The Value of Libraries

"What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists."

~Archibald MacLeish*

Bookplate by Shona MacDonald, Wild Wood Arts Co

*from "The Premise of Meaning,"American Scholar, 5 June 1972 via Quote Garden

30-Day Drawing Challenge Coming in September

Thanks to Gavin Townsend, 2011

I'll be starting a 30-Day Drawing Challenge on September first. (Like I need another project, right?)

Here's my two-bit philosophy on why you should join me:

• Non-artists need challenges to develop their visual communication skills

• Artists need challenges to stay out of ruts

• Free-lance artists need challenges to generate interest in their work and traffic on their sites

• Besides, challenge lists are fun!

Follow along with me (You can download G-Townsend's list on Deviant Art.)

Or use one of the alternate lists below. (I plan to use those in the coming months.)
Don't forget to post a link to your blog, tumblr, or instagram in the comments so we can encourage each other.

Copyright Autumn Seybert

Copyright Sarah Nolan

found on Pinterest

By Myra Harrison?

The Creative Journey

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still."
-Joe Girard*

"Journey", by Kristy Patterson
Flying Shoes Studio

*from Jo Linsdell Feliciani via Facebook

Ducks and Hens

My local library has an annual booksale. I love digging through the boxes to find unfamiliar authors and illustrators.

Gardens, and chickens, and ducks. Oh, my!

This year I picked up three picture books for the farmer in me:

Nora's Duck, written and illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa

In My Garden: A Child's Gardening Book, by Helen and Kelly Oechsli

The Broody Hen, by Olivier Dunrea (If you are only familiar with Mr. Dunrea's Gossie books, you must take a look at his lush watercolor style!)

Have you discovered any hidden gems lately? 

My Native Tongue

". . . one of the most phenomenal gifts humans get free of charge is the English language."
- J. Patrick Lewis

Art Nouveau bookplate
from my Pinterest collection

Publication News

I am pleased to announce my rebus "Hidden Veggies" appears in the August 2015 issue of Clubhouse Jr.

Hidden Veggies, by Joanne Roberts, illustrated by Donald Wu

Many thanks to Joanna, James, and Jesse from Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazines. Thanks to everyone at the Write2Ignite conference and at Sub It Club. Thanks also to my critiques partners both local and virtual, especially Mette for the perfect word, Val for her alternate beginning, and Beth for her descriptive ideas which led to this story becoming a puzzle.

It really does take a village.

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." -II Corinthians 9:15

The Limits of Writing, The Power of Story

“The story is always better than your ability to write it.” 
~Robin McKinley*

Courtesy Pratt Institute Libraries

*Via Beth Cato

Choosing the Right Words

"A book is a wonderful present. Though it may grow worn, it will never grow old."

-Jane Yolen*

Courtesy Bookplate Ink

*via SCBWI Tumbler