Yu-Mei wanted to be an artist ever since she was a young girl. After receiving her fine arts degree from a university in her native country-Taiwan,she moved to New York City in 1989. She has worked as a children's textile designer and landscaper for a Chinese Temple. Recently she has illustrated two books for Dutton Children's Books. Her artwork has appeared in children's magazines, educational publishers, greeting cards, and wrapping paper companies. Yu-Mei lives in Queens, New York with her husband.