In my teens I was earning my money by painting rock pins and house portraits. After receiving my BA in Art at Penn State, I was fortunate to be able to spend a year in Moscow, USSR, where my Dad was finishing up his Air Force career. I returned to my Norwegian roots in the Midwest. While my husband and I have raised our two children in Brooklyn Park, I’ve been fortunate to work at home as a freelance illustrator.

I’ve illustrated everything from greeting cards and puzzles to textbooks and cookbooks. In recent years my art has mostly been on series book covers and in children’s magazines, religious curriculum, activity books, and parenting books. I’m working on my own stories and book ideas, too.

The Seekers series by G. J. Linko
Cover art by Chris Wold Dyrud, 6 covers
Augsburg Fortress, junior high

Six friends in a youth group stick together through their personal dilemmas.

1. Allie's Answers, 2001, ISBN 978-0-8066-4179-9

2. Holden's Heart, 2001, ISBN 978-0-8066-4180-5

3. Rebecca's Return, 2001, ISBN 978-0-8066-4181-2

4. Ben's Big Break, 2002, ISBN 978-0-8066-4185-0

5. Tess's Touchstone, 2002, ISBN 978-0-8066-4189-8

6. Frank's Fear, 2002, ISBN 978-0-8066-4187-4

The Mandie mystery series by Lois Leppard
Cover art by Chris Wold Dyrud, 40 covers
Bethany House, upper elementary to junior high

Set in western North Carolina, around 1900, Mandie and  friends tackle mysteries at home, at boarding school and on their travels.

Recent titles:

#37 Mandie and the Night Thief, 2003
ISBN 978-0-7642-2640-3

#38 Mandie and The Hidden Past, 2003
ISBN 978-0-7642-2641-0

#39 Mandie and the Missing Schoolmarm, 2004

#40 Mandie and the Graduation Mystery, 2004

More books in the Mandie series
Both books are by Lois Leppard
illustrated by Chris Wold Dyrud
Bethany House, upper elementary to junior high

These two have a drama script following the story.

Mandie and Joe's Christmas Surprise, 1995
ISBN 978-1-55661-552-8

Mandie and Mollie and the Angel's Visit, 1998
ISBN 978-0-7642-2063-0

The Ten Commandments Mystery series
The Beatitudes Mystery series
all by Elspeth Campbell Murphy
published by David C. Cook Chariot Books, 1988-1990, middle elementary
featuring The Three Cousins Detective Club

Children of the Bible
by Elizabeth Yates
illustrated by Chris Wold Dyrud
Cobblestone Publishing, 1996
ISBN 978-0-942389-14-2

A new edition of a collection of familiar Bible stories first published in 1950

Troll Meets Trickster on the Dakota Prairie
written by Faythe Dyrud Thureen
illustrated by Chris Wold Dyrud
Feather Nest Books, 2005
ISBN 978-0-9774061-6-6

"Grandmother's stories lead Ingrid to explore her Norwegian heritage and then to discover the Native American heritage already there on the prairie, with Troll and Trickster sharing the journey."

Three “Arch Books” of Bible stories
Concordia Publishing House
illustrated by Chris Wold Dyrud

Jesus' First Miracle
by Vivian Dede, 1990, ISBN 978-0-570-09022-9

Jesus Calms the Storm
by Jean Thor Cook, 1994, ISBN 978-0-570-09045-8

Caleb, God's Special Spy
by Robert Baden, 1993, ISBN 978-0-570-09031-1

Earthmaker's Lodge,
Native American Folklore, Activities and Foods
Edited by E. Barrie Kavasch
Cobblestone Publishing, 1994 ISBN 978-0-942389-09-8

Dozens of magazine feature illustrations for the Cobblestone group (including Appleseeds, Calliope, Cobblestone, Faces, Odyssey) Spider, and Cricket