Author / Illustrator Stacy Schilling was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she developed a passion for the visual arts at a young age. After graduating high school in Kentucky, where her family relocated in 1990, she attended the University of Kentucky and earned a degree in Journalism. However, her true calling lay in graphic design, and she honed her skills working in Cincinnati, OH. Despite initial setbacks in her design career, she didn't give up and enrolled in Northern Kentucky University's Graphic Design program where she graduated with honors.

With renewed determination, Stacy returned to her hometown of Los Angeles to pursue a career in the competitive design industry, working with prestigious clients such as NBC and UCLA, and quickly establishing herself as a talented and respected designer and teacher.

After spending more than a decade teaching and working in the industry, Stacy noticed a gap in the market for children's literature that addressed hair care for young readers with curly or wavy hair. In 2022, she began writing a series of books to fill this gap and empower young readers to embrace and care for their natural curls.

Stacy is recognized for her tireless work ethic, dedication to her craft, and has earned several awards and accolades for her contributions in the visual arts. In her free time, she enjoys learning about health and wellness, teaching website design, drawing, painting, and finding creative ways to express herself.

Stacy is a truly remarkable individual, serving as an inspiration to those around her with her positive impact on the world through her work and kindness.

This July, Stacy will continue to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many as her role for titleholder, Ms. Elite Kentucky Petite, where she will be competing for the National Title for Ms. Elite in the Petite USA pageant held in Chicago. Her platform, Curl Confidence, focuses on educating, empowering and encouraging girls ages 5-13 how to take care and love their natural hair through practical and confidence building lessons. Stacy will also wear her natural wavy hair throughout the entire pageant to show girls that you can be yourself in all areas of life, and wear your with natural hair texture with confidence and pride, frizz and all.

You can view Stacy's art and design work on her portfolio.