Chris Van Dusen (illustrator)
Chris Van Dusen | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 17, 1960 |
| Education | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth |
| Occupations | Illustrator, writer |
| Writing career | |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Website | chrisvandusen |
Chris Van Dusen (born March 17, 1960) is an American illustrator and author of picture books.[1] He has written picture books including If I Built a Car (2005) and The Circus Ship (2009), and has illustrated books including the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Chris Van Dusen was born in Portland, Maine.[3] As a child he frequently drew pictures with his brothers.[3] He loved the rhythm of Dr. Seuss's books and the visual detail of Robert McCloskey's illustrations, and has said McCloskey's 1952 book One Morning in Maine is his favorite book.[3][4] Other inspirations include Barbara Cooney and E. B. White.[4]
In 1982, Van Dusen graduated with a bachelor's degree in fine art from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.[3] Following his graduation, he worked as a waiter before getting a part-time job in Lowell, Massachusetts, at a magazine for teenagers, where he began to publish his cartoons and illustrations.[3] IN 1985 he moved to Camden, Maine.[5]
Career
[edit]Cartoons and illustrations
[edit]Van Dusen worked as a freelance illustrator for 10 years, publishing much of his work in children's magazines such as Nickelodeon, FamilyFun, and Disney Adventures.[3] He created a poster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and illustrated several L.L.Bean catalog covers. He created the lobster on the Maine state license plate.[6] In about 1991 he created illustrations for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, including a sea otter T-shirt that Taylor Swift wore in 2025, which led to the shirt to being reissued.[7][8]
Children's books
[edit]In 2000, he published his first picture book, Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee.[3] As of 2025 he is the author-illustrator of 12 books, including If I Built a Car (2005) and The Circus Ship (2009). In 2015, he published his first non-rhyming story, Hattie and Hudson.[9] He has illustrated an additional 18 books by other writers, including the Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo.[8]
Van Dusen says his illustrations are painted in gouache on an illustration board.[1] He enjoys seeing children's reactions to his books, and frequently visits schools around New England.[2] In 2026, Van Dusen's work was displayed at the Maine Maritime Museum in an exhibition called "Upon That Isle in Maine: The Story & Works of Chris Van Dusen".[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Van Dusen and his wife Lori have two adult sons. The couple lives in coastal town in Maine and have a yellow lab named Opal.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Interviews — Art of the Picture Book". Art of the Picture Book. Archived from the original on 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- 1 2 "Children's author brings love for books to Livermore Elementary". Livermore Falls Advertiser. 2013-03-27. pp. A3. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bio | Chris Van Dusen". www.chrisvandusen.com. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- 1 2 Dusen, Chris Van (2025-11-26). "Chris Van Dusen Likes the Kid Classics, Too". Midcoast Villager. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "The big, little world of Chris Van Dusen | PenBay Pilot". www.penbaypilot.com. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "FAQs | Chris Van Dusen". www.chrisvandusen.com. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Blackmore, As told to Willy (2025-11-17). "Chris Van Dusen Was Surprised as Anyone When Taylor Swift Wore His T-Shirt". Midcoast Villager. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- 1 2 "If Chris Van Dusen knew his T-shirt would be worn by Taylor Swift, he probably would have kept it". Kennebec Journal. 2025-12-03. pp. A6. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Author Q&A: Children's book illustrator Chris Van Dusen talks rhyme, writing and Maine as inspiration - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram". The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. 2015-02-01. Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Chris Van Dusen's children's books come to life in Maine Maritime exhibit". Portland Press Herald. 2025-02-23. pp. E1. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "Events calendar Archives". Lewiston Sun Journal. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
