Seedlings

The Doorbell of Mystery

The apartment I live in is old and full of odd details. For example, in the hallway between the kitchen and bathroom there is a mystery button. It looks like a doorbell but doesn't ring. Or if it does, I'm not sure who hears it. Dogs down the block, maybe? Ghosts, probably. Maybe it rings in the past.
A few years after moving in, I painted the button red and added 'PANIC' above it.

However, the time has come to replace panic with something better. So here is the Doorbell of Mystery's new look.

Thanks to Shaun Tan (and Feliziano Flores) for the inspiration.

Switch Hitter

After a bad burn, I lost the use of my right hand and arm for awhile.

I'm right handed, and making things has always helped keep me going when life gets challenging.  Just putting pen to paper and filling a sketchbook page can be a distraction and relief.  I could put up with the clumsy eating and the free style toothbrushing, but with my right hand out of commission, I was worried that I'd lose my mind if I couldn't draw or write at all.

With immobility can come unique patience. Though my left hand shook a lot, trying to use it gave me something to focus on. After a few days I found that I had much better luck with a paintbrush than I did with a pencil, and playing with paint felt great.

These are a few left handed sketchbook pages from February.

Ladybug Parade

I illustrated a song called 'Parade' by Catherine Johnson in January's issue of 'Ladybug' Magazine. I grew up reading Ladybug, so this was a real honor and an a lot of fun. And it turned out to be a great opportunity to put a majorette hat on a raccoon!

Sing along and march with the bunnies here!