Bird bouquet

I'm inspired by the noisy morning chirps, and pops of spring color

that are starting to show.

Over in the Meadow

It's starting to feel like spring which seemed like the right time to share

Over in the Meadow a book I illustrated many years ago.

It's a sweet sing along that happens in a happy meadow filled with creatures

you can count.  All set to a tune you can't get out of your head.

Take a look!

Simple spring joys

I love to paint and....

pick flowers.  Later this month there will be 

a smorgasbord of options.  But, for now I'm focusing on daffodils!

Lightening UP

Spring has sprung & it's exciting to wake up to lighter layers.

No more bulky sweaters & the hot tea will soon turn into ice tea!

Hello, World! book series

Look at what just landed at Barnes & Noble... a toddler friendly display holding my Hello, W🌎RLD early learning book series! Being an author was something I never thought I could do. Get married someday, yes. Be a mom, yes. Be an artist, yes. But, write a series of books, no way! I’m dyslexic & throughout my school years I felt like a failure for my reading and writing skills. My brain sees letters that jump around the page & it’s frustrating for me to smoothly piece them together. 
Growing up in the early 80’s dyslexia programs were not readily available in my school. I found myself leaning into art & falling behind in what was called “language arts”. About five years ago I got an email from an editor at Doubleday Books. She saw a piece of Solar System art I made & was curious if I’d be interested in writing & illustrating some early learning books. I knew this was a great opportunity (something I’d dreamed of) but, I also thought I wasn’t a writer because I’m dyslexic.
Despite that I decided this was something I needed to try.
I knew writing these books would be a big challenge for me. (Yes, even for a board book with limited text.) Having a generous, smart editor has helped successfully guide me through the process & taught me volumes along the way. 
I’m so happy I said yes to this opportunity! Hello, W🌎RLD! continues to grow across the globe & it’s delightful to see toddlers learning & enjoying this series.
Feels so good to overcome a fear & share your talent with others. THANKS!

Wild & Free

Go ahead...ruffle some feathers!

(beautiful quote from Henry David Thoreau)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Who knows what you'll find at the end of the rainbow?

Let's do it...

Some motivation to chart your course!

Blooms Soon

Cue chirping birds.

It's finally starting to feel like spring!

International Women's Day

Hi, beautiful- Happy International Women's Day!

I love the way strong, confident women lift others up.

Like everything in life it's a decision to not feel threatened & spread encouragement

& our wisdom with others.  Strong women understand that it's really not worth the

time to gossip or play petty games.  I'm grateful for the strong, boss status ladies in my life in the past & today.  They form who we are & what we can become!

A Peek Inside My Mind

Here's the cover to my blurb book from a couple years ago.

I liked the idea of letting people take a little peek into my mind.

Once you flip through the book you can get a feel for how I work.

Incase you're unfamiliar with a blurb book it's basically a portfolio

for an artist work in a book format. It doesn't need to include text but it can.

There's no set number of pages, or specific way to organize.  That's up to you!

This book ended up with 26 spreads and is a journey through animals, flowers,

some of my favorite sayings & lots of color!

Imaginary Shopping

Over another snowy, cold weekend I decided to partake in some imaginary shopping!

First a stop at the bookstore to check out some new titles, then a quick stop at the

turkish rug shop for a hit of pattern.  Next up the stationery shop to pick up some

thank you cards. (There's always someone to be thankful for.) Finally, a stroll down to the flower shop.  Because you deserve a colorful, fragrant bouquet!

The best part of this kind of shopping... it's not weather or budget prohibitive.

(yippee!)