signed copies of pashmina!

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I’m thrilled to share that you can now order signed copies of Pashmina from a wonderful local bookshop, Bel and Bunna here. Each book is signed and comes with a limited edition postcard! If you’re around Lafayette, you can get one in person and if not, no worries, she will ship it to you!

I met Bel at the Northern California Booksellers meeting back in November. She handed me her card and I noticed that her shop was only 20 minutes from where we live now in the East Bay. Then she mentioned they had a weekend story time. We went to a couple, our daughter played with legos and coloring sheets while listening to Bel read. We loved the welcoming and comfortable environment she created in her shop.

Recently, I received a few requests for signed copies of PASHMINA. I wanted to partner with a bookshop to meet these requests so I called her to see if she would be open to working to meet those requests. She was! Within one day she had books online and arrangements made with the local pack and ship.

I love being part of this industry for all the amazing people I’ve meet like Bel who are committed to supporting authors and stories.

The same association, NCIBA, that allowed me to meet Bel announced that PASHMINA is the middle grade book of the year!

I hope you have a wonderful week! ^_^

san francisco streets (and signing)

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My first custom illustration of the year and I was so happy with how it turned out!

I will be speaking and signing copies of PASHMINA at Books Inc (Laurel Village)  in San Francisco this Sunday. I hope to see you there!

Also, my comic Eggs was reprinted today in Mutha Magazine (appeared originally in the Nib).

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

speak to resist

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I hope that in a small way these free images can help others, continue the conversation and create community around the honest belief that we all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. I pull myself out of fear by reading, painting and writing. Stay strong, stay loud and keep resisting.

I’ve also made Spanish versions of each poster with the help of a friend who translated for me. You can find them here for free. Download and use in your home, school, or library.

We will get through this with love.

eagle beach

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I finished this custom illustration before the holidays. A sweet husband asked me to create art of his wife with their two dogs walking in Alaska. We had met last year when I was there for the Alaska Robotics Mini Con. I absolutely loved drawing her, their dogs and the beauty of snow capped mountains.

It’d been awhile since I completed my last commission partly due to schedule and partly because I held off on them. I stopped because I felt that I needed to personally know the person to create. There’s an intimacy in drawing a custom piece. I study the person’s photos, learn about them through a friend or partner.  And a few years ago, I wasn’t comfortable with the level of pressure that I placed upon myself when completing that task.

Now, I’m aware that my growth as an artist allows me to create these pieces with ease. Creating custom art is joyful and exciting. I learn about people, their love for each other and get a rare glimpse into their lives. It feels like I’m learning to love them through each email, photo and line I draw. Every sketch, painting, comic or illustration teaches me. Sometimes it’s technical – about anatomy or value. Sometimes it’s a challenge to draw an animal or environment I’ve never drawn before. In the case of commissions, it teaches me again and again that love is everywhere. In a photo, a story or in a drawing.

I hope you have a lovely week.

sent to slumber

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starting with love

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I painted this watercolor on New Year’s Eve… which has never meant much to me but it’s always nice to have a break. I’ve been reconnecting with my sketchbook, which has been lovely.

Happy new year!