
I can see it, Tulsi can, too. The light at the end of this long tunnel of a journey to finish the book I keep telling her I’m making for her. My mom is here this week and is helping me SO so much so I can paint, paint, paint. This is such a gift! THANK YOU, MOM! I was remembering tonight when I was in gradeschool and highschool…my mom would sit up LATE with me, helping me finish elaborate, ambitious art projects due the next day. She still ‘gets’ what my art means to me and is helping me late into the night…she’s up in the loft now as I work til midnight. (Sorry if I’m keeping you up, Mom.)
I just finished another spread. 3 more to go! Just cleaned a completely trashed studio and have the next illustration drawn up ready to paint tomorrow. Tulsi is sound asleep with a full milk belly, and I’m gonna go soak my achy toes now under the stars and watch the lightening storm out in the distant West. Hope you, too, are surrounded by supportive people who ‘help’ you make art (or do whatever it is you love to do.)
Above: my new studio intern I’ve always wanted. Below: a page in my process sketchbook for the illustration I just finished.

August 23rd, 2009 at 3:32 am
I bet that pretty little intern has great pointers on composition and color! :)
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 am
oh Kerin, she is teaching me SO much! and all she wants in return is milk and love… :)
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
milk and love…how simple…and yet, what more could anyone want!?!
August 24th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Oh, I am so glad you are turning the corner on your new book! That is a wonderful feeling.
And I feel the same way about my mom. She is the best art director I have ever had.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:43 am
A big hooray for moms! :)
Tulsi is the sweetest thing! I just love her big blue eyes. ;)
August 26th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Thinking of you. It’s such a special time but also a real challenge to manage two labors of love, art & baby. You always find a way.(but it can leave you tired) Looking forward to seeing your new book!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
thanks, Jill! and someday, when you aren’t too tired, maybe you could post about this balance. you seem to do it so incredible with your art/business and Luca! i’d love to hear your reflections… btw, we’ll be in KC in mid october. maybe tulsi and i could visit you and Luca at your studio for a short visit?
August 27th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
yeah! y’all know and appreciate mom-power! my mom so rocks. we had the sweetest time ever. it was priceless really…
August 31st, 2009 at 10:30 am
Would LOVE you & Tulsi to visit us at the studio. Send me an e-mail we’ll make it a date.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
If I could just get my 83 year old mom to move the rams and do the sheep shots/foot trims for breeding season….hmmm, maybe it could work out. Glad your enjoying Tulsi and I think when we’re busiest, and fullest, we focus in the smaller amounts of time we have [books are different though, aren't they, the flow can get sort of disjointed when one has to stop and go on it].
September 17th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Jenny,
I just found your site and I love your artwork and sense of humor. Just out of curiosity, what kind of media do you use for your colored work?
Akemi
September 17th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hi Jenny,
I’m sure looking forward to your next book! I love your mom and don’t even know her. As I have shared with you before, my mom was and is my biggest cheerleader, even now at 83, riding out over 50 years with multiple sclerosis. We’re both lucky!
Best to you,
Sherry Artemenko
September 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Jenny, you are definitely a rockstar!
Your blog is awesome.
Doug
September 20th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Awwwe. Look at her little bracelet! I can’t wait to see the new book!
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:03 am
Hi Jenny Sue,
What an awesome site you have here, I linked to it 2 hours ago from Seth Godin and it’s hard to get away.
Your birthing story is so moving, I have just written a book about the journey of my six births and it is about to be published and your story reminded me of so much more about my births that I didn’t tell. The 1st was 40 years ago, so time gave me an overview, but you took me back. Thank you. Would you mind if I put a link to your site in my book. Blessings Helen
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am
hi Helen, so nice to read your comment and hear of your birthing book! i really look forward to reading your stories — let me know when it’s published. every birth is so totally unique and mysterious! i’m happy you’ve enjoyed my site and birth story, too. and yes, a link would be so nice. thank you!
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
hi Akemi, thanks for visiting and sharing your site — i look forward to exploring it when time opens up for me more. (so much mama-baby time now!) as for my art, i work in mixed media — acrylics (watered down like water colors), colored pencil, crayons, ink, and collage and matte medium.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
thanks Sherry! so nice to hear from you. JAI MA! (my translation of this sanskrit phrase is “YAY TO THE MOTHER!” so yay for our moms, where would we be without them? we are so lucky!