Online Gallery features: Mike Maystead

I live in Palo Alto, CA with my wife (the beautiful and charming Jennifer Allen); my son, Chris (8 years old); and my daughter, Laura (6 years old – going on 13). We have 2 cats, 1 dog and a mortgage we call Bob.

My favorite movie is "Harvey" with James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd. To me "Harvey" is less of a movie and more of a philosophy of life. I've based my life on two quotes from that movie.

"In this world ... you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant."

"I've wrestled with reality for 35 years and I'm happy to say I've finally won out over it."

When I was growing up I told my Mom and Dad that I wanted to be Elwood P. Dowd. They looked at me and said "ummm ... that's nice, dear, but I think you have to be a doctor or a lawyer first." I said "Really?' and they said "Yes." and I said "Really, really?" and they said "Yes!" and I said "Really, really, REALLY?" and they said "No, we're lying to you. Go be whatever you want to be to ruin your life and stop bugging us!"

So with their support I went to the University of Michigan and stayed there until the University came to me, in 1982, with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. I said "Really?' and they said "Yes." and I said "Really, really?" and they said "Yes!" and I said "Really, really, REALLY?" and they said "No, we're lying to you. Go do whatever you want to do to ruin your life and stop bugging us (oh...and don't forget that generous donation)!"

While at Michigan I began writing and illustrating stories. It was more for therapy than for art and, although I still have them, the stories remain locked away where they can do no harm to anyone.

In 1984 I came to California to work at Stanford University and something wonderful happened ... my artwork matured and I found a voice that didn't need to be hidden under stacks of files and legal pads.

It wasn't until I decided to stay home with the kids and jettison the nanny that I seriously began writing and illustrating books with the intent of being published. It hasn't been easy ... but it has been fun. Every passing year I see the world differently, every year I learn more, every year I get closer to my goal of hearing a publisher say "We want your book!".

Nancy Barnett	North/Central	April 2003
Carol Benioff	East Bay	May 2003
Cindy Ann Ganaden	South San Francisco	June2003
Deborah Nourse Lattimore	North/Central	July 2003
Sara Iravani Kahn	South San Francisco	September 2003
Elisa Kleven	North/Central	October 2003
Jan Adkins	North/Central	November 2003
Joy Allen	North/Central	December 2003
Yuyi Morales	East Bay	January 2004
Liz Cunningham	East Bay	February 2004
Brooke Scudder	South San Francisco	March 2004
Paula Pertile	South San Francisco	April 2004
Lauren Francis	South San Francisco	May 2004
Mike Maystead	South San Francisco	July 2004
Kris Aro McLeod	North/Central	August 2004

Artist of the month featured here. See and be seen! Members Share illustrations in the SCBWI NorCa online gallery. We're interested in showcasing our members' artwork, both published and unpublished. To submit artwork to be considerd for this page please e-mail your regional advisor.