The Illustrator

Stormy Mochal, Illustrator of The Juggler

Living and working in Dubuque, Iowa, Stormy continues to be inspired by the ever changing marvel of Iowa’s country.  Having been an Iowan all her life it only seems natural that each of her images contains a piece of country; farmhouses, starry-laden skies, birds.

Art is her release from a world full of serious matters.  It is her connection to the inner child, a playful, not-so serious self.  The images are simple; stars, flowers, people.  Things that make her feel happy–bright colors, coloring book-like outlines, scribbles and birds.  Free flow writing is often present in her work.  The writing is thought turned to form, only to be seen, not meant to be read.

Her ideas come from all the life that surrounds her, although her imagination tries to take most of the credit. 

Stormy received her degree in painting and art history from Loras College in Dubuque in 1999.  She has taught art classes at NICC Community College and to children and teens in her home studio.  She has held numerous exhibits and attended many art fairs around the tri-state area, taking home several people’s choice awards.  The Juggler, published by Ice Cube Press of North Liberty, Iowa, is her first children’s book. 

Stormy’s mission is to help fellow artists blossom and sustain themselves.  She carries this out by co-owning Outside the Lines Art Gallery in Dubuque, selling the work of both local and regional artists, including her own.  The gallery has been in business since 2003 and this year facilitated a new arts project called the Great Draw:  A Street Art Competition which created a scholarship fund for a local high school student.

She lives in Dubuque with her husband Tony, who is also an artist and their two cats, one who wishes she had thumbs so she could be an artist too.