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One of my spreads from ONE THURSDAY AFTERNOON was accepted into the Society of Illustrators of New York 64th Annual Exhibition.
(I'm on the left. Rachel Orr, my agent, is on the right.) |
FUN BIO
My name is Barbara Willcox DiLorenzo, and I LOVE art.
When I was a little kid, I wasn't very good at drawing. But since I loved horses, I made up my mind that I needed to learn how to draw them. I practiced drawing from my piles of horse books. I also asked people to help me. I remember a friend in 3rd grade, Caroline, who showed me how to draw more realistic horse legs. It was a simple trick, but I folded it into my horse-drawing-toolbox. Bit by bit, my horse drawings became more confident. After awhile, people called me an artist. But the only thing I knew how to draw was a horse!
With time I expanded my range of drawing subject matter, learning from books and good art teachers. I took classes outside of school, and enjoyed developing skills with different mediums. I am grateful that I had a family that supported me.
Over the years I've been a teaching artist, a children's book author and illustrator, and a graphic designer. I love working with traditional and digital mediums to tell stories. I also love people in creative communities–the open-mindedness and acceptance of unique people feels so good to me. I'm also a wife and a mom, with two smart and funny children, five chickens, two mischievous cats, and a puppy that likes to shred paper.
SERIOUS BIO
Barbara DiLorenzo earned a B.F.A. in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and an M.A. in illustration from Falmouth University (U.K.). She also studied painting with Marybeth McKenzie at the Arts Students League of New York.
Barbara is the author-illustrator of ONE THURSDAY AFTERNOON (Flyaway Books), a 2022 Spirituality & Practice Best Book, QUINCY: The Chameleon Who Couldn't Blend In (Little Bee), a 2018 Crystal Kite Award finalist, and RENATO AND THE LION (Viking/Penguin Random House), a 2017 Junior Library Guild Selection.
Barbara has taught at the Arts Council of Princeton, the Michener Art Museum, and the New York Institute of Art + Design. She also leads online drawing programs for the Princeton University Art Museum several times yearly.
In addition, Barbara has earned signature membership with the New England Watercolor Society. She is also a member of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and a lifetime member of the Art Students League of New York. Recently, Barbara earned her Adobe Visual Artist certification in Photoshop and Illustrator.
In addition to making books and murals and teaching art to all ages, Barbara loves participating in community events. She works with children whose families face homelessness, sharing her love of art with students once a week.
Barbara lives with her family in central New Jersey. Rachel Orr of the Prospect Agency represents her.
Visit her portfolio at www.barbaradilorenzo.com.
RENATO AND THE LION was listed in the 2018 list of Best Children's Books of the Year for Bank Street! (Ages 5-9). This is from their website: "In choosing books for the annual list, committee members consider literary quality and excellence of presentation as well as the potential emotional impact of the books on young readers. Other criteria include credibility of characterization and plot, authenticity of time and place, age suitability, positive treatment of ethnic and religious differences, and the absence of stereotypes."
RENATO AND THE LION was also listed as a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2018 by the Children's Book Council.
RENATO AND THE LION was a Fall 2017 Junior Library Guild selection.
RENATO AND THE LION was a finalist in the 2018 - 2019 Keystone to Reading
Elementary Book Award
List for Intermediate Grades 3 - 6.
QUINCY: The Chameleon Who Couldn't Blend In was an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist.
My illustration for "Wonder" won the Member's Choice Award during the 2018 Annual Conference of the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) New Jersey chapter.
NPR featured images of Renato and the Lion on their social media channels on June 29, 2017.
Tablet Magazine (1.3 million visitors/month) reviewed online, calling Renato ‘ravishing’ ‘entrancing’! “What makes stories beautiful and exciting? Because without a doubt, Renato and the Lion is both. Don’t miss it.”
★“This love letter to Florence should spur diverse conversations, from art to history to the plight of refugees.”—Booklist, starred review
“Driven by the notion of safeguarding art during military conflict, this debut portrays a wartime reality that is not commonly addressed. A special book and additional purchase that is best-shared one-on-one.”—School Library Journal
“DiLorenzo's often lovely watercolors are best when capturing nature. The endpapers' sun-washed Florence and Renato's dream-ride over the moonlit Ponte Vecchio are lovely...DiLorenzo's careful research yields a touching tale about art's ability to deeply affect both adults and children.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Barbara DiLorenzo’s tale was inspired by a true story and shows how a child’s connection to art lasts a lifetime.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“DiLorenzo lavishes attention on Florence’s architectural treasures, and her buildings glow with warmth…DiLorenzo’s story is simultaneously a historical account of a family’s emigration and a dream story about the power of great art.”—Publishers Weekly
“Pure eye candy…take a watercolor-y journey to Florence in this gorgeous debut book from Barbara DiLorenzo. A moving story about a little boy in Italy on the cusp of World War II and his plan to save his most beloved lion statue. When his family is forced to flee to New York, he leaves without knowing the fate of the lion. You’ll have to read it to find out if the lion survived the war.”—Red Tricycle
“With ravishing watercolor illustrations, it combines history and magical realism in a way that will entice the youngest readers…The story stands on its own as a wondrous story of family, love and escape… but it’s even better when used as a jumping-off point for a conversation about history and current events. The parallels to many of our own families’ immigration stories—and to the dangers facing today’s refugees—are hard to miss. What makes stories beautiful and exciting? Because without a doubt, Renato and the Lion is both. Don’t miss it.”—Tablet Magazine
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 Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles - Member since 2022
I am now an artist member of this society, after receiving my first acceptance in 2021 with a spread from One Thursday Afternoon. I had been a member of the Society of Illustrators of New York, but the dues were too much for me to afford. So I am thrilled to have SILA as my illustration home.
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - Member since 2008 | PAL member since 2016
I am thrilled to be a Published And Listed (PAL) member of SCBWI after a long, long journey. My mother brought me to my first SCBWI conference while I was in high school, and I had the chance to meet Jane Yolen for the first time. She signed my sketchbook, and inspired me that with enough hard work, I too, could make books. Years later, I crossed paths with Jane Yolen at another SCBWI conference, and asked her to sign my copy of Owl Moon. She again wrote beautiful, inspiring words–which stayed with me through a rather lengthy slog of rejections. When I signed my first book with Viking in 2014, I sent her a note, and she replied with congratulations. SCBWI offers so much more than information. It is a community of mentors that I could not do without.
 Children's Book Illustrator's Group - Member since 2012 | Co-President since 2013
"CBIG, the Children’s Book Illustrators Group, is a New York City-based group of members are illustrators and author-illustrators who create high-quality work for children’s publishing and media. Anyone with a demonstrated interest in children’s book illustration may become a member, whether published or not."–From the web site: www.cbig-nyc.com
 New England Watercolor Society | Signature member since 2014
Signature membership requires acceptance into four New England Watercolor Society sponsored shows within ten years. My four accepted paintings were: "The Clammer" in the 2009 Regional Show, "The Parade" in the 2012 National Open Show, "Girl on the Rocks" in the 2013 Regional Show,and "Nonna" in the 2014 National Open Show. John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), was an honorary member of this society.  As his work has influenced both my fine art painting and my illustration career, it is so exciting to have this thin thread of a connection with him.
| Member since 2013
Currently I teach a variety of classes at the Arts Council of Princeton. I usually teach seasonal classes for adults and kids, from watercolor and drawing, to home school studies and Saturday Young Artists programs. I also teach weekly classes off-site at various schools and nursing homes. In 2016 I started leading Arts Exchange, our weekly program for youth (ages 5-18) whose families face homelessness. We partner with from HomeFront of Trenton, in a program that is in its 34th year. We provide a free, hot dinner with delicious food generously donated from Terra Momo and at cost from Olives, both in downtown Princeton, NJ. Princeton University's McCarter Theater partners with Arts Exchange to give theatrical experience to the kids every other week during the school year. This program is my favorite teaching experience of the week.
| Member since 2011
"NEVER A DAY WITHOUT A LINE"
After studying with Marybeth McKenzie from 2010-2011 as a full-time student, and ten years of membership dues, I'm thrilled to have earned lifetime membership. The Art Students League was home to Georgia O'Keefe for many years. I used to love imagine that perhaps I was washing my brushes in the same classroom sink that she might have used.
 Rhode Island School of Design - Graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration
My four years at RISD was an incredible experience. I loved my focus on books - from my illustration classes to book binding. I also loved learning skills in melting metal to make jewelry, or etching plates to use in printmaking. Upon graduation, I worked in a digital studio with other RISD alumni, continuing the process of learning new skills while keeping content fresh.
 Falmouth University - Graduated with a Master of Arts in Illustration (with Merit)
Two decades after getting my first degree, I now have an MA in Illustration, which will help me to teach at the undergraduate level. My final project for my MA focused on creative collaboration, comparing human vs. AI partnerships. My writing partner, Rob Richardson, was integral to this project. I'm sad that the program has ended (December 2023), but I'm looking forward to new adventures in teaching and bookmaking.
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