Sherrill A. Knezel

Sherrill Knezel is an American graphic recorder, illustrator, and art educator. She founded Meaningful Marks LLC, a company dedicated to using graphic recording and illustration to facilitate discussions on important social issues such as racism and inclusion.

With a background in art education and studio art from Lawrence University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Aurora University, Knezel has developed a significant expertise in visual literacy.

Her professional work focuses on improving communication and engagement within communities and organizations through graphic recording. As a result, this method helps clarify and connect ideas being discussed by capturing the essence of conversations and presentations through images and text. Her approach enriches the comprehension and recall of information and fosters a sense of community among participants.

In 2022, Knezel authored Heart Speak, a visual companion to Parker J. Palmer’s influential book Let Your Life Speak. Over seventy illustrations accompany Palmer's text, alongside Knezel's reflections. Through Heart Speak, readers are encouraged to engage in self-exploration, to listen carefully to their inner voice, and to embrace their potential and limitations. The book aims to make the profound insights of the original text more accessible and relatable through visual interpretation.

Heart Speak is praised by Palmer himself, who appreciates the transformative power of combining visual art with the written word to reach a broader audience. He highlights the immediacy and impact of images in conveying messages that resonate on a personal and community level.

Sherrill Knezel resides in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Photo credit: www.meaningfulmarks.net