Originally from a Montana farm, Penny is one of nine children. She began drawing before age four. Her mom would cut used envelopes for her to draw on. Her dad gave her the big, soft-lead, square carpenter’s pencils to use. When in high school, she got an oil painting set for Christmas and fell in love with painting. Selling her two cows (4-H projects) put her through her first year of university.
She graduated Seattle University with a Fine Art degree. Besides working at a print shop, department store displays, small graphic art projects, drawing cow spots for registration forms, she had a small business of house design and architectural drafting for building contractors for 25 years. She also painted (acrylic on canvas) exhibiting in art shows and galleries for 20 years in Olympia Washington and Palm Springs.
“I began writing seriously several years ago. Interested in graphic novels after reading several, I took four quarters at Santa Monica College on the concept and techniques graphic novels and sequential art. This is now my focus.”
Published by Mud Flat Press:
Squawk! A Story In Fowl Language
“Enchanting! The more I read Squawk! the more I loved the story – and what sweet illustrations! I can’t wait to read it to our grandchild.” – Gabi Clayton
Read Art and Story, an artist/author statement by Penelope Merrell (PDF format)