Here Littlejim has won a national writing contest and his accomplishment has been announced at the 4th of July celebrations on the mountain. The local townspeople are celebrating with him. His parents are in the back reading the newspaper which has published his winning essay.

This is from my first children's picture book. One of my happiest childhood memories is splashing my bare feet in the river at my Grandmother's house.

I finished this B&W interior illustration (for my upcoming book). This is an emotional scene. Littlejim has witnessed a horrible accident and has run away. He feel into the muddy creek and finally, his father came to see about him.

The Union Jack I proudly bear
Emblazoned in my bulldog hair.
A tribute to a fearsome man:
Dear Winston, 'twas your sturdy plan
That broke the chains of tyranny.
How I desire to honor thee.

Ladybug invasion: THE handbag of choice at this year's Oscars. :)
The "C" is for Clarice -- my daughter.

I did this felt piece to decorate the wall in front of my daughter's art workstation.
Ladybugs are so fun and cheery -- except when they are swarming your house!

Just finished this new illustration for the children's young adult novel, Littlejim, written by Gloria Houston. Here Jim is speaking on "What it means to be an American." The 48-star flag denotes the Union circa 1917, when our story takes place in North Carolina's Appalachian mountains. Jim's mother and sisters are on the back row. Jim is standing on a platform at the front of the schoolroom to deliver his speech.

Because I am often asked to speak about careers in the arts, I thought a small sample of my normal Q&A session might be helpful to other women artists.

Q: How do you stay creative when you have a family to care for?
A: I look for creative things for us to do together. Go see a good family movie with inspiring art. Miss Piggy never fails to entertain or inspire! Then do an art project as a family. Drawing and painting are our favorite activities.

Q: What do you do when you are burned out?
A: I go to the symphony, watch films or read quality literature. That way, I'm away from visual art for a while, but I'm still reminded of the incredible depth of human creativity. It's amazing how fast I'm recharged to get back to my art projects.

Q: How else do you get fresh ideas?
A: I'm part of a local women's artist group. We meet to discuss business ideas, artist opportunities and to critique our work. When my "well is dry," these talented ladies inspire me. So it's important for mom-artists to take a break from the family and relate to other women artists.

Q: What's the most important thing to remember about balancing your family and your artwork?
A: To surround yourself with positivity AND to know how to refill your "creative well."

warm thought for a cold day:
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully, mysteriously) her first lily

from "somewhere i have never travelled"
e e cummings (with "lily" in place of "rose")
posted for my mother, Lili Marleen
photo from my dining room table at home