Meeting my hero(ine), Melissa Sweet

So, I had a great weekend going to see Melissa Sweet's studio sale last Saturday. At first I was going to go, then I couldn't find (decently priced) lodging, then at the 11th hour I found lodging so whoopee, I was going!

I hadn't been up the coast of Maine in a while, so it was a real treat to see the ocean, trees and rural sights. The Rockport/Camden area is gorgeous and if it weren't for the endless winters I'd be living there right now. (Still thinking there's a way around all that snow... 2 months somewhere south perhaps).

Anyway, the venue, Union Hall was a lovely historic brick building with wood floors and to-die-for views of the harbor. My kids and husband went for a walk to the harbor while I perused the art and got up the nerve to speak to Melissa. I shouldn't have feared anything, because she's so down-to-earth nice. It felt like I had known her in a previous life/on another planet kind-of-thing.

I bought some art, a book and a special "Floating Fairy" which will serve as a mascot in my now cramped, but someday-to-be-expanded studio.

I'm still pinching myself on the whole experience!

Three books, three friends

I am fortunate to know three people in the kidlit world who have been published in the last few months. My friend Brook Gideon just got her illustrations published in Azalea Unschooled by Liz Kleinman. The folks at Islandport Press loved her whimsical watercolors and asked her to illustrate this chapter book. Looks great!

My other RISD art buddy, Walter Silva, is one of the featured artists in The Big Book of Mod Podge. Several of his decoupage projects are in the book. Walter took illustration classes with us at RISD and has an Etsy shop for all the great decor items he's created.

Also having a publishing "birthday" is Josh Funk, the leader of our picture book critique group at the Writer's Loft in Sherborn. Josh has several books in the pipeline. The one just published is Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, a whimsical rhyming journey of two breakfast treats as they fight for the last drop of maple syrup.

 All three of these people are dedicated to their craft, be it writing and/or illustrating. They have all given me hours of helpful feedback on writing and art. And they are nice people as well! I'm proud to say I know them....check out their work!