Mary Walters, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, grew up on a farm and has established herself as a highly accomplished artist and illustrator. Widely recognized by her childhood moniker “Ching,” she embarked on her professional artistic journey at the age of 12 when she received her first commission. Ching has garnered acclaim for her impressive watercolor paintings and acrylics on canvas, characterized by their intricate details. Her artistic pursuits have encompassed various domains, extending beyond fine art to encompass the creation of over two thousand postage stamp designs for more than 30 foreign countries, an extensive collection of rubber stamps, food container designs, and illustrations for hundreds of greeting cards. Additionally, Ching has lent her creative talents to the world of children’s literature, illustrating 14 books aimed at young readers. Among these works, she not only conceived the stories but also authored the text and crafted the illustrations for “The Tale of Pelican Bob.”

Throughout their 46-year marriage, Ching and Bob have resided in various locations, most recently spending many years as permanent residents in Italy. However, they always find their way back to the Gulf Coast area. Currently, they call the outskirts of Loxley, Alabama their home, where they share their lives with their two beloved Labrador Retrievers.