Author, illustrator, and educator, Richard Hilliard was born in rural Virginia and spent his youth dreaming of going to New York City to study art. After graduating from from Pratt Institute, he began a 20-year career in the Big Apple, where he worked for ad agencies, exhibit design firms, and publishing. He is currently an Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration at James Madison University, and a member of the New York Society of Illustrators.