Illustrating June, and an interview!

Quack.
Hello from the ducks.
We live below a wetland and we have ducks that waddle through every Spring, perch on the roof, and nap in our spongy backyard.
When I found out I was to be the featured illustrator for Puddle Jump Collective's June calendar, it had to be ducks.
At first, I thought I'd go back to my early 90's days and draw a punk girl.

But then I drew this braid girl,

and she seemed to want to be in this picture as much or more than the other girl.
So I put it to a vote on instagram, and braid girl won the polls
and ended up in the final illustration.
Puddle Jump also hosted me for an interview  and a mini studio tour. I hope you like it.

How To Spot a Stroke

Today is six years since I had a stroke.
Because I struggled to find my writing words after the stroke, I turned to art, hoping to find a way to be a writer again.


What do you call that?

A moment that diverts your course and sends you in a completely different direction?
A turning point? A boomerang?

At the time, it just felt scary, and discouraging.

Like when you go through a labyrinth, and you think you're getting close to the center, but instead, you find you have to go in the absolute opposite direction before you end up where you think you want to be.

But see?

How beautiful is it that hard things can become soil for new gardens?
Thanks to the stroke, I am here.
Making books!


Who knew?

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say how thankful I am.
To be alive today.
Thankful for the way my community lifted me up during that time.
Thankful that this extra hard thing contained ingredients that helped me become an author and illustrator today.

Friends, for every hard thing you face,
I wish you courageous hope.

For every detour, I wish you creativity
that grows and blooms and heals.

And because I'm especially thankful for the people in my life, I made a little thing for you. Knowing the signs of stroke can save your life. 
Please feel free to read and share with your loved ones.
#strokeawareness #strokesurvivor #strokeinfographic

Wish

Writers, illustrators, creatives, this is for you: 

Here's to a new year, 
a new page,
a new chapter. 

May you be blessed with bright and deep,
thoughtful and melodic,
magical and compelling.

Here's to all the stories you hold within you,
to all the books you're just about to write, 
the music you're just about to make,
the beauty you are meant to create.

May you have a year of years. 

A cornucopia of creating.

Also, no pressure. 

Bea and Jules, Day 25!

Happy Advent!

Happy Christmas!

-

from Jules and Charlie

and Bea -

and me.