Hollidaysburg graduate’s art brings stories to life

A Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School graduate, she returned to her hometown in 2023 after five years in Pittsburgh making a name for herself in graphic design circles by working for several “start up tech companies,” she said.

Now, her “day job” is being a content designer for World Family English, a licensee of Disney who helps English as a Second Language students increase their proficiency and fluency. She works remotely like many of their employees, with a focus on adding the visuals to teachers’ lesson plans.

“I get to use my illustration skills. My previous roles were more marketing and more commercial, which I don’t mind, but I’ve always enjoyed animation and it’s more up my alley and I get to be more creative,” Pipetti said.

She continues to pursue freelance illustration opportunities and illustrated four children’s books with two different authors.

Children’s book illustrator Casey Pipetti works in her Hollidaysburg home.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

“I’ve always wanted to do children’s books,” Pipetti said. She read “tons of books” growing up and said she was attracted to the illustrations and pictures.

“The difference between children’s book illustration and typical graphic design work is more of the expression. When you do children’s books, you get to really focus on fun colors and making little worlds within the scene and getting to use more of traditional drawing and painting knowledge. I work digitally, but I still apply the fundamentals and get to tell a story through artwork.”

It was while finishing her art studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania that a professor recommended her to author Leigh Heidenthal of Homer City. Heidenthal was searching for an illustrator to breathe life into her first children’s book, “A Brother for Benny.”

“She was so easy to work with. I could make suggestions and she took it all in and added her own creative flare to it,” Heidenthal said. The children’s book follows the adventures of a deer family.

“She was so open and her creativity is fantastic. She makes them look lifelike. You can see the expression on the deer’s faces, and she gives them the emotion so you can see what they are thinking.”

Casey Pipetti works on an illustration for a children’s book in her Hollidaysburg home.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The first book was followed by “Sister Trouble for Ella,” which continues the deer family’s adventures. Both are now published by Indignor House Inc.

Pipetti is working on her third collaboration with Greensburg author Scott Watkins, who brings American history to the pint-sized through “On Your Horse, Mr. Revere!” and “Independence? Consider it Declared!” Both are self-published via Ingram Spark.

“I’m so extremely thankful for her because she has this amazing way of reading the stories, somehow making sense of my somewhat unorganized vision and then bringing the story to life,” Watkins said. “Her artwork is such an awesome blend of dynamic, detailed and fun. This makes it so easy for kids to be captivated and adults are always wowed. Casey is also just such a genuine artist and person. She’s always responsive, on-point and delivers. Her care shines through the work, and I believe that, along with her ability to bring visions to life so efficiently in such a wonderful way, contributes to her success.”

Pipetti describes her art as being “quirky, with a 1950s vintage style. I like primary colors and a retro vintage vibe,” she said. “I like doing big googly looking eyes and making everything look happy and cute and colorful.”

Her paternal aunt Carole Pipetti has many cards and drawings from her niece around her house. The artist also made her stickers to help with her scrapbooking.

“I’m really proud of her,” she said. Pipetti’s art “makes me feel happy,” Carole Pipetti said.

Pipetti knew she wanted to pursue art as a student at Charles W. Longer Elementary School.

“I still walk past the school and I think ‘oh, man, I was in there as a kid and wishing I could do this and now I’m actually doing it,’” she said.

She drew “constantly” growing up. Asked what advice she would give to young artists, she said to learn patience and perseverance. She watched her peers landing opportunities and would wonder why she wasn’t.

“The only way you won’t get success is if you give up. I know that sounds cheesy, but if you keep at it and you’re really, really serious about doing it, opportunities will come your way. You have to be patient. If you keep at it and you’re passionate about what you’re doing, you’ll get into the avenues that you’re looking for. You’ve just got to be patient.”

The Pipetti file

Name: Casey Pipetti

Age: 31

Residence: Hollidaysburg

Family: Parents, Richard and Arlene Pipetti; brother, Anthony; aunt, Carole Pipetti; partner, Tyler Mumau

Education: Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, Class of 2011; Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with a focus in graphic design from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2015