Laura Salafia's Journey from Children's Books to Editorial Illustration
Boston-based freelance illustrator Laura Salafia draws inspiration from artists such as Jerry Pinkney and David Wiesner. She pursued her illustration studies at The Art Institute of Boston and later obtained a master's degree in early childhood development from Lesley University. In 2020, she dedicated herself to illustration through the MFA program at the University of Hartford, transitioning to editorial portraiture and honing her digital skills in Procreate. Salafia has illustrated four children’s picture books, with "Getting to Work" set for release in March 2026. Her clients include the Boston Globe and New York Times, and she has received over 30 awards. Additionally, she teaches visual arts at Bunker Hill Community College and has earned accolades for her volunteer work with the National Labor Federation calendar from the Society of Illustrators.
Key facts
- Laura Salafia is a freelance illustrator and fine artist from Boston focusing on portraits, editorial illustrations, and children's books.
- She studied illustration at The Art Institute of Boston and earned a master's in early childhood development from Lesley University.
- In 2020, she enrolled in the low-residency MFA program at the University of Hartford, shifting her focus to editorial portraiture.
- Salafia has illustrated four children's picture books, including "Getting to Work" to be published in March 2026 for MountainOne.
- Her editorial clients include the Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times, and The Washington Post.
- She has won over 30 awards from competitions such as American Illustration, Communication Arts, and the Society of Publication Designers.
- Salafia teaches as an adjunct professor of visual arts at Bunker Hill Community College.
- She attended a figurative oil painting workshop in Venice, Italy, with Mary Beth McKenzie and artists from the Art Students League of New York.
Entities
Artists
- Laura Salafia
- Jerry Pinkney
- Beatrix Potter
- Maurice Sendak
- Shel Silverstein
- Chris Van Allsburg
- David Wiesner
- C. F. Payne
- Leslie Cober
- Mary Beth McKenzie
Institutions
- Boston University
- The Art Institute of Boston
- Lesley University
- University of Hartford
- MountainOne
- National Labor Federation
- Eastern Service Workers Association
- Society of Illustrators New York
- Society of Illustrators Los Angeles
- Art Students League of New York
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Boston Globe
- Entertainment Weekly
- New York Times
- The Washington Post
- American Illustration
- Communication Arts
- Society of Publication Designers
- Portrait Society of America
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Locations
- Boston
- United States
- Dorchester
- Massachusetts
- Venice
- Italy