Artist and illustrator Jo Anne Hook was born in Victoria, Australia. The eldest of five children, she grew up in a small county town. She began drawing and winning prizes in local art competitions. She won a small scholarship to get through high school, then a teaching bursary to help through Art College. Hook soon realised, however, that teaching was not for her, and she found work in a graphic design studio in Melbourne. In 1979 she left Sydney for the peace and tranquillity of a country home in far North Queensland. Soon a style of her own developed, based on her love of colour, pattern and design. Combined with her love of composition, and the inspiration of the lush surrounds of Reef and Rainforest, her own unique style was born. (Source: author's website.)
