About Bright Ring Publishing

MaryAnn F. Kohl
Early Childhood Art Specialist

Dear Artsy Kid, Parent, Teacher, and Friend,

Welcome to my website! Enjoy your visit as you browse art ideas, books, and fun links to explore. I would like to introduce you to my company, Bright Ring Publishing, and tell you a little about myself too. If you have questions or would like to write to me, you can be sure I will read your letters and find answers to all your questions.

Bright Ring Publishing has been authoring award-winning art activity books for children since 1985. MaryAnn Faubion Kohl (that’s me!) is the primary author or co-author. Titles now published by Chicago Review Press include Discovering Great Artists, Great American Artists for Kids, Action Art, Scribble Art, Mudworks, Mudworks Bilingual Edition, Good Earth Art, Science Arts, Storybook Art, Making Make-Believe, and Math Arts. These books have captured the imaginations of children, teachers and parents worldwide. I also write books for Gryphon House, Inc. including the titles Preschool Art, Cooking Art, Global Art, Primary Art, First Art for Toddlers and Twos, and The Big Messy Art Book. Some of the awards my books have received are:

• 2010 Moonbeam Awards for Activity Books: Games, Arts, Crafts
• First Place, Arts Appreciation Category, Practical Homeschooling Magazine, 2002
• Mayor’s Art Award in the division of Education and Support, Bellingham, WA 2001
• Director’s Choice Award 2001 for Big Messy but Easy to Clean Up Art
• 1999 Gold Award for Best Parenting book from the National Parenting Publications
• 1999 Top Ten Award from The Education Source
• 1997 Directors Choice Award
• Numerous Benjamin Franklin Gold and Silver Awards for excellence in independent publishing
• 1995 ALA Best of the Best Books and Media for Children
• 1993 Washington Press Communicator Award

About MaryAnn –

I believe that art is an adventure and an exploration of materials and ideas. I like to say “Art is a Process, Not a Product”. Children have only themselves to please as they drip, smudge, glop, glue and sculpt their way through hundreds of open-ended art ideas. The art activities in my books have unlimited creative possibilities with no right or wrong way to create and no set rules or expectations for outcomes. Process art expands the creative experience and awareness of children in all aspects of the visual arts through painting, drawing, printing, sculpture, architecture, and other manipulations of art materials. The activities in my books work well for all ages and abilities.

The Early Days

I founded Bright Ring Publishing in 1985 when I published my first book of independent art experiences for children, Scribble Cookies. My background began as an elementary school teacher, later a college educator and educational consultant, and now author and publisher. My interest in children’s creative art comes from my years teaching kids from preschool through middle school, teaching kindergarten enrichment and college level courses, and consulting with teachers and parents throughout the world. I love everything creative with children, and art seems to be the thing I love best.

Growing Up

While growing up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and later on Bainbridge Island, Washington, my favorite things to do were art, music, reading, and especially playing outside. I treasured my box of pastel chalks, my Indian Princess bicycle, and my brunette Ginny doll with a trunk full of doll clothes. Now that I’ve grown up, I live near Bellingham, Washington where I raised my two grown daughters with my husband (deceased). And you know what? I still enjoy playing outside! When I’m not writing or publishing, you’ll find me reading, skiing, working outside on our property, playing Frisbee with my dog, or enjoying some family fun. Consulting in the schools, offering workshops around the world, writing for magazines and blogs, and guesting on numerous television shows keeps me busy year-round. But it’s writing my books and spending time with kids that make me happiest of all.

I’d Love to Hear from You!

I welcome correspondence from everyone – parents, teachers, librarians, childcare professionals, homeschoolers, kids – about my books or about children’s art in general. You can email me at info@brightring.com or use the contact form on this website.

Thanks for visiting me and Bright Ring Publishing,
I look forward to hearing from you!