ao Nyeu grew up in Niskayuna, New York, a town whose name means "Flowing Fields of Corn." She earned a BFA from Cornell University and moved to New York City to live life as a graphic designer. As it turns out, drawing is more fun so she waved goodbye to the design world to attend the School of Visual Arts' MFA Illustration program. A recent graduate with a special interest in silkscreening and etching, she is diving into the world of childrens' books illustration. Tao lives in sunny California and enjoys the company of fruits and flowers.