Yearning for the smell of D-I-R-T

By now my sister-in-law in Upper New York State must be imagining (yearning for) the beauty that exudes from the soil in her garden. Years of work from her talented hands and the planning of decades will eventually flourish over their "lush estate." In the meantime, they keep shoveling that "lake effect snow."

Oh for the days of gardening to return! (I remember Crayola even had a "smelly color" named "dirt".) Are we there yet? Now, the end of February and we Eastcoasters (along with the rest of the country other than Southern California) are overtired of winter. This happens every year, doesn't it? The newscasters report that March 20, the 1st day of spring, is close. That is not some "magic day," but a glimmer of hope that we are just weeks closer to seeing the tips of tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths peek out from under possibly the last bit of snow.

(To hold me over, maybe I will open that bag of potting soil and take a whiff!)

Temporary Custody

Due to my daughter Allison's car accident on January 2, 2014, I have "temporary custody" of her animals, from the clean out of her totalled car. While she is laid up with a broken kneecap, I get to draw and paint the precious "Kitty" who could possibly become the subject of a new book. No cuddling or feeding necessary, but these shabby fabric pets became a nice surprise for an additional illustration needed for the soon to be published (February 2015), new children's picture book, Three Tales, Four Dogs. "Kitty" and "Sock Monkey" are strewn on the lawn with Tank's "mess".

How wonderful is this? By using these things in my illustration, they become a recorded legacy of my daughter's childhood treasures.  I think about Marc Brown's illustrations of the Arthur books and how those precious nooks of his house and scenes of the neighborhood must mimic his own environment and will document memories for years to come. This seems so simple a concept, but may end up being a goal in later books that I illustrate. (Marc Brown even hid his children's names in the labels of the objects and places in his books!!!)