NEWS: Eric and the family are planning a celebration of Liz's life in later October. If you'd like to make a donation in Liz's name please consider either the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society or The The Liz Conrad SCBWI Southern Breeze Memorial Scholarship Fund.
From the Medina, Ohio Newspaper:
Elizabeth “Liz” Brooker Conrad of Suwanee, Georgia, lost her courageous battle with cancer Wednesday, August 26, 2009. She was 55 years old.
Liz received her BFA in graphic design from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in 1976. From there, she took the long and winding road through graphic design, advertising and editorial illustration that finally landed her on the doorstep of children’s publishing. She has illustrated over 20 board and novelty books. Her books were filled with happiness and reflected her special spirit and joy of life.
She was an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Picture Book Artists Association. She is survived by her devoted husband, Eric (Rick) Conrad; loving daughters Caitlin and Lauren, sister Hallie and parents, Marge and Jim Brooker of Medina, Ohio.
She leaves behind a multitude of friends, both adult and children, who loved her for her kindness, generosity, joy of life and wonderful sense of humor. There will be a celebration of her life in Suwanee, Georgia, at a later date.
She leaves behind Eric, Caitlin and Lauren, her parents Marge and Jim Brooker and her sister Hallie Brooker.
Liz on Liz:
Liz has been playing with paint, pencils, paper and scissors since she was old enough not to run with the scissors. From John Gnagy Learn-To-Draw sets at six, to creating bulletin boards for her mother’s classroom as a teen, art has long been her avocation as well as vocation.
What to study in college was never a question. Liz received her BFA in Graphic Design from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. From there, she took the long and winding road through graphic design, advertising, editorial illustration, and motherhood that finally landed her happily on the doorstep of children’s publishing. In a style she affectionately refers to as “cut-paper-mixed-media,” Liz has illustrated over 20 picture, board and novelty books for such clients as Grosset & Dunlap, Klutz, Little Simon, Marshall Cavendish, Price Stern Sloan, Piggy Toes Press, Rising Moon, Sterling and Zonderkidz.
As an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Picture Book Artists Association, Liz is further pursuing her love of children’s books by writing and illustrating her own picture books. Watch (or listen for the whoops of joy!) for news on this site when her books find a publishing home!
Originally from the Midwest, Liz now calls the sunny South her home. She currently lives in the Atlanta area where she shares a somewhat empty nest with her husband, 2 nutty Springer Spaniels, and a crazy cat-dog named Max…all who provide her with an endless supply of laughter and inspiration.