Probably all of us can pinpoint moments in our lives which caused an abrupt change of direction, leading us on a distinct future course. My first high school art class was such a moment. From the minute I began to draw my first pencil profile of a classmate, I was hooked on the limitless possibilities of communicating through art. It was also in that class that I was told I could never be a professional artist. Well, being the stubborn German I am, I immediately defied my teacher’s proclamation and determined to pursue what led to an art education degree from The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, my husband, Rick, and I opened our illustration studio, Ampersand, and began our lives as professional artists. We continue to operate Ampersand from the log home/studio we built in the woods 15 miles from Madison. – RN

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