I really should draw & paint more mermaids. #Mermaid #Mermaids #UnderTheSea #Fish #SeaCreatures #SeaLife #Gouache

When I think of fall, I think of apples. The backyard of my childhood home was full of apple, peach and pear trees. Plus ever fall we would go to Chudleigh's Farm in Milton and pick apples. And my Dad made the best apple pie! Mmmmmmm...boy it was good! #Fall #Apples #ApplePicking #ApplePie

A friend took a photo of The Ghosts Go Spooking at the Indigo in Burlington, On (my home town!). It still gives me a thrill to see my books "in the wild". And hey -- Halloween is approaching! This is a fun Halloween book for kids. Cute ghosties and a fun sing-a-long. #kidlit #kidlitart #Halloween

Hello! #Gnome #Mushroom #Folklore #LittleFolk #kidlitart #kidlit

Yay! So happy for you Troy! And what beautiful art by Mike Deas! Can't wait to read this!

I don't have time to make a new pirate hat, so trying to do touch-ups here and there. This hat has seen a lot of kids over the years! The Pirate and the Penguin was published in 2009, and thanks to my Pirate & Penguin play, I can keep the story alive. #PIrates #Penguins #kidlit #kidlitart #Piratehat

I can't wait for fall! Love the colours & the cool crisp air. Posting old art because I'm still busy with a couple projects. #Fall #Autumn #Squirrel #Leaves #Acorns #GouachePainting

A gnome breaking bread with a friend. #folkloresunday #Folklore #Gnome #Mouse #GnomeFriendship #Friendship #kidlitart

FYI, picture book people! #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #illustraton

It's #FoxyFriday! Here's a recent painting of a Frida Fox! #Fox #FoxyFriday #FridaFox

The Pirate & Penguin play is back! We'll be performing at Lambton House in West Toronto on Saturday Sept 20th! Hope you can make it! Lots of family fun. 🙂

Another gnome to keep me going. This is Ella. I'd love to write a story with Ella as the main character. She's kind and gentle, but can get mighty fierce if the situation calls for it. #Gnome #Gnomes #Ella #GirlGnome #GentleGnome #FierceGnome

Another gnome repost. I love all things cute and cosy! #Gnome #Gnomes #GnomeLife #Cosy

I miss painting my gnomes! I've got to squeeze in more painting time. #Gnome #Gnomes #Gouache #GouacheGnomes #LittleFolk

Is there still room for picture books that just plain silly and fun? I hope so... #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #Silly #Fun #KidHumour

Happy Back to School! #School #BacktoSchool #Learning #Homework

Yet another portrait. Complete fantasy. I've had a thing for red-headed women for quite a while. In fact, I died my hair red for a few years in my mid 30s. I have green eyes like this lady. And of course, my love of autumn shines through! #Gouache #RedHead #Birds #Robins #Leaves #Autumn #Fall

Albert says: "Sweater weather is just around the corner!" #AlbertEinstein #Sweaters #SweaterWeather #Fall #Leaves

Yet another portrait! She reminds me of a Spanish Pre-Raphaelite painting. And I do love to work in blue! #Portrait #Painting #Gouache #Blue #SpanishLady #Pre-Raphaelite

Another fave portrait -- my King Fox! #Fox #King #Crown #KingFox #Gouache #GouacheFox #GouacheKing

Another portrait re-post. I am fascinated with the history of British royalty. I love their faces, their clothes, and all the pomp & circumstance surrounding their lives. I really love painting with gold! I still want to try painting Elizabeth I -- her clothes are amazing. #HenryVIII #Royalty #King

Another portrait favourite. One of those times when my creative spirit was really working. #Gouache #Portrait #PeasntLady #OldWiseWomn #Art #Painting

This is one of my favourite portraits to date. One of those times when I let a 'higher power' take over the work. I love drawing & painting faces with depth and character. There's so much to delve into with faces that have lived a life. #Gouache #Portrait #PeasantLady #Painting

Here's another portrait. Created in the past year or so. It's based on an old painting, but darn if I can't remember the name of the painting or artist. Just experimenting, playing. It's overworked, but there is still something about it that I like. The actual painting looks better than this photo.

Ugh. Did not sleep at all last night. Haven't had that problem in a while. So I'm here posting another old painting. This is one of my early attempts at Gouache. It's a bit messy, but I still like it. I love sepia, and I cannot get enough of Renaissance collars. #Gouache #RenaissanceLady #Art

Can't sleep so what am I doing? Posting old paintings, that's what! This was the first time I ever painted an English Robin. How I love these birds! So sweet and adorable. #Robin #EnglishRobin #Bird #Birds #Gouache #GouacheBirds

Amazing!

Such a charming illustration!

I know, I know -- Summer isn't over yet. But let's face it -- Fall is just around the corner. And goodness knows, I love Fall! Let's go on an autumnal journey, just like this little leaf! I really enjoyed painting this one! (Now back to my other project...) #Fall #Leaves #Autumn #Gouache #Art

An old photo of me & the hubby in Bracebridge. Fun!

Finally managed to squeeze in some painting time! I'm not going to be able to work on larger time-consuming works at this moment in time, but as long as I can keep a finger (or two!) in the painting game, I will feel a bit better. I've noticed that painting has helped to improve my colouring skills.

This is from a book idea I had years ago that never saw the light of day. We're doing a major clear out of our books (not picture books, tho!) It's amazing how many books two people can accumulate... #books #booklove #bookobsession

Still busy with my two projects, but have managed to squeeze in time to do more submissions. Feels good to be busy! #kidlit #kidlitart #Create #Creativity #Art

Thought of an interesting idea for a picture book last night in between that awake/dream/sleep phase. Contemplated getting up & emailing myself the idea, but was so tired fell back to sleep. Thankfully I remembered the story idea whilst eating breakfast. Phew! #kidlit #writing #Idea #Creativity

I'm a busy little robot at the moment -- working on two fun creative projects. So sadly no time for painting any time soon! #kidlit #kidlitart #creativity

Since early July I have been focusing on my health more than I have in years. Cut out most sugar and salt as well as alcohol and junk food. Increased fruit & veg, decreased most carbs. Have been walking more, lifting weights & doing a lot of pilates. I feel SO much better!

Happy #InternationalCatDay!

Here's another humour book I created many moons ago. You're My Guy Because...is a book of love for the man in your life. I was approached by this publisher to create this book. They picked the title, which is kinda funny because my husband's name is... Guy! Anyway, I had a lot of fun with the art.

Here's another humorous book I illustrated: also about grandmothers and also published by the amazing Chronicle Books. Such fun! #Humour #Humor #Fun #Grandmothers

Photo of the actor David Niven, because, well... David Niven! And I need to look at something fun. #DavidNiven #Whimsy #Joy

I don't just illustrate children's books -- I also illustrate humour books! I had so much fun illustrating this hilarious gem by the very talented author Mary McHugh. And I love that it's still in print! @chroniclebooks.bsky.social‬ make amazing books! #Granny #GoodGran #BadGran #Humour #fun

Seen on our walk today. Someone got an old wooden board and painted a bunch of adorable birds. I love this! #Bird #Birds #Art #FolkArt #creativity

Today was a great creative day. I problem-solved and ended up being very happy with the results. Feeling so good about this project I am working on. It won't always be this way, so I'm extra grateful for these good days. Dare I say it? Feeling happy! #kidlit #kidlitart #creativity #art #imagination

So happy for my friend Wendy Whittingham! The Last Last is Wendy's first authored picture book & it's so delightful! A touching story about a young Jamaican girl dealing with leaving her Jamaican home & thinking of all the 'last things' she will do before emigrating. @groundwoodbooks.bsky.social

Happy busy bee all dusty and drunk on the sweetness of life. #Bee #Bees #HappyBee #Flower #Drink

Having some good fun working on a new project! Can't wait to share... #kidlit #kidlitart #fun #unicorn #ukulele

Remembering that time in 2019 when King West Books in Hamilton, ON created a beautiful window display of my book Moon Wishes. The one time one of my books had a window display in a bookstore! Such an amazing feeling, I gotta say. #KingWestBooks #MoonWishes #kidlit #kidlitart #WindowDisplay

First Rose of Sharon blooms of the season! I love these flowers sooooo much. #RoseofSharon #Blooms #WhiteFlowers

I haven't posted a cartoon in a while, and goodness knows laughter is very much needed these days... #Cartoon #Dysfunctional #Fun #Humour

Summer is my least favourite season, but there are still lots of things to love about this season. I love it when coreopsis pops up! These flowers are like mini suns! #Summer #SummerFlowers #coreopsis