Vincent MyrandSelf-taught fine artist, illustrator, and art instructor Vincent Myrand has loved Oz for as long as he can remember. Vincent's The Wizard of Oz and Return to Oz paintings have gathered worldwide recognition. He has devoted his life to the arts. Vincet was inspired by the movie The Wizard of Oz as a youngling, and shortly after discovered L. Frank Baum's Oz books. He fell in love with the characters and started drawing them constantly. He dreamt he would one day become and author or illustrator of Oz books. Membership in The International Wizard of Oz club helped fuel his passion for Oz (he joined when he was only 12!). Vincent's passion for the Arts was recognized in high school when his teachers nominated him for The Haystack Art & Craft Institute in Deer Isle, ME, scholarship for that year. Also, Vincent was involved with the Bates College Gifted and Talented writing program. After Haystack, Vincent explored more art at Bates through part tie art classes arranged by student outreach clubs. In his early 20s, Vincent started to work for Arts After School as an Art Instructor. Later on, he decided to open an art school of his own: the nonprofit Myrand Art Institution, which was opened on Forest Avenue in Portland, ME, in the 1990s. In 1997, Vincent traveled to Italy on an artistic tour of Rome, Venice, and Pompeii, amongst other notable cities. Vincent already had a vast knowledge of Italian art and history. He has also been involved with the local music scene as a front man in bands. Lastly, he has painted many album sleeves for countless bands. He was delighted to discover a famous artist in his family tree: Charles Howard Hodges, an 18th Century English portraitist to the Netherlands, and celebrated throughout Europe. Hodges was also Vincent's great-great-great-great grandfather on his mother's side...and a delightful discovery for Vincent, as he long been an admirer or Hodges' work before he learned of the family connection! With ZIGGY, Vincent has come full-circle to the land of Oz that started his career. I wouldn't be an artist if it wasn't for Oz, he says. Vincent lives in Maine. Read More Read Less