Artists

Brian Hoeppner

A music maker, storyteller, gardener, wood crafter, and grandfather, Brian is a deep well of creativity. Nya Loves is a series of poems that Brian wrote for his granddaughter Nya, adopted from Ghana. Nya Loves takes place in Brian and his wife, Martha's garden in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Brian can often be found watching the daffodils open, playing his handcrafted mandola, or exploring local sites with Martha on his recumbent trike.

Angela Meijer

An abstract painter (and now illustrator) read Brian's poems while visiting Martha and Brian. She timidly asked if she could try illustrating Nya Mouse. She asked Brian what he envisioned Nya to look like and was most inspired by Nya Mouse's incredible tail. Inspired by the Hoeppner garden and all the creatures visiting, Angela began to paint Nya every season with her garden friends. Angela is now illustrating the second book in the series.

Susan Campbell

For 32 years, Susan had the privilege of teaching art in the public schools of Wisconsin. In between, she took a few years off and majored in Drawing and Painting at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Campbell uses charcoal, conté, and acrylics on both paper and canvas. Most of her subjects are the animals, people, and situations she experiences in her life-real or otherwise. Featuring 52 Original Paintings, TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS celebrates the life of Campbell’s local community serving both as a memorial and a reminder to all to cherish life.

Elina Meijer

Terry the Tiger and the Search for the Perfect Gift is a book in rhyme by Elina Meijer. It's close to Christmas, and Terry The Tiger has no idea what gifts to get for her family. Elina Meijer (author and illustrator) found herself in this very situation when she was ten years old and didn't have the money to buy Christmas presents for her family. This story became their gift. She also gave a copy of her book to Brian and Martha Hoeppner, who read it to their grandson. Elina is 15 and shares a birthday with her twin sister and Sinterklaas (The Dutch Santa). Maybe her birthday accounts for her love of giving gifts