With Ospreys in the Outfield coming soon, we’d like to introduce you to May Jernigan, the book’s illustrator:
May is originally from St. Louis, MO where her parents are both professional musicians with the St. Louis Symphony. She developed a love for music from an early age, but also had a special place in her heart for art. She loved to draw as a child, and animals were always a favorite subject. As she grew older, May was torn between her passion for music and art. May’s parents encouraged her to pursue a career in art, knowing the difficult road of a professional musician and wanting to be supportive of their child.
May went on to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There she discovered a course she thoroughly enjoyed and took time and time again, Science Illustration. The class used multiple mediums including watercolor and pencil. Another reason May loved the course was it being held at the Field Museum of Natural History where May ended up 3-4 days per week. She eventually interned for the class and became very close with her professor, Peggy McNamara. May now considers Peggy to be her mentor. May graduated from SAIC with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing. From there, May moved to California where she attended CSU-Monterrey Bay earning a Certificate in Science Illustration.
