testing.
Art Director at Fisher Group Advertising
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1990Managed staff of designers; hiring, training, reviews, project scheduling; art direction of photo shoots; print purchasing, proofing, and illustration.
Chief Illustrator at Breuner's Home Furnishings
January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1988Illustrated run of press advertisements; aided art for in-store posters, point-of-purchase displays and promotions.
Education
MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of Arts and Crafts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of Arts and Crafts
January 1, 1977 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of Arts and Crafts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of the Arts
January 1, 1979 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of Arts and Crafts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of Arts and Crafts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1979MFA in Illustration at University of Hartford
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2012BFA in Illustration at California College of the Arts
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1979Qualifications
Industry Experience
Consumer Goods, Education, Government, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Real Estate & Construction, Agriculture & Mining, Life Sciences, Other, Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Professional Services
Hire a Children’s Book Illustrator
We have the best children’s book illustrator experts on Twine. Hire a children’s book illustrator in Hagerstown today.