Paying homage to the brilliant author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton in this colored pencil/pan pastel/collage piece, who was my collage instructor at Storyteller Academy and inspired me to follow my heart and pursue my art! (Vanessa designed this wrapping paper for Target!) 🥰

It takes a lot of layers (colored pencil) on black paper, but I really am enjoying the process. Learning so much from all of my uber-talented artist friends at the Art Alliance of Central PA! And I do so love drawing kitties. Happy fall, y'all 🥰

So, we were unpacking Halloween decorations and I inadvertently placed these three into a basket before we decided where to put them. But now, they look like they're having so much fun together, I hesitate to separate them. 😆

Today's the day! Happy book birthday to SOME DAYS I'M THE WIND, written by me and illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova ! 🥳 Thank you to everyone at @barefootbooks.bsky.social and to my wonderful agent, @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social for being my biggest champion in all ways on all days!🥰

Look at this precious little darling who fell asleep, cuddling the middle of the flower (Rose-of-Sharon.) 🥰 (Yes, it was alive, and lazily waved me away when I checked.) 💕

Wow, so much wonderful art! Now open for public viewing: SCBWI Summer 2025 Portfolio Showcase - www.scbwi.org/submissions/... #scbwisummer25 #KidLit #SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social Pls show your support for *human* artists by boosting? It's a challenging time for illustrators to find work. Thank you! 🩷

#collage is fun, y'all. You should do it. 😁 (Made during a class called Paper Portraits as part of the Summer Creative Retreat, hosted by the fabulous artist Peggy Dean - of The Pigeon Letters fame and taught by the amazing Claudette Hasenjager.)

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, eating all the gumdrops he can see...😁 having fun with #coloredpencil #pastel #poscapens

Beautifully said. 💕

Sometimes the early bird simply wants to go back to bed. 🙃 (Colored pencil w pan pastel background - first time trying these out!) Powered by Human Art, no AI. Admittedly wanted to pay a little homage to Sesame Street too. I love that show. *sniff* #birds #coloredpencils

Whew! I did it! 🥰 Thirty #bookspines #poems for #NationalPoetryMonth...here's today's:

Today's #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem. Please be kind. You never know what's happening in someone's 'secret side of empty'.

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth celebrates a full home is a happy home. Everybody's welcome!😁🥰

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth. 🥰

Just a silly spooky #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth today. 😁

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth because muppet monsters make the bestest friends. 🥰

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth.

Oof! Yesterday got away from me, so here's a belated #bookspines #poem for #Nationalpoetrymonth about writing and the power of habit. 😊

This handsome birb and I want to wish you all happy Earth Day and to remind everyone to treat Mother Earth (and all that live upon her) with love, gratitude and kindness. 💕 #nature #birds #earthday

Today's #bookspines #NationalPoetryMonth #poem is inspired by Earth Day. 🥰

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth...

Today's #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem inspired by all the spring holidays. No matter what, how or if you celebrate, I wish you all joy and peace. 💕

The day almost got away from me! Today's #bookspines #NationalPoetryMonth #poem speaks to my dismay over how AI is negatively affecting artists.

A short action story for today's #bookspines #NationalPoetryMonth #poem: 😁

Today's #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem is short, sweet and to the point.

A l'il #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem note to myself on my birthday:

Today's #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem inspired by the fact that every time our smoke detector would go off, the boys would say, "Mom's cooking again." 😆

So, I had a little extra batter and accidentally made chocolate chip goth waffles. 😆

Okay. This one's just weird. But I kinda like it. 😁 #NationalPoetryMonth #bookspines #poem

Today's #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth: A short tragic romance.

April 12th #bookspines #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth inspired by our son's and DIL's one year wedding anniversary! 🥰

Today's #bookspine #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth:

Today's #bookspine #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth.

Have to pay homage to what inspired the idea for the When a Dragon Moves In series! #bookspine #poem #NationalPoetryMonth 😁🥰

Today's #bookspine #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth.

Okay, April 7th's #bookspine #poem might be a tad dark...😆 #NationalPoetryMonth

This #bookspine poem is for those who learned how to 'swim' (survive) despite the fires burning around us. You are all heroes. Special thanks, love, respect and reverence to those who share their stories so that others may share the empathy, strength and inspiration. #aprilpoetrymonth 💕

April 5 #bookspine #poem for #NationalPoetryMonth, and the reason I do what I do: Dear Child, Just In Case You Ever Wonder, Whatever Comes Tomorrow...I Love You the Purplest! Eight Days a Week. 💕

Music heals. 🎶 💕 Today's book spine #poem for #nationalpoetrymonth:

In honor of #aprilpoetrymonth and inspired by audio-describing last night's hilarious #addamsfamilymusical, my #bookspine #poem for the day. 😁

In honor of #nationalpoetrymonth, I'm going to try to post a #bookspine #poem every day. 🥰

April is #nationalpoetrymonth, so I'm going to try to post a #bookspine #poem every day. 🥰 (P.S. I made this one at Webster's Bookstore & Cafe in State College, PA. They have THE BEST selection of books, not to mention music, vintage clothing and lots of yummies!)

I mean, seriously, how cute and snuggly is this fluffy Downy Woodpecker? #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography

I am so glad we stayed up to watch the lunar eclipse last night. The moon shone like a magnificent reddish-pink pearl on a sea of black velvet. (Obviously) my pictures don't do it justice. #moon #bloodredmoon #naturephotography

And the tree stretched out its branches and whispered, "Don't worry, Moon, I'll catch you if you fall." #moon #naturephotography

Not sure I've ever seen a bluebird this fluffy! 🥰 #birds #birdphotography #birbs

It's a tough to time to be launching #KidLit books. Pls help boost one or more of the #KidLitLaunches this week? Or the Mar. 3-9 #BookBirthday thread below? Thank you so much! My online access this week will be sporadic (& my eye surgery is Wed).

Because everybody needs to have a favorite stuffie to cuddle. #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration #tiger #cats

I'M NOW OPEN TO QUERIES! Right now, the specific gap I'm looking to fill is for a GRAPHIC NOVELIST (author/illustrator only). Scroll here to see some of the graphic novels and series I've loved, and some new/upcoming ones I'm looking forward to reading. #amquerying #writingcommunity #kidlit #gn

I love my art class. This one was a challenge! A study of light and shadow. Thank you, Maggie Scotilla and Art Alliance of Central PA 🥰 #art #coloredpencil