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My parents told me they knew I would be an artist when I was 5 and I drew a nude picture of my dad. (What can I say? It was the 70s and they were hippies!) My grandmother had the picture made into an ashtray. I've been told she liked putting out her cigarettes in it. A lot.

Still, I wanted more out of life than making ashtrays for my granny, so when I was old enough I went to college to study graphic design and illustration. My plan was to illustrate children's books. But I took a little detour, because when I finally got out of school, I got a job as an artist and designer at my hometown newspaper.

I've been an editorial artist for over 15 years now, working at five different newspapers. Currently, I am a features page designer and artist at the San Antonio Express-News. But I still want to pursue my original plan - children's books! I guess "dreams never die".

I'm adding freelancing to my already jam-packed life of newspapering and mothering (there are 3 little Strouds ... oh, and a Stroud husband - does that make 4 who need mothering? Just kidding, honey.)

My parents told me they knew I would be an artist when I was 5 and I drew a nude picture of my dad. (What can I say? It was the 70s and they were hippies!) My grandmother had the picture made into an ashtray. I've been told she liked putting out her cigarettes in it. A lot. Still, I wanted more out of life than making ashtrays for my granny, so when I was old enough I went to college to study g... More