A native southern Californian, David Galchutt has been working as an illustrator for 30+ years. Though he had done some advertising illustration in his early years, the primary focus of his illustrating career has been in the children’s industry, working for both toy companies and publishing. In 1993 a children’s book that he wrote and illustrated, There Was Magic Inside, was published by Simon and Schuster. Now working as a designer in the giftware industry, he continues to freelance for children’s publications, primarily Highlights for Children. This relationship is especially rewarding as he had a subscription to that magazine as a child. His spare time is spent painting, a passion that never seems to burn out.
David’s love of designing and painting came at an early age. He can cite the moment when he decided to become an artist to a day in kindergarten. He grew up in an artistic environment, his parents having met at Chouinard Art Institute in the 1950’s. His father worked as a graphic designer and his mother studied costume design. These disciplines influenced him greatly, he has a strong design sense and he loves integrating costume into his illustrations.
He was awarded the 2010 award for best children’s magazine illustration of the year (ages 9-11) from the Association of Educational Publishers. The illustration ‘When Cats Dance’ appeared in Highlights Magazine for Children.
David graduated from Art Center College of Design in 1981 and he is happy to report that he’s been working as a professional illustrator since that time.