About the Author
Denise Rowe, a lifelong lover of the arts, first began to apply her pen to creative writing in the early 90’s as she was simultaneously learning the power of symbolism. Through the discovery of metaphor, a whole “library of images” opened up for her and became a powerful therapeutic tool for her to utilize in her work with inner healing. Learning to “paint” word pictures that combine the playfulness and simplicity of child-likeness gave her a way of reaching the vulnerable places of the heart with healing imagery.
The theme of Denise’s writing centers on inspiring people to become who they were meant to be, while addressing those things that interfere – like shame, grief, fear, and abuse. Her first publication, Dragonfly Denny: The Pursuit of Destiny, is an allegory for all ages, about dreams, destiny, and becoming who you were meant to be. Her second publication, The Voice of Rachel Weeping: A Creative Journey of Compassion, Healing, and Hope for Abused Women compiles a twenty year collection of poetry, prose, and short instructional pieces aimed at capturing the heart for the purpose of closing old wounds and providing freedom.
A retired mental health practitioner, Denise has also taught at the college level in the area of social psychology and has led workshops on a variety of topics for emotional healing and spiritual development. She and her husband reside near Lansing, Michigan. They have two married sons – Justin and Jeremy, and two grandchildren.
About the Illustrator of Dragonfly Denny
Violet Freeland began her career exhibiting watercolors throughout galleries in Michigan, as well as Chicago. Years later, she studied (and fell in love with) the medium of oils under renowned Italian oil painter, Mina Greco Hall – whose paintings have been exhibited in the Louvre in Paris, as well as great museums of art in Budapest and Japan. Later Violet mentored for five years with Timothy Widener who teaches at the BBAC and the Flint Institute of Art. She has done many commissions, juried exhibitions and is a recipient of several awards which have gained her a following of collectors across the country. The sensitivity of her art compels the viewer to drink in the beauty and glory of nature, and connect at a level beyond oneself.
Dragonfly Denny is Violet’s second watercolor illustrated book (the first was Ceana Has CP by C. Fran Card). Violet resides with her husband Dick in Chicago, IL. They have two married children – Rich and Katie.