Our Team

Joe Mruk, aka Red Buffalo Illustration, is a Pittsburgh-based full-time freelance illustrator with eleven years of experience. Joe is working on a middle-grade graphic novel series and a picture book series. Most of his existing work is music-based with an emphasis on posters, maps and album art. He got his BFA in painting and graphic design at Cal U of Pennsylvania, and teaches illustration privately and in groups at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media. When he’s not illustrating, he can be found walking his dog October around town or going to shows in the city. Contact Joe at wpa-ra@scbwi.org!

Laura Garvin is an illustrator and dreamer who has a passion for drawing cute characters and colorful scenes. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her cat Blueberry and when she isn’t drawing she loves exploring new art mediums, reading, and spending time outdoors. Contact Laura at wpa-ic@scbwi.org!

As a professional artist and illustrator, Teresa Roberts Logan has created thousands of paintings and drawings (collectors include Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, and Kyoko Cox). Teresa also is the founder of Laughing Redhead Studio, a line of hilarious greeting cards that universally celebrates women through contemporary, edgy humour. She is a cartoonist, humour writer, and standup comic who lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

Sarah Rouhier is an author and elementary educator. Originally from West Virginia, she now resides in Pittsburgh where she loves visiting Phipps conservatory, shopping for vintage home decor, and practicing yoga in her sunroom. Sarah writes for all ages, with a love for verse novels and a focus on middle-grade. She recently earned her MFA in Children's Literature from Hollins University, where she was awarded the 2024 Annual Excellence in Academic Performance Award. She is excited to welcome new members to our region!

As a young artist, Amanda was enthralled by Michael Whelan and Darrell K Sweet’s sci-fantasy book cover illustrations and endeavored to recreate those otherworldly images. She received formal science illustration schooling through Phipps Botanical Art program and freelanced in that field for many years, finding nature has its’ own ‘otherworldy’ appeal. She has illustrated a book about Diego, a Galapagos giant tortoise, exhibited a show on seahorses and their kin and had her work selected for exhibit at the New York State Museum. She is returning to the richness and power of oils to examine the bits of otherworldliness that exist in our day-to-day world. Amanda was born in Arizona and went to art school in the West (Denver, CO); lived in the South (Amarillo, TX), and the North (Duluth, MN) and now resides in the East (Pittsburgh, PA). She already has plans for another body of work inspired by our kinship with dogs and horses.