I’m delighted to announce that I’ve completed illustrations on my FIFTH children’s book, Ellie’s Butterflies!
Head over to my “Books” page to see details — or check out my updated portfolio page, with a few new spreads included. It’s all very fresh, so I’ll let y’all know when we’ve got a projected publication date!
This was such a sweet and beautiful project to work on. When the author’s father was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia at the age of 61, she couldn’t find any children’s books to help her own children cope with what was going on with grandpa. All she could find were books about Alzheimer’s disease, and they just didn’t fit. I feel so honored that I was chosen to illustrate this book, which follows a young girl’s difficult and complicated emotions as she tries to connect with grandpa. The author is also going to donate a portion of the proceeds to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, and I am just so pleased to say I was a part of the creation of this beautiful book.
Meanwhile, Alphabet Adventures is gearing up for a launch party and Fly-in to the Boonies has been making the rounds at so many conferences, events, and signings that it’s making my head spin. Congrats to all of the authors I’ve worked with over these past years — I can’t believe I’ve seen FIVE of these babies from just concepts & ideas to fully illustrated, hard cover books that children are reading and enjoying. Five books in five years. Wowza.
And what’s next on my plate? Well, after a project is fully complete, I usually spend some weeks updating my website and portfolio, and then…? I’m a little torn right now. Start an online course to brush up on my digital skills? Send out promotional postcards to literary agencies and publishers? Or maybe it’s time to author & illustrate my OWN book — maybe brainstorm ideas for a middle grade graphic novel? It’s been awhile since I’ve done comic art — maybe it’s time for some lighthearted cartooning, a graphic memoir or another challenge like my Whole30 comic?
You know what? For now, I think I’ll catch up on laundry and give myself a break. That is, until my next project knocks on my door 🙂
Peace <3