Mary Freelove is a Chicago based illustrator. She grew up in Kansas, and spent much of her childhood at the public library with stacks of books or running around outside with friends. She takes a lot of inspiration for her work from both her favorite children's books and happy memories of time spent outside.
Mary moved to Chicago where she attended Columbia College Chicago and graduated with a BFA in Illustration. Her work is done with pen and ink on Bristol board, then colored digitally. She loves drawing plants, animals (especially dogs), cozy settings, and people of all shapes and sizes. Mary didn't see many characters in books who looked like her when she was little, and she'd like to change that; for herself and others who felt left out as a kid. She hopes that her art brings people warmth and happiness. 
When she's not drawing, Mary loves baking, knitting, taking care of her plants, and reading everything from cookbooks to comics.