MaryAnn Faubion Kohl, award-winning author, publisher, literary agent, and educational consultant, has devoted her professional life to children’s art and creativity. Her philosophy, “It’s the process, not the product,” guides her writing as she provides open-ended art activities for children of all ages. MaryAnn’s books focus on the child’s exploration and experience of art, not the final product. She launched Bright Ring Publishing, Inc. in 1985 with her first book, Scribble Cookies (new edition Scribble Art), now celebrating its 28th Anniversary.

MaryAnn has written eight books for Bright Ring Publishing, Inc. on topics of art for children, their parents, teachers, and care providers, as well as fifteen titles for Gryphon House, Inc. She presents internationally to educators, librarians, parenting experts, children, and parents on topics supporting creative art experiences for children. Her workshops explore teaching art to children and using art as a tool to promote children’s self-esteem, teaching literacy through art, and fostering creativity in children. She has appeared on many television shows, including Home Matters on the Discovery Channel; Take Part! (Canadian children’s television) as the ‘Mudworks lady’; and was a featured guest on 1, 2, 3 Grow! (Health Network). Ms. Kohl was also a consultant for a children’s activity television show produced by the Jim Henson Company (Odyssey Network), and she works with SUNY-Albany as one of their expert guests for numerous educational video conferences. She also has been a program consultant for children’s television productions, Blues Clues and Little Einsteins.

MaryAnn enjoys being a contributor for numerous magazines including Family Fun, Parenting, Cricket, Scholastic, Early Childhood News, and Daycaring.

MaryAnn began her career as an elementary school teacher, and she continues to guest teach at various universities and community colleges. In her free time, MaryAnn enjoys skiing, gardening, walking and play with her dog, spending time with her family, and writing essays on memorable childhood experiences. MaryAnn and her husband, Michael, reside in Bellingham, Washington at the foot of a steaming volcano.

LISTEN IN to MaryAnn’s message about process art HERE! (Scroll down to MaryAnn Kohl and click on her name)

You can find out more on MaryAnn’s website, www.brightring.com.

Facebook: maryann.kohl
Twitter: maryann_kohl
Blog: maryannfkohl.typepad.com/blog/

MaryAnn sends out a free monthly newsletter packed with art ideas and always a random drawing for a free art book. Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/kwZQL

**MaryAnn is donating a book for our next giveaway! “Mudworks: Bilingual Edition” Check back on Wednesday, Feb. 6th to enter!

For more on open-ended creative art, visit the Hatch Early Childhood Blog.