Erika LeBarre

Erika LeBarre serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Illustration Department at the College for Creative Studies, where she has taught for many years in both the Illustration Department and Precollege and Continuing Studies programs. She is also a professional illustrator operating LeBarre Illustration, Inc., with a diverse portfolio spanning children's literature, educational materials, and commercial design.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College for Creative Studies, earned in 1990.

LeBarre's artistic practice encompasses a wide range of illustration fields, including children's book illustration, editorial work, book cover design, and textbook illustrations. She employs both traditional media such as pastels and acrylics, and digital tools including Photoshop and Illustrator, to create works that range from whimsical and stylized to realistic with a touch of fantasy. Her style is characterized by vibrant colors, smooth gradations, and rich textures.

LeBarre's significant creative works comprise:

• Two fully illustrated children's books for Concordia Publishing House's "Arch Books" series
• Book covers for Berkley Prime Crime/Penguin Random House and Guideposts
• Hundreds of illustrations for five of Faber Piano Adventures' piano lessons books
• A children's eBook titled "Blucy the Blue Cat" available on Amazon
• School textbook illustrations for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Scholastic
• Interior work for Highlights and Highlights High Five Magazine
• Local merchandising work for Avanti Press and Peninsulas

As an educator, LeBarre shares her industry expertise with students, emphasizing practical illustration techniques and professional practices in the field.