Enough!

Seems cliche to post this without saying more.

Isn't it time that we want more for our future than this continued

injustice?

If you're caucasian (like me) here's some things we can do:

1. Learn about other people and their culture but go beyond foods and festivals.
2. Explore the unfamiliar. Put yourself in situations where you are in the visible minority.
3. Be a proactive parent. Talk to your children candidly about race.
4. Don't tell or laugh at stereotypical jokes.
5. Think before you speak. Words can hurt whether you mean them to or not.
6. Be a role model and help educate others regarding your own experiences.
7. Don't make assumptions because they are usually wrong and stereotypes are destructive.
8. Consider how race and racism impact your life and those around you.
9. Don't let others get away with biased language or behavior- speak up and out.
10. Take a position against hate and take a Stand Against Racism.
    
    
    This list was written by Margaret Mitchell, President and CEO of 
    YWCA eliminating racism empowering women in Cleveland, Ohio.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Something a little lighter...

Summer  B I K E S !

My 12 year old has never expressed interest in learning how to ride a bike.

His grandpa has fond memories of bike riding as a child so he bought

him one that just sat unused in the garage. (for years)

Last fall his school had a program to teach kids how to ride a bike 

& he enjoyed it.  His dad loves ride & I just like the feeling of

the wind in my hair! 

We live in downtown Kansas City & although it's not bustling with constant activity

it's still not an ideal location for a novice rider.

There's a private airport for small planes nearby that has

a flat circular drive that I'm thinking will be perfect

for us.

I'm looking for things we can do this summer to make it 

feel a little more normal & maybe even like summer.

So far my plan was just a lot of popsicles so the list is slowly

growing!

*I think I should of added band-aids to the above art.

My son is really clumsy so, I know that will part of the bike rides.

I'm happy he doesn't let that stop him!

Fiesta Fabric Collection

I have a new fabric collection with Windham Fabrics called FIESTA.

When they selected this theme over a year ago no one knew how ominous it might feel today.

Seems like death has been brought front & center lately.

I've felt an ongoing sense of mourning and an awakened sense that this one life

we get is precious.

None of this is what the collection is about.  It is designed to be fun, vibrant  & playful

 with a nod to Day of the Dead.

(but, when you make something it's hard not to reflect on the space you're in today)

I hope this collection inspires you to make something that stirs your spirit

& lifts you up.  *Happy sewing & please consider making a mask for you & your loved ones.

We remember

Painted with gouache in my sketchbook.  Between Memorial Day & the rising death toll due to Covid -19 my heart is feeling heavy.  It seems easier to look away but, memories hold on tight & root deep in the heart. (and maybe that's what it means to be alive?)

WEATHER

Every Friday for the past 4 weeks I've been on the Chick-fil-A Facebook

page for story time.  Each week I've read one of my Hello, World!

books. I've paired each week's reading with a coloring page that corresponds with the book.

This week was WEATHER.

(Incase you were wondering my favorite weather is sunny & warm!)

Chick-fil-A has been offering scaled down versions of some of my

books as part of their kids meal.  It's been a great way to get my books

into even more little hands.

Here's all the coloring pages we've made so far.

(I say we because my husband Antonio spend a good chunk of time 

tracing my art in Photoshop to lovingly make each page.)

You can download these pages by following the link in my

Instagram header. Each page is 8 x 10" so a standard printer does the trick.

Add a little color & voila!

Coloring is a great indoor activity & I hope you ENJOY.

*Remember coloring outside the lines is just fine! 

Sometimes even better  :)

ONLINE BLUEPRINT Show

I designed the poster for the ONLINE BLUEPRINT show that starts tomorrow.

It was originally scheduled to be in NYC but, due to the circumstances it will

be online. (which is a smart solution)

If you're an art director or a buyer you can sign up to see my collection by 

clicking here  to set up a time for a virtual viewing.

(with simple directions online for scheduling)

There's lots of great artists & studios participating so, 

if you're looking for art please take a look.

THANKS!

Floral Frolic

Painted with watercolor in my mini- sketchbook.

Adorned with a few flowers gathered on my morning walk.

Solar System coloring page

I've been on the Chick-fil-A Facebook page for their story time feature.

Each Friday I read one of my Hello, World! books.  Today, I'm reading Solar System, which I've paired with the above coloring page.

To download visit my Instagram page & hit the link in my header.

 I've added a new coloring page based off what I read 

during each story time.

Get your crayons ready...these are the pages that are available so far.

ENJOY & happy coloring!

Keep Going

I love the feeling of the wind in my hair!

Summer is around the corner.  (Which makes me happy!)

Leave Room for DREAMS

Are you feeling worn down by the relentless Covid-19 situation?

Me too!  Here's a gentle reminder to leave room for dreams,

as beautiful & bright as you can imagine!

(and then some...)

Happy Mother's Day

Amen!  Well at least most of the time–

we're human after all!

*Wishing all the MOM's a moment of peace & thanks for all you do.

(we're growing the future & that's no small task)

Teatime

Hot tea & a sprinkling of flowers, now that's a calming combo!

Weekend Doodle

What are you up to day?

Just a reminder–it's SATURDAY and

it's a good day for a GOOD DAY!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e  n  j  o  y ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hello, World! coloring page

I made some Hello, World! coloring pages to correspond with some story time readings I'm doing for Chick-fil-A story time.  Each Friday from now until May 22nd I'll be reading a new

Hello, World! book starting with Backyard Bugs.

To hear me read visit the Chick-fil-A Facebook page.

To download a coloring page visit my Instagram page & hit the Dropbox like in my header.

Hope you're hanging in there & that you enjoy a little story time some coloring fun!