Thankyou, lovers of Storybooks

      
 I have had the privilege  of meeting literally thousands of kind folk who have purchased my books and artwork over the past 5 years.

  During my signings, I have cuddled  new babies, instructed 6 year olds  on how to draw a bunny a squirrel and a mouse, discussed illustration with hopeful future artists, nodded in agreement with librarians about the demise of the Caldecott, found kinship in a shared love for favorite illustrators, listened in rapt interest of someone's treasured trip to HILLTOP Farm, delighted in speaking with gramma's and pa's, aunties, uncles, and sisters from ALL walks of life.

One of my favorite memories is that of a great grand daughter who was on a Birthday outing with her " GRANPAP", it was HIS 90th birthday and she was buying him a gift of his choosing at this particular art show. Guess what he wanted?  A copy of HOPALONG JACK! It was simply delightful, signing a book to an older gentleman who's never lost his sense of humor or love for fantasy.

 This year, Hopalong Jack will go into its 7th printing and Bushky Bushybottom will go into its 4th.
That is reason to celebrate, HURRAH!!!!

I am constantly humbled and amazed at the wonderful feedback we get from some of you. But what I want to say is this:
THANK YOU, grandmothers and grandpas, for keeping alive, the  treasured gift of reading. 

Thank YOU, mothers and fathers of wee tots, for treating your little ones, (of all ages) to the world of imagination and beauty that can only be found in a good book.

Thank you aunts and sisters and "ladies of my age", who still have the "heart of a child" to enjoy the world of make -believe.
Thank YOU, young, hopeful artists, who want to create wonderful book illustration for the next generation to enjoy. Let's keep the ART of the Book alive! 

 Although I have made my living as an artist for over 30 years, my book adventure is fairly new, having published Hopalong Jack and the Blue Bunnies in late 2005. I never intended to create more than one book. But during the 2 years  I spent illustrating "Jack", I wrote 8 more stories to go along with him... and Hopalong Hollow was set in stone......or print.

The second book came along in 2008,

 

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 It was inspired by a little orphaned squirrel I raised....

His name was BUSHKY BUSHYBOTTOM.

 And now, I am finishing up book 3.

It isn't easy to be "on the road" 3 to 4 days a week, and it's even more difficult to paint while traveling. I sometimes feel a bit like a wandering Gypsy. If it weren't for my beloved Farm, here in the Hollow, and my blessed rock of a husband, I would simply flutter in the wind.

 So, when my last show is fini this year...(only 4 to go!,), I will be able to stay HOME and spend those next 3 months finishing the painting for all 36 pages of Illustration in "Mamsey Bear and Mopkin."
Ah, home sweet home....

SOON, I will be able to tell those of you who have asked me " Is book 3 finished yet??"  YES!!!

 So, once again,  a heartfelt thank you to those of you who have come to book signings and art shows and  county fairs to get a signed book. It's been a pleasure to meet you! And another  thanks to those whom I have never met, but who have purchased books online, or enjoyed as a gift.

One thing we all have in common is this: The love of a good book.
 "Once upon a time...."