sunrise.

Patrick woke me up this morning whispering, “Jenny, go outside into the tub and watch the sunrise. It’s amazing.” This is a glimpse of that beauty — as much as my camera could take in.

Upon stepping outside, fifteen hens came speed-waddling down the mud-frozen garden trail to give a cheerful “good morning” and Little Red Rooster jumped up onto the gate and crowed his own humble salutations. I love my chickens. I can attribute countless smiles to their company. It was warm (for January) with the kind of breeze that reminds me of just before a Midwest thunderstorm. (It’s interesting how a lot of nostalgia I feel for places and periods of my life are directly related to weather/seasons/nature). While I soaked, the clouds shapeshifted from a whale to two ducks to an elephant to a dragon. If I looked away for 5 seconds, the sky was already telling a different story. During the first few months after Tulsi was born, this was my morning ritual after she nursed at 5 am, to step outside and submerge in water and watch the sky. I have been staying up late in my studio for so long and sleeping in and missing this, I thought, my absolute favorite moment of the day. This year, I want to breathe this in more.

This morning I was remembering how refreshing the sunrise feels. It is such a magical moment, so pure, such awe. It makes me feel at peace. Soft yet strong, grounded, content. And intoxicated…like when I read Rumi or Hafiz’s poems inspired purely by their love for the Divine. Do you know what I mean? Perhaps something else makes you feel this same way. Another poet or musician or place…

With the new year (a magnified sunrise), I’ve been giving a lot of thought to where I’d like to place my attention, personally and with my art, what I’d like to practice deeper, what I’d like to invite more into my life. And after two friends shared this book with me recently, this is what resonates… to practice mindfulness. Daily. I can appreciate where I am very mindful and also where I’m not. I want to “work” at it. In the smallest tasks and in bigger goals, in playing, in mothering, in partnering, in conversations, in words I choose and how I release them, in relating to friends and clients, in moving my body, in creating art and in writing stories, in loving, and in prayer.

It sounds so simple here, and yet I know it is the most profound practice. It is also the perfect thing for my art with my wild-doer mind that can get distracted by too many ideas or feel overwhelmed or watching others doing super-human things (hee). Really, it always comes back to not being in the present moment.

And what else for 2012? …so I can look back and reflect next January… to spend as much time as possible OUTside playing with my family, to grow and preserve more food, to bring a major project to completion, and to write and practice yoga daily for even just 5 minutes. There. I wrote it. YES, yes, YES!

Cheers to all of you for a soulful 2012 and to whatever it is you are practicing, loving, creating.

Posted in everyday | 4 Comments »

Those 52 hours apart.

A couple days ago, Tulsi pulled a piece of paper and a few new markers out of her “Christmas Calendar” we made together (more on this soon), and the note read, “You are an artist. Your art makes people smile. Make a picture for Nama and Tapas and mail it to them.” She was SUPER excited and wanted to get right to work just moments after climbing out of our cozy bed. She stared at the paper and said, “Me don’t know what to draw,” and I suggested, “You could draw a picture from the time you were with them when I went to New York City.”

Tulsi stayed with my parents for a whoppin’ 52 hours while I went to NYC for the children’s book art show, etc., and I can’t tell you how much my heart and head ran around with this decision before I made it (supported by Patrick and my parents). Some of you might not think a couple of days is a big deal, but it was huge for me. And for Tulsi. We had not spent more than 5 hours apart since the first day of her life, when we’d been separated seconds after her traumatic birth. So it was not an easy decision. Would she feel secure that I would come back? How would she sleep? Would she be distant from me after? And of course, I worried about something happening to either one of us. I know it might sound silly to some mothers who have already grown through the early years, but as a mother, I know your whole heart and being are in every present moment, and you feel each phase fully. It is “everything” in that moment. I knew ultimately she’d be ok, but of course I still questioned if it was necessary. And when some friends quickly responded, “It’s fine — growing pains are good for her,” I cringed and hesitated even more. I mean, she’s only 2 1/2. I didn’t want to force growing pains — or push her to grow up faster than she needs to. But the more I felt into it, I knew I needed to go to NYC for me, and well, it’s a big step for a mama to ‘take time’ for herself. It’s always easy to put that aside for later.

And so I went. And she stayed. And she wailed when I left (but for a mere 30 seconds my mom said), and I cried in line at the airport, too. In an instant, I was on my own, and it was odd. I didn’t know what to do with my hands. Or how to walk. There was an open space. And even though Tulsi was on my mind a lot, I breathed deep and appreciated my mind and back relaxing. I had lunch at a sidewalk cafe with an old friend and a sweet dinner with two mama-friends, relating in that mama-to-mama way, with a glass of wine. It felt slightly like a forced vacation (albeit work), but I was happy I went. Tulsi learned to walk like a penguin, that monkeys like hammocks, too, and she learned all about baseball.

When it came to night, I didn’t sleep much at all. My mom said Tulsi didn’t sleep well either and that she rocked her a lot of the night. I loved that my mom said she didn’t mind at all, because she knew it helped Tulsi feel secure, and I immediately wondered if my mom misses those rocking-her-babies days, like I know I will miss someday.

As I watched Tulsi draw Nama and her, and describe all the details, I knew how important those 52 hours were, for her, too: ”This is Nama holding me like a baby, rocking me. Her arms stretched out. She has boobies. I have nipples. She has a belly button. I have a belly button.” She drew both their eyes wide open and said they ”were looking at each other”. And then she colored purple over her own face and said, “Me close my eyes and sleep with Nama. She hold me like a baby.”

What a beautiful moment, a gift, that she will always carry with her, that came from those 52 hours, and my own letting go. I know it has strengthened their connection, too. All 3 of them. As for Tapas (my dad), she drew the photo below and said, “Tapas is funny.” :) Like my note to Tulsi, I’m sure her pictures will make my parents happy.

Posted in kid art, mamahood | 4 Comments »

3 new Archival Prints added to my shop!

These are 3 of 52 paintings I created this Summer for The Mother’s Wisdom Deck, due out May 2012.

For those of you who have not finished your holiday shopping and creating, I just added 3 new archival prints to my shop: Tree of Life, Surrender, and Mother Ocean. Each one is printed on beautiful archival Somerset paper and is titled and signed.

I’ve also reduced nearly all items and have FREE shipping on ALL items in my shop for December! Use the code “FREESHIP”.

ART is always a unique, fun gift to share with someone! OR, give to yourself!

Posted in for sale | 2 Comments »

SSBD Reprint!

So while I was on the road, my editor delivered the COOOOLEST news! First, SSBD was printed in both Japanese and Korean. AND Second, SSBD went into its second printing after just 4 weeks in the U.S.! I received this photo of spreads as they came off the press in NJ — which is doubly exciting that my book is NOW being printed in the US. I have to say, the color is SO vibrant!

To celebrate, I’m signing and sending two books out from here WAY back in May (sorry, I’m late with this). The names I drew are: Kati and Jenn, who I’ll be emailing. Yay! I hope you and your sweet wee ones enjoy the book. More Same, Same but Different giveaways are happening online from now until the end of the year so keep your eyes open. :) Illustration Friday is hosting the first one here but hurry — it ends this evening (Monday).

Thanks for all of your shared excitement and support everyone!

Posted in same same but different, school visits + events | 1 Comment »

booktour highlights, fun news and book giveaway winners!

Brace yourself, my book tour was long and so is this post. (But fun!)

In a little over a month, I read at ten bookstores and libraries, gave 17 school presentations and 4 skype sessions, and I think it went great. I planned the events myself, and most of the school visits were arranged by bookstores. NONE of it would have been possible without a very, very long list of generous, loving friends, energetic librarians and teachers, my supportive agents, several amazing independent bookstore “families”, and my own family. And I owe countless kisses and hugs to Tulsi, who was my sweet-n-steady compadre.

After a rockin’ first event in Taos at Twirl Toystore with my parents, friends and masala chai, we hit the road. Here are some highlights and lessons learned:

- It’s best to set up events where you have friends or family! (for me, Taos, Boulder, KC, Omaha, and St. Louis)

- Choosing scenic towns for events is a NICE balance to bigger cities. Durango and Boulder were peaceful yet funky, inspiring places with interesting people (and some of the best hiking!)

- A Two-author event is GREAT energy, draws good crowds, and it takes a lot of pressure off sharing the spotlight. Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, CO invited Uma Krishnaswami and I to do a joint storyhour for our new books. Uma’s YA novel, The Grand Plan To Fix Everything (a sparkly, whimsical tale about two friends in the US and India), and Same, Same but Different, complimented each other perfectly. They were, um, same, same but different. :) It is also interesting and helpful to watch how other authors/illustrators present. Uma baked samosas and Patrick brewed up some masala kid-chai — a fabulous and a sweet detail to the day.

- It’s natural to be ambitious and want to “do” all these things for events (craft, bake treats, brew chai, show slides, etc.), but really, it’s just too much (on my own) and events go by so quickly. It was fun to mix it up and try different things, but when I finally let go of trying to do so much, I felt more energetic and had more fun.

- I laughed when I walked into the Boulder Bookstore and saw my book/photo side-by-side with Jon Scieszka! He’s been an inspiration to me for years, and he’s currently the US Ambassador of Children’s Books! I was bummed we couldn’t stay for his talk as I had another event in Denver.

- Sometimes you’ll have huge crowds and sell out of books, other events might be a few people, but if you go with an attitude of simply wanting to share and connect with others, then every one will be worth it! One REALLY sweet reading was at a library in Omaha with two families and 4 kids!

- If you don’t know, I lived in Kansas City, MO for 9 years and have incredibly dear friends from school and my Hallmark days. Another huge lure to KC — my favorite kids bookstore of all time is there: Reading Reptile, created and nourished by Deb and Pete Cowdin and their five children. It is a wild, free-spirited, dream world with secret passageways and an amazing book selection to feed your soul.

- I was pretty giddy when we walked in the store and saw this display. Thank you to all my friends who filled the store that night and left Pete with empty shelves, and me with a FULL heart.  (And thanks especially to Debbie and Laura and Laura who entertained Tulsi while I showed slides and read and signed books!

- Tulsi kept yelling out names of her favorite books and book-characters sculpted larger than life from glossy-painted paper mache. Max! Hungry Caterpillar! The man with caps! To this SWEET girl at the bottom, she shouted, “FORTUNE COOKIES!” — a newish book we adore, by RR’s own Albert Bitterman (aka Pete Cowdin), illustrated by Chris Raschka!

How I’d love to have a paper mache character from one of my books roaming their store some day :) Hmmm…I’m smiling remembering this one from my sister’s school a few years ago (that is still hanging at the school!)

- Another highlight was visiting my sister and her family in Omaha. We live far away, so I treasure every time we get together. She is not only the best big sister and friend, but she is a huge support.  Her school gifted over 200 books to students with perfect-attendance!! Many of the kids are from Mexico, and English is their second language, so I think they related to the book in a unique way. Tulsi and I spent a day at their school visiting with the kids and signing books. How awesome is this photo?!

- While in Omaha, I teamed up with my pal Laura Huliska-Beith for storyhour at The Bookworm. Laura and I have been friends since she was my supervisor at Hallmark and we were in a children’s book writing group together. I am a big fan of Laura’s art and books, and again, I LOVED the energy of a two-author, two-book event! She read The Adventures of Granny Clearwater by Kimberly Willis Holt, that she illustrated with fabrics, stitching and collage (AWESOME, btw).

- Laura had given me advice (prior to my tour) to read like I do with Tulsi at home (spontaneous conversation, etc., mixed in) and with each event, I relaxed and the book became more alive. I played with adding props (bells and musical instruments), animal calls (in English and Hindi! and sometimes Spanish at schools), memories from my travels, bindis, sarees (Indian dresses) and questions. All of this made the reading interactive and playful.

- Another stop was my hometown of St. Louis during the week of the World Series. I’m still thankful that the Cardinals won (so folks were in a grand mood) AND my event landed on a no-game day! It was pretty dreamy reading my book to a huge crowd filled with my parents, family, cousins, aunties, uncles, my highschool art and creative writing teachers (and their families), and loads of friends from gradeschool, highschool and summer camp — AND, all of their kiddos! I really loved the one-on-one visits with everyone while signing books.

- My friend Kerry, who was a camp counselor with me years ago, came with her partner Heena (from India) and their daughter Neah. It nearly made me cry when Heena stood up after I read and said how much she loved the book and captured the spirit of India (and that I sung the alphabet perfectly)! What a compliment coming from a Native of India. I also loved hearing Heena and Neah speaking Hindi!

- Many independent bookstores will arrange school visits for authors and illustrators. I visited with groups as small as 25 and as large as 350. (I prefer 25-60 student range as it’s more intimate.) Alexis O’Neill has a treasure blog of advice that helped me prepare! She is so generous with sharing her experiences. I’ll be revisiting her blog again and again. Below is a picture Jessica made me after I visited her school in St. Louis.

- All of my school visits were so unique! One especially memorable day was at the United Nations International School in NYC. I visited with 250 kids in grades K-2nd that represented 98 different countries in the world! Think about it some more. There are only ‘about’ 195 countries in the world — Read more about the actual number here. UNIS was magical and bursting with joy. I heard many languages in the hallways. Every teacher I met was from another country. In every grade, there were kids born in India or who were Indian and sang the Hindi alphabet with me! Some students had Nepali nannies. And the kids had this worldly spirit that glowed on all of their faces. I just LOVED meeting each of them and asking, “Where are you from?” The kids really grooved on Same, Same but Different, too. After all, they LIVE it, every day, mixed togethe and celebrating ALL of their unique cultures, talents and loves. The kids were full of energy and curiosity and peace. I felt incredibly honored to be their guest. When I meet kids, I love imagining how each of them will positively contribute to the world someday.

Tulsi and I are super happy to be home now. The tour was a TON of work and quite exhausting, but it was rewarding in way more ways (as you can see).

Posted in same same but different, travel | 4 Comments »

Yeah, Baby! Blue eggs!

It happened! Bluegreen eggs are in the house! Frida and Rosie, the matriarchs of our fanciful flock of 17 and steady brown-eggers themselves (pictured above), are not sure what to think quite yet. But WE are excited. For anyone who wonders if FRESH homegrown, free-range organic eggs taste different, I can attest — it is night and day different. The 5$ organic eggs at the store don’t even come close to these. I’m talking solid, rich tumeric-colored yolks inside thick shells that are naturally salty. As Tulsi summed it up after eating an entire egg by herself (a giant feat for her!), “Egg Power!” Thanks, Ladies!

Posted in homesteading | 1 Comment »

Timelessness.

A sweet morning walk in the snow. Tulsi leading the way. Sticks and snow-doodles, snowbows and glitter. Climbing up snow mountains and sliding down the other side. And at some point, I said “This reminds me of a book!” And Tulsi yelled back from up ahead, “A Snowy Day!” and picked up a clump of snow to save in her pocket for later. Amen for timeless books like The Snowy Day by Jack Ezra Keats! The genius is in recognizing something so simple and beautiful and knowing just how to make it into a book.

Here is a link to a bit of the book’s history and significance in the children’s book world.

Posted in picture books | 1 Comment »

I want to go to School in India!

Pretty much anyone who knows me, knows I have a big heart-connection with India and Nepal. It happens pretty often that I hear a song, hear someone speaking Hindi or Nepali, or see a photograph from a close friend who is presently in India or has just returned, and I get this overwhelming urge to go. And to go soon. It consumes my mind and that hollow space between my ribs. And it takes a good week or two for it to subside, a little.

I recently shared with some students that when you travel to a place and stay for a period of time, you make friends unlike any other. These friends are instantly your family, and sometime after you return home — it could be a month or it could be year later — you start to feel an ache in your gut. Or maybe it’s your heart. And you don’t know how to sooth it because you don’t really know what it is or where it’s coming from. You are home. You’re with your family. Then why do you feel homesick?

While I was in NYC, I was a guest author/illustrator at the United Nations Junior School. (MORE on this soon — it is an extraordinary place!!) As I was saying goodbye, the principal casually mentioned a book called Going To School in India — that I would like it. I ordered it from somewhere above the clouds at 20,000 ft, and it was waiting for me when I got home. And instantly, a tidal wave of longing drenched me in the sweetest way.

Tulsi and I have been singing our way through it. Seriously. With some books, she insists on “singing it” instead of reading it. And when we opened this book for the first time, she said, “SING IT MAMA!” And so I did, and she did, too. The book is alive. It moves, smells, twirls, and dances. The kids sing and shout, giggle and gaze straight into your eyes. They invite you into their world and demand your attention.

I love it. The creators have gone on to start goingtoschool.com and inspire children all throughout India to go to school and manifest their dreams, as well as sharing their stories with children all over the world with movie-shorts. WOW. Right?

Posted in india, picture books | 1 Comment »

NYC Part 1: The Original Art Show

So last week, I spent a whoppin’ 48 hours in NYC. It was sort of a blur, as it sounds, and I have to admit, very strange without Tulsi with me (she stayed in St. Louis with grandparents she adores). Still, The Original Art Show (the initial motivation for my excursion) was an awesome experience! — the two floors of the gallery were wall-to-wall with children’s book illustrators, editors, art directors, agents, students, and admirers of picture books. I went with my editor and two artist friends, which made it extra fun! I met several illustrators whose work I adore, and they were so friendly and open. We divulged some of our odd tools and mediums and choice places to dumpster-dive for collage material. I discovered new artists, too.

I am not embarrassed to say I had several moments of being emotionally overwhelmed during the night. It was dreamy! I got choked up when they played Tomi Ungerer‘s acceptance video for the Lifetime Achievement Award from his home in France (we are big fans of Mr. Ungerer’s Moon Man and Crictor and more). He is just as charming as his books! Ok, even more. :) Robert McCloskey (another book creator we love) also received the Lifetime Achievement Award, accepted by his daughters. Lane Smith, Kadir Nelson and Rosalyn Schanzer were award winners, too, and WELL deserved! What an honor to be included in this incredibly talented crowd! I was in awe, and of course humbled, and gratefully energized and inspired.

I did not have my camera, only my ipod, and I only managed to snap a handful of pieces. Still, I thought you’d enjoy these and wandering the artists’ websites. Top row: Melissa Sweet: Balloons Over Broadway, Carin Berger: The Green Mother Goose. 2nd Row: Oliver Jeffers: STUCK, William Joyce: The Man in the Moon, David Wiesner: ART&MAX, Calef Brown: His Shoes Were Far Too Tight, Tom Lichtenheld: Cloudette. Bottom Row: me :) from Same, Same but Different and yes, that is me on a subway — so different then the forest! Seeing original book art makes me want to create more books. And to experiment with medium, scale and even create some images with collage alone.

As you can imagine, I want to get ALL the books featured in the show for my library! Ha. Patrick would cut my credit card in half for sure! I did, however, purchase a few, and I am madly in love with them! I highly recommend these:  Melissa Sweet’s Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, Lane Smith’s Grandpa Green, Maurice Sendak’s Bumble Ardy, and Jon Klassen‘s I Want My Hat Back. Really though, if you are interested, GO SEE THE SHOW! AND, check out the list of artists/books featured!

The show is up until the end of the year at the Society of Illustrators in NYC. I think the show is such a gift to the public — not only fellow illustrators, but to kids and parents. To view the book as the art it is, adds a whole new dimension and appreciation to the artist and art form!

Posted in illustration, picture books, school visits + events | 4 Comments »

Happy to be HOME.

Hello out there! Anyone still listening? :) After a fun, whirlwind month-long book tour, including 12 bookstore and library events, 25 presentations at schools, 8 cities, and 48 hours in NYC, this mama and daughter are HAPPY to be back home with Papa Bear, in our sweet world full of hidden funny faces and magical blue skies. Tulsi is all about making pictures on ANY surface. Even I am her canvas! Ha. Yes, that is my leg below. And the drawing on the right is Tulsi’s portrait of me wearing 2 hats with a ball on top, and the colors to the upper right are “a wild rainbow rain”!

More posts coming about the past month!

Posted in everyday | 5 Comments »