After graduating from Parsons in 1956, Leo and Diane Dillon married and began their career together blending personal styles into what they referred to as “The Third Artist”.

Early in their Career they sought work with a wide variety of clients in advertising, book covers, movie posters, record album covers, magazine, illustration, and soon found a penchant for Fantasy and Science fiction illustration and Children’s books. They dedicated their work to be inclusive of all peoples and especially those that were rarely included in fantasy’s or children’s books in the 50’s.

“We want to reflect the real world of differences and cultures with dignity.”

When their son, Lee, was born in 1965 they saw an even greater need for diversity in children’s books and found themselves coloring in white faces in the books. Over the 50 plus years of illustrating, some of the awards they have received includes The Hugo Award for Science Fiction, The Balrog Award for lifetime Contribution to Science Fiction/Fantasy Art, The Caldecott Medal, The Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame, and were Most Highly Commended for The International Hans Christian Anderson Award.