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Yusuf Tansu Özel

Born in Ankara in 1976, Yusuf Tansu Özel graduated from the Department of Graphic Design at Anatolian University Faculty of Fine Arts in 1999.

After working as an Art Director and Illustrator at several advertising agencies for 10 years, he quit his job to take a break and went on a 6-month trip to Latin America with his wife. Illustrating many scenes, memories and stories throughout their travels across 33 countries, he realized this was what he wanted to do and started working onchildren’s books.

Having illustrated many children’s books since then, he now lives in Istanbul with his beloved son, daughter and wife. He still works as a freelance illustrator for prominent publishers, and also runs art sessions for children in his own atelier.