Amazon A Tiny Fish Tale

I wrote a children's book about a tiny fish a few years ago entitled "A Tiny Fish Tale." It was made in to an app by StoryChimes and is available though iTunes. I also digitally illustrated the book using my iPad and self published this and two other books that are available on Amazon as a download or paperback. Additionally, all the illustrations are included in my Etsy shop. A few copies of the books and illustrations have sold, and I am just proud of the fact that I did it all myself with absolutely no help from anyone! One of the cutest and most touching comments came from a high school teacher who noticed the book and made inquiries about how to get one for her grandson. What reminded me of all this was that I was looking at the Amazon author site the other day that shows all my books in one spot. I noticed someone had put a five star rating for "A Tiny Fish Tale." I just want to thank whomever that was. Whenever anyone gives me positive feedback on any of my work, or displays a digital art portrait of something I made, I am so gratified to know someone thinks that much of what I love doing. The iPad did a lot for me when it was introduced to us almost six years ago. I suppose I need to thank Steve Jobs the most. 

iPad Five Year Anniversary - What A Difference It Has Made - For Me!

I can't believe it's been five years since the iPad changed my life! Since that April day in 2010, so much has happened because of it. I waited by the door for it to be delivered and things have never been the same. I had a feeling about it like no other gadget before it. Now I have three iPads - the first one is now my husband's - and the other two are used exclusively for all my art - and maybe a few games! I downloaded Sketch book Pro and my love for art was reignited. It started with doodles and sketches, and became three children's books - as apps in the Apple Store published by StoryChimes, a New Yorker Eustace Tilley win, self published children's books on Amazon, and commissioned pet portraits from all over the US, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico. I even have a "gallery wall" at the Wagtime Shop on Capitol Hill. Along with all the art is the social media that ties it all together - this blog about living in the Capitol City, Facebook business page, tumblr, Pinterest boards, krrb ads, my etsy shop, twitter, a Wordpress personal website, and the most recent Rebelmouse that pulls a lot of it in to one place. The iPad makes it so much easier to coordinate all of these things. It has become my mobile studio - which is a lot cleaner and neater than watercolor and pastels - that I take with me whenever we are out of town. Yes, some of this could have been done without the iPad, but not to the same degree. Thanks Steve Jobs for having the vision. Happy Anniversary IPad!

The Four Promises Print and Kindle Versions

Two of my children's books were published by StoryChimes and are available as apps in iTunes - A Tiny Fish Tale and The Four Promises. The stories were mine but the art was not. So my goal was to publish these books on Amazon in both print and Kindle ebook versions using my art. In the meantime I wrote a third book, My Trip to Washington - from LA to DC and back - all by myself! So in between custom requests for pet portraits, I finally completed the last book this month. The Four Promises was the shortest of the three but it didn't seem any less time consuming! So I am happy to say my "trilogy" of books is now available on Amazon. They are all true stories inspired by my grandsons, pets, and separation. I never thought I would ever be doing something like this, but the iPad reignited my interest in art. All the illustrations are hand painted using the iPad as the canvas and the stylus as the brush. I've got a fourth story written. I just need to come up with the pictures to go along with it. 

My Trip to Washington DC - from LA to DC and back - All by Myself!

After three years of thinking about it, my third children's book was finally published and is on Amazon in both print and ebook Kindle formats. It's about one grandson in LA visiting the other grandson in DC - a true story of course. I couldn't have a better backstory to create the hand painted digital illustrations. It accompanies my second book "A Tiny Fish Tale" which was first published by StoryChimes as an app on ITunes.  I'm hoping to complete the print version of "The Four Promises" as well. It takes time to create all the art, but it is a fun exercise. I never thought I would be dabbling in this sort of thing until the iPad came around. It's made such a big difference in my life and it's a great way to spend time. Living in Washington also had something to do with all three stories, so that's a good reason to have moved here! I've got a couple more ideas in the cooker - just wish I had more time to spend on them.