• Illustrator Rachel Ohls' career was inspired by a fantasy novel she read in fifth grade. • Ohls sells her fantasy and history-inspired artwork at Renaissance festivals across the country. • She also creates pun-based art, such as a portrait of William Shakespeare as a bear, called "Shakesbear."

A fantasy novel published in 1992 helped shape the course of Rachel Ohls's career.

Ohls, who was in fifth grade at the time, spotted the book, "The Elf Queen of Shannara" by Terry Brooks, at her grandfather's house.

"It had the most gorgeous cover art on it," she said. "I remember staring at it and staring at it … It was obviously a grown-up book. Grandpa said I could read it, and I was hooked."

Ohls, now an illustrator who lives in Mount Holly, has poured her lifelong love of fantasy into

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