Arlette Murphy Engel of New Jersey has been an artist for as long as she can remember. Influenced, encouraged and guided by her mother, an illustrator of children's books, Arlette learned the finer skills of sketching and rendering at a young age.

Arlette received her BFA in Art Education at Montclair State College and after having taught for many years, she switched careers and went into the fashion sleepwear industry in NYC as head graphic designer for the Lilly Pulitzer and Crabtree & Evelyn licenses, among other well-known brands.

Many of Arlette's illustrations and designs have been published including: literary assessment publications, labels for specialty cheeses throughout the country, branding for Rutger's University Farm Program as well as illustrations for a board game/toy designer.

Always interested in all areas of the creative arts, photography in particular, Arlette combines those things that she enjoys doing most. Epicerie is the result of incorporating her love of cooking and design while utilizing her computer skills with photographs she has taken on her various trips in the US and abroad.

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up" - Paul Valery