Mari Kanstad Johnsen
Photo credit: Erika Hebbert
Mari Kanstad Johnsen is an awarded and acclaimed visual artist, children’s book author, and illustrator. She has a bachelor’s degree from Oslo National Academy of the Arts and a master’s from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts & Design in Stockholm. In 2012, Kanstad Johnsen’s illustration for picture book Vivaldi won a Gold Award for Illustration in the National Norwegian Graphic Design Awards and was included in Flavorwire’s list of “The 20 Most Beautiful Children’s Books of All Time.” In 2017, she was honored to receive a special mention for Jeg Rømmer (I’m Out of Here) at the international Bologna Ragazzi Awards. Mari Kanstad Johnsen has illustrated for several newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times.