Deanna Staffo was born in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She received her BFA in Illustration from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). She previously taught at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is currently a full-time professor in the Illustration department at MICA. 

Deanna has been a professional illustrator for over 15 years. She resides in Baltimore and spends her spare time reading books, watching movies, flipping through fashion magazines, and playing with her two sons and husband.

She has illustrated three books for The Folio Society: What Katy Did (2010), A Circle in the Fire and Other Stories (2013), and Persuasion (2016). In 2022, she illustrated the cover and 18 character cameo portraits for The Unofficial Bridgerton Book of Afternoon Tea, published by Ryland, Peters & Small.

Her illustrations and sketchbook work have been featured in books including: lllustration Now!, Vol.1 (Taschen, 2006), Illustration Now! Portraits (Taschen, 2011), Illustration Now! Fashion (Taschen, 2013), Artist Notebook (Monsa, 2015), Illustration That Works (Monacelli Press, 2015), Pencil Art Workshop (2017, Rockport), Drawn from Life {2017, Hardie Grant (UK)/ Chronicle (US)}

Recognition: 

American Illustration

The Society of Illustrators West

Communication Art's "Fresh List" 

The Altpick Awards