Inspire Press to Release “The Black Sheep” Children’s Picture Book Illustrated by Famed Carmel, California Artist, Mary FitzGerald Beach

Inspire Press, Inc., announced today the upcoming Spring 2005 release of their latest children’s picture book, “The Black Sheep”, illustrated by well-known Carmel, California artist Mary FitzGerald Beach, with story by Stephan J. Harper, author of “One Christmas Story.”

Los Gatos, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2005

Mary FitzGerald Beach has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a painter and graphic artist over the past five decades. Ms. Beach was born in Southern California and has resided on the Monterey Peninsula since 1968. She studied with Eliot O'Hara while in high school and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado. Ms. Beach also studied with Millard Sheets and Rex Brandt in Southern California. Mary grew up in a family of artists and writers and had a rare "Three Generation Exhibit" in San Francisco with her mother and her three children. Her art affiliations include the Pasadena Society of Artists, the Women Painters of the West, the National Watercolor Society and the Western Serigraph Institute. Ms. Beach has been an exhibiting Carmel Art Association member since 1969 and has served on their board of directors. Her paintings and graphics are in numerous private collections across America and in Japan, China, Ireland, England and France. “The Black Sheep” is Mary Beach's first picture book for children.

“The Black Sheep” is the story of a black lamb born to a flock of white sheep. When The Old Ram tells him about a mythical herd of black sheep beyond The Great Forest, the quest begins. Ms. Beach’s paintings for the picture book were rendered in watercolor, acrylic and colored pen and pencil on hand-printed papers.

“We have several of Mary’s paintings in our home, including two commissioned pieces” says Stephan J. Harper, the author of “The Black Sheep” and President of Inspire Press, Inc. “I thought her art style would be perfect for my next children’s book. The result is an amazing picture storybook that will delight and inspire children - and adults - for generations to come.”

Publication and launch date for “The Black Sheep” (ISBN 0974180017; SRP $16.95) is April 28, 2005. The book will be available in stores nationwide or by calling Inspire Press at (866)308-2003.

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