Neecy Twinem

Neecy Twinem is an artist, toy designer and, author and illustrator of over 30 published children's books, with her illustrations also found on book covers, educational books, classroom readers, magazines, puzzles, posters, greeting cards, T-shirts, public murals and galleries. She recently developed and released a plush toy line, ZombieZoo, which has attracted national attention.

She was born in Kansas City, MO, adopted at birth and raised by Charlene B. and John Robert Twinem. She has one daughter, Tonia Herrero, an artist and educator who is one of many of Twinem's inspirations. Neecy resides in Sandia Park, New Mexico.

Neecy spent her early childhood living in Olathe, KS, Denver, CO and in Lincoln, NE where she spent her high school years, graduating from Lincoln Southeast High School with honors in fine art. She studied fine art at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and then transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute, where she graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Sculpture and Video Performance in 1980. In 1981, She moved to New York City and worked in Visual Merchandising and window display design, designing window displays for Bergdorf Goodman, Macy's and Elizabeth Arden in Manhattan.

In 1994, Neecy launched her children's book career with her first title Aye-Ayes, Bears and Condors, An ABC of Endangered Animals and Their Babies, published by Scientific American Books for Young Readers. Her books are mostly written for young audiences and often focus on nature and animals. Her books have won numerous awards and recommendations from wildlife organizations.

Published books

Aye-Ayes, Bears and Condors, An ABC of Endangered Animals and their Babies, 1994, Scientific American Books for Young Readers, NY, NY.
World's Strangest Animal Facts, 1994, Sterling Publishing Co., NY
High in the Trees, 1996 Charlesbridge Publishing, Watertown, MA.
Changing Colors, 1996, Charlesbridge Publishing, Watertown, MA.
The Seasons at My House, 1996 American Editions Pub., Columbus, OH.
Welcome to Gullah Gullah Island Paper Doll Book, 1996, Little Simon, Simon & Schuster, NY.
In the Air, 1997, Charlesbridge Publishing, Watertown, MA.
Edgar Badger's Fix-it Day, 1997, Mondo Publishing, NY, NY.
In the Ocean, 1998, Charlesbridge Publishing, Watertown, MA.
Bug Hunt, 1999, Grosset & Dunlap, (a part of Penguin Putnam USA) NY.
Peek at a Pond, 1999, Grosset & Dunlap, NY.
Edgar Badger's Fishing Day, 1999, Mondo Publishing, NY.
Edgar Badger's Butterfly Day, 1999, Mondo Publishing, NY.
Baby Alligator, 2000, Grosset & Dunlap, NY.
Bear Cub, 2001, Grosset & Dunlap, NY.
Who's Home, 2003, Grosset & Dunlap, NY.
E is for Enchantment, A New Mexico Alphabet
Baby Coyote Counts, 2004, Rising Moon, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Bebe'Coyote cuenta, 2004, Luna Rising, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Baby Snake's Shapes, 2004, Rising Moon, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Las formas de Bebe'Serpiente, 2004, Luna Rising, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Baby Gecko's Colors, 2004, Rising Moon, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Los colores de Bebe'Geco, 2004, Luna Rising, (Northland Pub.) AZ.
Three Hungry Spiders, 2004, SmartInk, Ltd, NY.
I Love Mud, 2005, Creative Teaching Press Inc.
Hungry Beasties, 2006 NorthWord Books for Young Readers, MN.
Sleepy Beasties, 2006 NorthWord Books for Young Readers, MN.
No, No, No, Little Turtles 2006, SmartInk, Ltd, NY.
Playful Beasties, 2007, NorthWord Books for Young Readers, MN.
Noisy Beasties, 2007, NorthWord Books for Young Readers, MN.
Giggly Wiggly Worms A Wiggly Finger Puppet Book, 2007, Smartink Books Ltd., NY.
Gators on the Go, 2007, SmartInk, Ltd, NY.

Book Awards

Science Books & Films, Best Children's Science Book Award 1995, for Aye-Ayes, Bears and Condors.
New York Book Association Show, Second place Cover Award, 1994, for Aye-Ayes, Bears and Condors.
The WILLA Literary Award, Finalist, 2005, for E is for Enchantment, A New Mexico Alphabet.
Land of Enchantment Book Award, Nominee, 2007, for E is for Enchantment, A New Mexico Alphabet.

LifeWorks' Real Life Award, 2000, for Bug Hunt.

Twinem's illustration has varied over her career in subject matter and medium but remains deeply rooted in animals and nature whether stylized or realistic. Her illustrations have been commissioned and licensed from companies such as, Innovative Kids, Nickelodeon, Penguin Putnam, Ravensburger, Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation, Scholastic, SunsOut and the U.S.D.A.. Twinem developed a unique painting technique that bears inspiration from the native art and textiles of Oaxaca and other traditional Mexican folk art. In this method, paint is layered in a dry brush method to expose the texture and color layers –similar to a dark gesso- with the paint layered up to 2–3 mm deep.

Galleries/Exhibitions

The Old Schoolhouse Gallery, San Antonito, NM. Representation/Exhibition 2009–present
Patrician Design, Albuquerque, NM. "Representation/Exhibition" 2007–present
POP Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. "Representation/Exhibition" 2008–2009
“Evolutions & Transitions", "Group exhibition", Framing Concepts Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, 2007
“Give Us Wings", "Group exhibition", Henderson Fine Arts Center, San Juan College, Farmington, NM, 2002
“Beginning of Wonder", "Group exhibition", Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack, NY, 2001
B.I.G., group exhibition, Albuquerque, NM 1999
Santa Fe Festival of the Book, Group exhibition, Santa Fe, 2000 and 2001
Where Art Thou, Gallery of Fine Art, Columbus, NE, Representation/Exhibition, 2001–2003

The 1999 Children's Illustration Auction and Exhibition, Joel Harris Children's Book & Art Gallery and the Pacific Book Auction Galleries, Antioch, CA, 1999

In 2011, Twinem launched her first line of toys, Zombiezoo, at the 2011 International Toy Fair expo in New York City. The brand consists of a family of plush animal characters and demonstrates the unique talent and imagination found in Twinem's art and illustration. The art of Zombiezoo bears inspiration from the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, Mexican and American Folk Art as well as artists such as Tim Burton and Jim Henson. Although only one year old, the brand has received national accolades and press reviews. Twinem is the creator, developer and owner of the ZombieZoo brand.