It seems that a little birdie started it all. 

As I was in my studio thinking about the illustrations I wanted to create for my first kids book, a memory of playing with painted paper and scissors and glue flew up to greet me. That memory was strongly associated with the children's books I most enjoyed reading to our kids when they were small.  Then, we often picked up books illustrated by the author Eric Carle. His colorful and wonderfully designed pages were in my thoughts as I designed my illustrations for The City Ever Green . Sometime  before I started to paint colorful patterns on paper and to cut out pictures to fit my words, this collage and mixed media painting, Birds of a Feather, came along. It seemed to have a flight of it's own.

Like most spontaneous creative moments it demanded to be acted upon before it was gone. That is the artists and writers way. Inspiration is often fleeting, marked by ideas that can vanish in the miasma of conscious thought if they are not acted upon. I admire song writers whose muse might be riding on a bus, found by scribbling on a napkin in a diner or briefly recalled from a dream. It seems that some acts of creation are simply unexpected gifts from our subconscious..

Magazine pages, acrylic paints, cut painted papers and even gold metal leaf gave life to these birds. Later that work inspired the collaged  images that found the way into my story. Both the artwork, my illustrations and words all required editing but the heart of it all flew in unannounced. I guess I followed the birdie.

Birds of a Feather ,  acrylic collage & mixed media 

Nature and the Big City    August 1, 2024

A trip to New York city inspired one of the illustrations in my new kids book, The City Ever Green. Several years ago my husband and I were on foot exploring Manhattan and the Meat Packing district when we found the wonderful High Line elevated rail trail.

It is a marvel of ingenuity, conservation and renewal within the confines of this massive city.  As I was illustrating my book,  my thoughts often turned to my memories of walking on the High Line, high above the crowds, traffic and businesses. The beautiful plantings and shared enjoyment of the trail provided immediate relaxation and and a sense of respite from urban life. It was an unexpected delight. Being present in Nature, particularly walking in gardens, woodlands, and forests has always been my place to recharge and to find  peace.

My book shares ideas and images that support rewilding and urban renewal in a way that will  empower children.

Many kids who live in large cities have limited access to nature. It is possible to bring nature , green spaces to them.

The illustration below was directly inspired by the Hi-Line. If you ever find yourselves in the Big Apple take a walk on the high side. 

Stay connected for more book release news ... My final hard copy proof should be delivered soon!!!

Happy Book Birthday!!! August 10

On August 10, 2024 the soft cover edition of my  children's book was launched and made available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites. It has been quite the journey to reach this milestone in publication. Last evening, I was finally able to upload the hard cover version of my book to Ingram Spark ( this deserves it's own blog post ! ). Presently, I'm awaiting a digital proof for approval.  Today, anticipation and relief are the words that come to mind.

Illustrating and writing The City Ever Green been a tremendously rewarding and challenging process. In future blog posts I'll share the ups and downs inherent in self-publishing. But right now, I feel like sharing the joy I felt when my first box of books arrived this week. Do you remember when you opened your first book, your first walk in the woods, or your first box of crayons? I do, and I believe it's never to late to pursue the memories that can turn into the realization of a dream. It's never to late to find the child within you. 

Today, Happiness is a box of books! Be Hoppy!

The Balancing Act - September 10

One of the most challenging aspects of being a self-published author / illustrator has been navigating self-promotion and marketing. I think that the importance of effective use of social media can not be over stated. But, an author's choices are incredibly wide and finding the optimum social network can be difficult. For many years I've shared my artwork on Instagram and Facebook, becoming  very familiar with these sites. Now, I see a new world of marketing opportunities that are not exactly in my wheel house; Etsy, U-tube, Tik-Tok, Goodreads, X .....Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY! The choices at first glance are over whelming.

It would seem that the time commitment to utilize all of these options could be huge.  As I explore and tentatively stick my toe into this wider world of internet exposure, I am taking  it one "bite" at a time. 

Recently, I had a conversation regarding self promotion with an artist participating in a week-long painting workshop I taught at  Dillman's Art Retreat in Lac Du Flambeau, WI. It may seem Ironic that both of us, experienced artists and public speakers, consider ourselves introverts. For those of us who seek both privacy and quiet in our working studios, it can feel against the grain to constantly post on social media. Today, as I do most days, I sent images and words out into the social stratosphere. With that, I always feel a need for temperance, to do enough content sharing but not too much. I struggle with a question of balance.

My  generation was told not to "toot our own horn". It was considered to be showing off, perhaps conceited.

However, social media is a flighty and  transient tool. One can be "Here today and gone tomorrow" .

I believe that writing for children is an honor.  I believe in the value of books, libraries, independent book stores and reading to a child. In that light, I accept the task to share my book where ever I can. 

                                                                    The City Ever Green ..... one world one home for us all.

Rainy Day Ladies - September 26

 The first step of writing or starting a new painting is recognizing that a  "spark of interest" is present. Often a great idea floats up and then vanishes when my attention is divided or absent. Makers of all kinds have these flights of creative sparks and sometimes we just let them go. The antidote to that lies in taking action. That action may be undefined, inspired by just the whisp of an idea. But, pursuit of that idea will become an opportunity.

I often go to work in my studio with poorly defined intentions. Sometimes I will pick up a pen or brush just because acting like an artist or a writer primes the engine to create like one. Having a dedicated space to work in is equally important. Early in my career, that space was a kitchen table, then a small area in a spare bedroom, then a whole bedroom...and then eventually I claimed a studio space. The space itself is both an affirmation and a motivation.

The collage painting, Rainy Day Ladies began without a plan, but with a desire to make something of a rainy day. By selecting random bits of hand-painted papers, I formed a pattern and then found the figures within the colors and shapes. The spark was in the doing. The end result felt like a gift. 

The creative process is more like a circle than a line. When we explore an idea in a tangible way, we flirt with both failure and achievement. Ultimately, the process is it's own reward.