Rick Thrun is a Milwaukee-based author, illustrator, and creative director with deep roots in the city’s creative community. A graduate of Milwaukee’s legendary Layton School of Art, he began his career as a freelance illustrator with award-winning work appearing in Rolling Stone, Playboy, and many other national publications. He later taught at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), where he served as Head of the Illustration Department, before spending more than two decades as Founder/Creative Director/Chief Storyteller at two Milwaukee advertising agencies, including Propeller MKE.

Today, he writes and illustrates the OLLIE & THE KID Shape-Shifter Series—adventure books for middle-grade readers ages 8–12—helping inspire young readers and future storytellers.