Priscilla Hillman

Artist Priscilla Hillman grew up in New England with her twin sister Greta, brother Rick, and their parents. It was during her childhood that she discovered her love and talent for drawing. Along with her sister, she would spend many hours drawing and painting at the kitchen table, while her mother baked.

Priscilla was a student at the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in botany. It was at the University that she met her husband, Norman. After graduating, Priscilla joined the U.S. Oceanographic service, where she served as a marine biologist, but she knew that art was her first love.

After the birth of her son, Glenn, in 1969, Priscilla realized the opportunity to use her creative talents and went to work as a book illustrator. Her illustrative work can be seen in the Merry Mouse series of books, first published by Doubleday in 1980.

Later, Priscilla was forced to spend months lying flat on her back as the result of a serious back problem. It was during this prolonged period of inactivity that Priscilla began to form her visions of teddy bears that eventually became the inspiration for Cherished Teddies figurines.