Joey Heuisler Ward is a Southern California-based picture book author and illustrator who creates using paint, ink, paper, and human-made digital art. Joey’s storytelling is shaped by her previous careers as an art director and a child psychotherapist. At the heart of her work is a belief that shared stories create important, nurturing memories for small humans and their readers.

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Born in Los Angeles, Joey landed in the arms of her adoptive family on Halloween 1971. As far back as she can remember, Joey was certain she’d have three jobs when she grew up and the universe got the memo. Her creative journey began at age four, when she drew a mural about a farm on the inside of her bedroom closet.

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Joey began her professional career as an art director in advertising where she met her husband; he was making a video game and Joey was assigned to create the game’s visual brand. He shared his chocolate candy. She was hooked.

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While their daughter was quite young, Joey returned to school earning degrees in psychology and clinical social work. Her graduate research explored the ways creativity helps children heal, grow, and connect, which she put into practice during her years working as a psychotherapist for children and adults.

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Today, she brings her varied worlds together as a picture book author and illustrator. Working from her home studio, Joey weaves stories from a long list of inspirations—people, animals, nature, science, as well as life's tough and funny moments.

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Joey lives in Orange County, CA with her family, and she creates stories from her home studio under the supervision of a pint-sized pup named Emma.