Illustrator – Author – RMCAD Illustration Instructor
RMC-SCBWI Mentor & Illustrator Coordinator

Bio: Karen “Kaz” Windness is a published writer-illustrator creating sweet, subversive stories with one-of-a-kind characters for kids of all ages.

She studied illustration at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) where she was a valedictorian graduate in 2002.

A proud SCBWI member for over sixteen years, Kaz gives back as the Rocky Mountain Chapter Illustrator Coordinator (2009-present). She is passionate about helping others succeed and believes education is key. She teaches illustration at her alma mater and is an RMC-SCBWI illustrator mentor and regular speaker at RMC-SCBWI events.

Kaz is obsessed with dogs (especially Boston terriers and pugs), and all things ghost, alien, psychic & witchy-woo-woo. She’s a terrific cook and a terrible athlete (don’t let the Zumba booty shaking fool you) and never met a taco she didn’t love.

Representation: Timothy Travaglini, Transatlantic Agency 

Published Books: Mother Goth Rhymes (Hermes Press, 2019), Dorothy’s Derby Chronicles: Rise of the Undead Redhead (MG novel, Sourcebooks, June 2014) and The Woe of Jade Doe (August 2015), Hooray for Boys and Girls (Westwood Press 2006), There’s a Hippopotamus in My Bed (Windowbox Press 2013)

Education: Valedictorian BFA Graduate, Illustration–Children’s Book Focus
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver, Colorado: August 2002

Magazine & Newsletter Publications: RMCAD EDU blog (2018), SCBWI Kite Tails Newsletter (2016, 2017), RMC-SCBWI Newsletter (2016, 2017, 2018)

Exhibitions:

  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, LA, February 2019
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, NYC, February 2019
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, LA, August 2018
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, NYC, February 2018
  • RMC-SCBWI, calendar exhibition featuring contest winning images, January 2018
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, LA, August 2017
  • RMC-SCBWI, calendar exhibition featuring contest winning images, January 2017
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, LA, August 2016
  • RMC-SCBWI, calendar exhibition featuring contest winning images, January 2016
  • SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase, LA, August 2015
  • RMC-SCBWI, calendar exhibition featuring contest winning images, January 2014
  • Horse Expo Art Market, Denver Merchandise Mart, March 2013
  • RMC-SCBWI, calendar exhibition featuring contest winning images, January 2013
  • RMC-SCBWI Fall Conference exhibition, September 2012
  • RMC-SCBWI Fall Conference exhibition, September 2011
  • RMC-SCBWI Featured Illustrator, First Place Illustration Contest Winner, June 2011
  • RMC-SCBWI Fall Conference exhibition, September 2010
  • Studio 13 Gallery at Nine10Arts, Denver, Gone to the Dogs Exhibition, October-November 2009
  • Ink Lounge Gallery, Denver, Colorado Alliance of Illustrators Annual Show, May 2, 2008
  • BARK! Doggy Daycare Art Exhibition, May 2008 – August 2010
  • Craft and Hobby Association Expo, February 10-13th, 2008
  • Open Studios at Nine10Arts, November 30th, December 1st-2nd, 2007
  • Mouthfuls Pet Boutique, Denver, November 2007 – present
  • The Uncommon Gallery at Uncommon Scents, Denver, September-December 2007
  • Pickets Display Window/Golden Fine Arts Festival, August 2007
  • InsideOut07 at Nine10Arts, July-August 2007
  • Colorado Alliance of Illustrators Exhibition, May 2007
  • Nine10Arts Featured Artist, Show: “Who Let the Dogs Out – Of the Closet”, May 2007
  • Studio 6 Coffee House, April 2007
  • Holiday Art Market at Nine10Arts, December 2006
  • Reed Art & Photo Gallery, Denver, Colorado: April-May 2006
  • Lokken Gallery, Colorado: April-May 2006
  • Hands2Hearts Gallery, Denver, Colorado: May 2005
  • The Nook, Denver, Colorado: April 2005
  • Sunflower Art Gallery, Denver, Colorado: April 2005 – January 2008

Affiliations:

Personal:

Kaz resides in Colorado with her writer-husband, Steve, sons Finley and Max, and fur-child, Remy.