The Creators:

The Heart of the Illumination Arts Brand

“ The quality and consistency of Illumination Arts’ catalog are a direct result of its collaborations with talented creators. Illumination Arts Publishing likes to feature monthly dedicated profiles to highlight these key individuals and their contributions. “

Jody Bergsma: A Visual Architect of Whimsy

Jody Bergsma is an internationally acclaimed artist whose unique style is central to the Illumination Arts brand. The new website can use her compelling personal story to create an emotional connection with visitors. Bergsma, who lives in Bellingham, Washington, developed her diverse artistic style over decades of painting. Her earliest works were children's illustrations that she sold at art shows to help pay for her education. Her self-taught watercolor technique is influenced by her engineering degree, which is reflected in her compositions that blend mathematical and geometric elements with her imaginative visions. Her artistic journey began as a child when her mother suggested she draw her nightmares, a process through which she discovered that "monsters drawn with pink and green crayon were not so scary". This personal history of transforming fear into whimsical art is a powerful narrative that aligns perfectly with the brand's mission. Bergsma has illustrated numerous Illumination Arts books, including  

Sky Castle, Dreambirds, and Wizard.  

Gerald Purnell: The Award-Winning Illustrator

Gerald Purnell is an award-winning artist and a key illustrator for Illumination Arts. His work on prominent titles reinforces the publisher's commitment to creating books with meaningful social and spiritual messages. Purnell illustrated A Home Run for Bunny, the true story about confronting racial prejudice. He also provided the artwork for  

God's Promise, a story praised for its "beautiful pictures" and gentle spiritual message. Purnell maintains his own art website, "Purnell The Painter," which features original artwork and provides a direct link between his personal creative vision and his work for the publishing house.  

Other Notable Contributors

• Sandra Hanken: The author of Sky Castle, Hanken's background as a family social worker and elementary school teacher directly informs her work. This personal and professional history adds a layer of authority to her message of self-belief and the power of dreams.  

• Sandy Kleven: The author of The Right Touch and Talk About Touch, Kleven is a licensed clinical social worker with a history as a family clinician, writer, and filmmaker. Her expertise in child abuse prevention makes her a trusted voice in the genre and adds significant credibility to the company's social-emotional learning category.  

• David Danioth: An illustrator who has contributed to two important titles, A Mother’s Promise and The Tree. His "stunningly-illustrated" work is described as an "urgent call to preserve our fragile environment". Danioth is also a faculty member at the Art Institute of Seattle, which highlights the caliber of artists with whom Illumination Arts collaborates.