About "Stumbling to the Stars": This is a true story of a young girl growing up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania in the late 1930's. She describes humorous and heartfelt events, some tragic, that impacted the lives of her family and their neighbors. Her dream to live in New York City was realized as she relates unusual and sometimes startling incidents. This story also reveals a scintillating adventure in Cuba, as well as a harrowing episode being marooned in a snowstorm. The author's tenacity, coupled with a love of music and art, led to an interesting and lucrative career while meeting and drawing famous people and celebrities.
The book is available at Book Passage in San Francisco and Corte Madera, and online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
About Jeanne Koelsch: Jeanne grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania in the late 1940s. After learning to play piano, she became a member in a 14-piece orchestra at age 16.
She moved to New York City after graduating high school at the age of 17, to pursue a dream. In order to survive, she worked at a variety of jobs including showroom modeling for Barbizon Modeling Agency. She won several titles at contests for Miss NBC, Miss US Marines and Miss Brooklyn Dodgers.
Jeanne began assisting a prominent caricaturist with his bookings at conventions, and writing a syndicated entertainment column. A few years later, her decision to work independently as a caricaturist resulted in success. Large companies hired her to draw portrait caricatures of their clients at their corporate events. Bookings came from Time Magazine, Shell Oil, Canada Dry, Pepsi Cola, Firestone Tire & Rubber, and New York Life Insurance.
Jeanne became a member of the New York Press Club which gave her entree to reviewing Broadway shows, reviewing restaurants, and backstage events where she met and drew many famous people and movie stars. This era was called the "Fabulous 50s".
Jeanne's lucrative career lasted over 12 years. She married in 1959, had two children, and moved to Connecticut. She currently resides in San Rafael, California.
Website: http://www.jeannekoelsch.com
