Annie Chappell grew up in Denver, a fifth-generation Coloradoan. Her interests in anthropology led her to study ancient cultures, especially those of Native American and Mesoamerican peoples. She has always admired the drawings of naturalists like Audubon and Meriweather Lewis, and she now teaches others to draw from nature and better understand their world. She has an undergraduate degree in art, a master's degree in environmental studies, and a Certificate in Natural Science Illustration from the Cary Institute. In 2004 she created a series of paintings of invasive species that was exhibited at the Denver Botanic Gardens, The Great Falls Discovery Center, Turner's Falls, MA, and the Fish and Wildlife Exhibit Hall, Hadley, MA. Annie is a passionate environmental advocate and works locally as a volunteer toward sustainability through waste reduction and non-toxic alternatives. On occasion she writes articles for the "Green Living" section of her local paper. She lives in a small town in Western Massachusetts with her husband. Together, they enjoy tending to their gardens and playing old-time fiddle music with friends.
