Steal Like an Artist

Don't let the title, "Steal Like an Artist," throw you off, it's not actual stealing...it's what we do when we admire someone's work. It becomes part of our vocabulary as we work on new visual, written, musical, etc. projects.

Austin Kleon created this great book for those of us who want to be reminded to just going for it and do the work we love...whatever that work may be.

Don't hesitate...buy it, borrow it, whatever...just read it!
You'll be so happy that you did.

Down a Sunny Dirt Road

This wonderful book, "Down a Sunny Dirt Road" is the inspiring autobiography of Stan & Jan Berenstain. The couple that most of us know for having written the Berenstain Bears books.

What I love about the story is how this couple made their dreams come true.

They wanted to work together as artists and that's exactly what they did. For their more than 50 years of marriage, they worked side by side on the same projects as cartoonists, artists, and writers.

They weathered the ups and downs of life and career holding onto the dreams they had. One of them being these bears that they created and loved.

I highly recommend this book, especially the second half that follows their career and their time with the famous Dr. Seuss as the editor of their first Berenstain Bears books.

Colors and Shapes

Looking out the Window from My Friend's Home

This is a photo from my recent trip to France. It was taken in the lovely village of Carrieres sur Seine where I was staying with dear friends.

I love how this old village was/is put together - the narrow streets, the interesting geometric shapes of buildings, the neutral colors on the outside walls, with colorful roofs and shutters, and how these buildings meet each other and touch the sky.

It was such a gift to be able to stroll down these streets to a park along the Seine River -to walk and dream where Monet had once painted.

Favorite Books

When asked this week by the lovely people at Behind the Book to write about one of my favorite books, I chose "There's No Such Thing as a Dragon," by Jack Kent.

Click here to read what I had to say.

Then find this wonderful book and read it yourself. : )

What are Your Treasures?

Three Little Guinea Pigs Smaller than a Matchstick

Each week, I explore my neighborhood thrift stores searching for treasure.

The three tiny guinea pigs to the left, were my exciting find last week. Where do they come from? A game? A doll accessary? Who knows? I just know they are adorable.

For the few cents that they cost, I can afford to have them sit on the shelf above my work area and make me smile.

Thrift Stores, for those of you who don't know, are collections of donated used items - toys, books, clothing, furniture and everything else. The money made in these stores supports one or several charities.


Thrift stores, not only provide whimsical treasures, like the guinea pigs, they also provide treasure in the form of clothing and other household items for people in need and those who need or want to save money. They provide jobs for people and money for important causes. Also important, thrift stores repurpose items that would otherwise be taking up space in people's homes or landfills.

What's in your home that you no longer need? Could you donate it to a thrift store and provide treasure for someone else? Set a goal to donate at least one bag of items to your local thrift store this next month.  It will clear up space in your home and provide treasure for others.

What treasure would you like to find in a thrift store?

Baby Mourning Doves

The Babies Eating Bird Seed

Earlier this month, I woke up to an exciting surprise.

Two baby mourning doves were peaking in my window.

I wondered if the parents, who like to roost on my fire escape, had dropped them off. : )

It was such a happy moment. How wonderful that the mourning dove I had followed through her single life, into finding a mate, had now hatched two offspring.

I hope she's happy...and I imagine that she's now setting on a new nest of eggs. They do that. It turns out that mourning doves are one of the most prolific birds in the United States.

I love it when good things are abundant.

It Can Be Scary Making Friends

Sometimes It's Scary Making Friends

This illustration is the result of a story that I recently wrote with a wonderful 2nd grade class in Brooklyn. The whale is afraid of sharks and the shark is afraid of whales. Eventually, they realize that they have nothing to fear in each other and become friends.

Doesn't that sound alot like real life?

I used to go to many conferences. I'd get so nervous about all the people. Then I realized that almost everyone else was probably nervous too. So, I decided to treat them with the kindness I'd show a new guest in my home. After starting that, I've rarely been nervous, because now I have the job of making others feeling at ease.

What do you do to feel at ease around new people?