Carla Gloembe author page

Carla Golembe biography

Carla Golembe is an American painter, illustrator, author, and teacher whose work spans picture books and fine art. Working in acrylic, gouache, and monotype, she creates bold, stylized imagery that appears in children’s publishing as well as gallery exhibitions. In addition to studio practice, she teaches art and leads workshops in painting and illustration.

Golembe is the author and illustrator of The Story of Hula and The Story of Surfing (Bess Press), titles that introduce young readers to the traditions and history of these cultural arts. Her illustration credits include The Woman in the Moon: A Story from Hawai‘i (text by Jama Kim Rattigan, Little, Brown) and How Night Came from the Sea: A Story from Brazil (text by Mary-Joan Gerson, Little, Brown). Her books reflect careful research paired with accessible storytelling and vivid visuals for early elementary audiences.

The Story of Hula received a Benjamin Franklin Award in 2004 from the Publishers Marketing Association, and its audio edition earned recognition at the Hawai‘i Music Awards. The Woman in the Moon was cited with an Aesop Accolade by the American Folklore Society, and How Night Came from the Sea was commended by the Américas Award committee. Beyond publishing, Golembe’s paintings have been shown in galleries and are represented in corporate and public collections. She has also held artist residencies, including at the Hambidge Center.