“I have this idea for a children’s book, but how do I get it published?” I have heard this so many times over the past few years — from dear friends and family, family members of childhood friends, girlfriends of ex-boyfriends :), blog friends, students, and strangers. I am no expert on this. My own [...]

This week was a tough one. We all have Spring colds and felt pretty miserable. On the positive side, Tulsi and I got 24-7 snuggle time for about 5 days straight. :) Today we all began to feel a wee bit more like our normal selves. This afternoon Tulsi and I sat side by side, [...]

Above: Tracy McGuiness and her son Roy, at work on a mural at Roy’s school in the U.K. Eight years ago when I was first in Nepal volunteering at Sunshine School, the students and I created a 60′ mural in their playground on a brick wall. I didn’t have any paint supplies and ALL that [...]

A couple months ago, I received this incredibly beautiful book, Nurturing Walls, from a, somewhat abstract, internet friend in India (hee. I love that we live in a time that we all have these ‘friends’ out there who we’ve never met but love that they exist in space and in our lives :) ) What [...]

It happened! For real. Five of us children’s book authors and illustrators gathered up at our homestead for our “first annual kid’s book retreat”. I originally got the idea for this last winter when hearing about a women’s creative workshop at a remote and inspiring lake-cabin location. Considering time, finances, Tulsi, and the idea that [...]

a sweet, still moment from a recent visit to the Lama Foundation nearby. these mountains ground me in a way i’ve never felt prior. i am so grateful for living in such a beautiful place with endless inspiration. So, remember that cigar box I’ve been stuffing with story fragments scribbled on note cards? I laid [...]

Continuing the conversation about being a full-time mama and an artist…  I’ve thought a lot this past year about how to merge the two. It seemed strange to keep Tulsi completely separate from my art, especially since a lot of my illustration+books are kid related, and she is inspiring so many new ideas. While I [...]

My dear friend Kelly Buntin Johnson beaded this beautiful umbilical turtle fetish for Tulsi. Both the turtle and her poem are a rare gift and blessing — I had to share it! If you don’t know Kelly’s art, you must. It is powerful, beautiful and heart-full. Kelly told me last Spring that she wanted to [...]

New mama or not. Teeny pockets of time or more time than you know what to do with. Scared like crazy or feelin’ brave. Bouncin’ or flyin’. Exhausted or wide awake. Deadline or not. In the studio or in the kitchen. Saying you’re sorry. Saying I love you. Asking for help. Consoling a baby. Writing [...]

A sweet smelling bouquet of dried lavender from Guinnias at Apifera Farm. My new, favorite lotus necklace that Pamela made. (Patrick gave it to me for Christmas) My odd talent, “I can look in two directions at once”, illustrated by the awesome Sarah Watts in her new comic series. Sandra’s super fun horse mobile she [...]