Laurie Quail Keller will share her illustrations at the Muskegon Museum of Art March 7-May 26.

The illustrations featured in the exhibition can be found in her fan-favorite books: Arnie the Doughnut, Grandpa Gazillion’s Number Yard, Do Unto Otters, The Scrambled States of America and more.

As a child, Laurie Keller loved drawing and writing but didn’t realize then that she could grow up to become an author or illustrator. Keller considered majoring in education or dance in college after graduating from Mona Shores High School, but enrolled at Kendall College of Art and Design after she became inspired by a senior art exhibit she saw there. Upon graduation, she took a job as an illustrator with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Mo.

She wrote her first story, The Scrambled States of America, while she was in Kansas City and brought it to New York City to try to find an interested publisher. She moved to New York and, shortly after, received a call from Christy Ottaviano at Henry Holt and Company telling her they wanted to publish her book. Ottaviano and Keller hit it off right away and have continued to work together on all of the artist’s books. Keller loved living in New York City, but has moved back to her beloved “Mitten State” where she now lives, writes and illustrates at her lakeshore cottage in North Muskegon.

The exhibition is underwritten by the Folkert Family Foundation, with additional support from the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Art Ally for Contemporary Alcoa Foundation, the Muskegon Public Schools Education Fund and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

More information on Keller and her works can be found at www.lauriekeller.com.