Hi, my name is Mahnaz. I’m a Graphic designer and Illustrator. I was born in a traditional family in Iran, where I was very fortunate to be raised in a family that encouraged me to become an artist. I always loved to create shapes in my head with clouds and everything else I saw in front of me. So I made many shapes with scraps and leftover fruits peels, and I constantly sketched all over my school notebooks, leaving little room for actual homework. Even though studying art wasn’t what my parent had planned for me, they told me they couldn’t see me doing anything other than art, and I thank them for their support which kept me strong all through college.
After my second year in university, I started teaching art to children and continued that for many years and eventually opened a private art Institute.
I received my bachelor’s in graphic design, and a magazine publisher recruited me as a graphist and Illustrator; it was a rewarding and fun experience. At the same time, I was working in children’s puppet theater as an actress. Being in touch with the children’s world sparked my interest in children’s illustration, and I started to work as an illustrator and published six children’s books. I joined the society of Iranian children’s book illustrators, and I had several individual and group exhibitions. In addition, I was a member of the Judge Panel for three International and National Children’s Painting Contests.
A few years later, I came to the United States and followed my dreams. Now, I am continuously learning new things and excited to start a new chapter in my life. I’m working as a freelance illustrator, and I am a member of both societies of Illustrators of Los Angeles and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).