Going UP!

Today is my birthday I'm 44.

As I get older I think about the past year.  Was I big enough, bold

enough, did I let people close to me know I love them-

am I proud of how I used my time?

I tend to limit myself to what I think I'm good at,

what I've done before so, this year I'm going to work

on not limiting myself.  I got a little taste of this over the last couple years with writing the Hello, World! books. (with some help from an awesome editor)

I thought this was an impossible task for me but, have surprised myself & done it. 

Which feels good!

Moving forward I'll just let go & see where that leads....  

Unless, it leads to a hot air balloon which I'm definitely NOT getting into!

Perhaps, a plane... I'd like to travel more.

MWAH!

Did you know it's National Lipstick Day?  There seems to be a day for EVERYTHING!

Somehow lipstick I can get behind.  I don't wear a lot of makeup but, before a conference or new client phone call I put on a bold shade. (I know they can't see me) Somehow it makes me feel more confident.  We all have our things....

Ride ON

Into the summer weekend- WEEEEE!

Chameleon Art Products

Chameleon Art Products reached out to see if I'd like to be part of World Watercolor Month.

In return they offered to send me a deluxe set of their Color Tones Markers & Color Tops (that can boost the color in different ways)

The Color Tone Markers have a thin tip on one side & brush tip on the other.

There's also a colorless blender on each marker that helps create a gentle painted effect.

You gently touch the tip & the magic happens.

This was my son's favorite part. (He's 11 & they are appropriate for the age.)

Each marker opens 3 different ways which can take some getting use to.

What I'm showing above is how I started to play & get a better understanding of what these

markers can do.  The colors are vibrant & using the smaller sized Color Tops can create

some cool effects depending on the marker you touch it to.

Like any new art supply these took some time to gain familiarity & confidence with.

Once you do they're lots of fun & really convent for travel.

(when it's hard to lug around paints, water & palettes)

Hello, World! MOON LANDING

About two years ago my wonderful editor at Random House Children's Books

approached me about writing & illustrating a book to commemorate the 50 year

anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission.

I quickly said YES, then realized I knew nothing about the first trip to the moon.

(YIKES!)

Researching MOON LANDING was fascinating & overwhelming.  

NASA was attempting so many firsts and so many crucial things had to go right to bring the 

3 astronauts home safely.

My favorite thing about making books is the opportunity to learn something new.

When writing for toddlers you need a clear understanding of something- often

times complicated & the ability to accurately boil it down to something concise yet informative.

This weekend marks the official 50 year anniversary of Apollo 11, first man of the moon.

I was so touched by how our country (and the world) rallied behind this spectacular voyage.

Families gathered around televisions to be part of this landmark step forward.

Exploration, innovation, bravery, and teamwork are worth celebrating!

And proof that dreaming big can get you anywhere.

Here's to exploring the world around you & beyond.

Serenade

It's the sweet sounds of FRIDAY!

Cut Paper Forest

As close as I'm getting to camping this summer!

I love a walk through the woods just not an overnight.

Around the clock

Long live summer!

Pink Skies

Bird watching on pink!

(With a paisley & some flowers in-between.)

S-HELLO!

A playful seahorse, seashell spread in my sketchbook.

Complete with bad pun.  Not sure how my mind thinks up these

things but, it's kind of fun!

Independence Day

Some red, white & blue for the 4th of July.  

And, some pink because diversity is good!

Painted GARDEN

She breathes in dirt and exhales flowers.

-Ava Lorde Harris

Hello, July!

Welcoming July with the Sophie melon. (my beloved Frenchie)  She's very photogenic & if you pat her belly it sounds like a sweet, ripe, watermelon!

She doesn't last long in the heat so, after this picture it was straight home to her favorite summer spot-right on top the air conditioner vent.