Pat Banks

Illustrator

I was excited to partner again with Linda Pack on this, our third, Appalachian book. To research “The Plants of Appalachia” I referenced field guides, special collections and hundreds of images. But I think what really brought the images to life, was that I could literally walk out my backdoor and see the plants highlighted in the manuscript. Many of the trees, oak, persimmon, maple, cedar, tulip poplar and more are right in our yard, field, and woods. Our woods are connected to the Kentucky River riparian corridor which is rich in diverse vegetation, and critters. We have been visited by black bears, foxes, raccoons, sandhill cranes, cardinals, finches and more. These visitors were inspirational for the images in this book. I wanted to portray the beauty, magic and mystery found in the company of these plants and animals. The animals, birds, and other critters that I paired with the plants were intentional. I wanted them to be familiar, or somehow approachable to the kids.  I want the kids to feel connected and care about this place, this world, and explore and discover this magical place.

Pat is a Signature Member of the Kentucky Watercolor Society, Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen member, a Kentucky Arts Council Roster Artist, and a Kentucky Arts Council, Craft Marketing program participant, and teacher, she is a founding member of the Richmond community galleries, Gallery on main, Richmond, Gallery at Arcadian Cove, Senior Living, Richmond, Gallery at The Madison County Library, Richmond, and director of the 501(c)3, Kentucky Riverkeeper.