Ami Blackshear - Ami graduated in 1978 from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. She began her career as an illustrator for several leading midwest advertising agencies before marrying the multi-talented artist, Thomas Blackshear in 1986. Ami began her freelance career illustrating children's books. Her delicate watercolor illustrations appear in Diamonds and Toads and A Child's Book of Angels. Her work has been published by Bantam Books, Chariot Books, Current, Inc., DaySpring, MacMillan-McGraw-Hill and many other publishers. Ami Blackshear's Rainbow Babies were inspired by her beautiful watercolor illustrations. They reflect Ami's faith in God and love for babies and nature. The idea of rainbow-colored, butterfly-winged babies in a beautiful garden came to her while visiting the Garden of the Gods in Manitou Springs, Colorado. She feels the babies represent a unity and purity of spirit alive in the souls of all children.
