Rodica Prato was born in Bucharest, Romania. She finished her architecture studies in Versailles, France, where she lived for a while and took the French citizenship. She worked as a freelance illustrator in Paris where Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques organized a show of her work.

She then moved to NY where she established her studio in Carnegie Hall building. She received an Award of Excellence from the Society of Illustrators and from the Visual Club. Upon the request of the Library of Congress she donated artwork to the Geography and Map Division. The Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York hosted two separate shows dedicated to Rodica. She also participated in a group exhibit of French illustrators working in New York.

Her list of clients is vast. She has worked for a great number of magazines, newspapers, book publishers and advertising agencies. She illustrated most of Martha Stewart's books, drew the official map for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden tree by tree, an Atlas of American History for Houghton Mifflin, a complete how to build a Steinway piano for Clarkson N. Potter, illustrated the covers of the last three books of Garrison Keillor as well as the 35th anniversary season poster of Prairie Home Companion.

Most recently she was commissioned by The White House Historical Association to draw large detailed illustrations of The White House and its gardens.

All her work is done with pen and ink.