A Tiny Fish Tale Children’s Book

My first children’s book “A Tiny Fish Tale” was published about eight years ago. It was about a Betta fish called GW, short for George Washington. Aside from writing the story, I painted all the illustrations using my iPad. It was first available as a StoryChimes app through the iTunes Store and sold for ninety-nine cents! But the app didn’t include my illustrations and was never updated. It can’t be viewed on the latest operating system. So I dug out an old iPhone and took some photos of the app pages, and listened to the tale. Since that time I self published the book on Amazon using my paintings, and it is available as a Kindle download, or as a hard copy children’s book. Since then two other books were written and illustrated. “The Four Promises” and “My Trip to Washington DC” both were about my grandsons - one who lived in Washington, DC and the other in California. When I look back at how it all happened it surprises me. I always liked to draw since I can remember. I was an editor of our high school newspaper and contemplated a career in journalism. Neither of those options came to fruition. I opted for nursing instead just to ensure I could find a job. The writing and the art were always helpful during my career wherever it took me. Now I spend a lot of time doing both. 

Fine Art America, Etsy and Zazzle Sales

Not that it amounts to much, but over the last few weeks I have received notice from three different on line marketplaces that three of my items sold. It just amazes me that out of all the millions of items out there that my digital artwork even gets noticed. And the nicest thing about these orders is that I don't have to do anything more with them, except collect the cash! Usually the orders are for custom and memorial pet portraits that need to be painted for a specific person. The first sale was a Betta fish single greeting card from Fine Art America. The second was "The Women on the Steps of Persepolis" painitng from Etsy. It was for a birthday gift and the customer wanted to know the best size to have it printed and displayed. The last one was just this week. It was a t shirt with a vizsla pooch on it from Zazzle. That portrait was one of the first digital custom images I created from an etsy customer. I have uploaded several of my images to Zazzle where various products can be created. It's such a treat to be a part of this experience and every time I hear from any of these places it is really exciting! Thanks for looking at my work! 

PetSmart Fish Plants Without the Fish

It's been a couple months since we lost our little Betta fish Moby Dick. I didn't think we would ever go back to a pet store for the time being anyway. We are in that phase of trying to decide if a pet is a good idea. We do however have a plant holder that can be used for a variety of things. At Christmastime I use it to decorate by filling the containers with live greens and adding a string of holiday lights. Lately it's been looking a little bare, so my husband was commenting about getting something to might it look more respectable. Most of the outside water plants are rather large and somewhat unsightly. We always had live water plants for Moby, so we decided to see what PetSmart could offer. We agreed on the usual variegated plant and then found a plastic plant that could pass for something authentic if mixed with something real - a great trick that can be used any time. When we got home my husband carefully filled the glass containers with rocks and plants. If one them should break we hope that Gingko's in the neighborhood has replacements. We really don't have a lot of greens in the house, but this is just enough. Unfortunately my flower garden was quite the bust this year. Otherwise, fresh flowers are simply the best. Maybe next time we should consider air plants. 

In Memory of Moby Dick

I have written about Moby Dick several times in my blog over the last three years. He was a tiny little Betta Fish that captured our hearts as soon as we got him. Whenever we went away, we made sure someone would be here to feed him, and later on transferred him to a smaller bowl so he could be carried over to our grandson's house to sit on their kitchen table and be entertained. He was constantly looking for our attention and danced whenever you waved at him from across the room. He looked stunning in the sunlight. His routine became our routine...It's been a week since we unexpectedly lost him and it has taken me this long to write about it. I keep looking in the corner of the room and there is nothing there. We've had two dogs and a Betta fish before Moby. It just doesn't get any easier anytime we lose one. Someone wrote this to me last week: "each and every precious creature has their own personality....we love them so. Moby Dick is making a big splash in fish Heaven this week. I can imagine the beautiful Betta swimming free in the Eternal flow...I am with you from the heart,"

Betta Fish Bed or Top Fin Plant?

For being such a tiny thing, our Betta fish has a big personality. He used to live in a very large aquarium. When we transferred him to a smaller bowl he seemed much happier and it became obvious that he loved to sit near the surface of the water. He blows a lot of bubbles, and enthusiastically responds to any human interaction by dancing. We've tried a lot of different plants. He seems to figure out the best position to set himself according to the leaf size and shape. But it looks like the Anubias Nana is his favorite. They don't always last very long so we have a fake Betta fish leaf bed/ hammock too. With both types of plants in the bowl he seems to prefer the real thing. He looks like a surfer on his surfboard as he paddles his way on to the leaf. The smaller bowl also is nice when we need to bring him over to an alternate home if and when we are out of town. You wouldn't think this little creature could have such an affect on you, but he does. And because of that he at least deserves a decent bed. 

 

PetSmart Water Plant for Moby Dick

We used to go to PetSmart for big bags of dog food. But now we have a tiny little Betta fish. It feels like we go to the store just as much for him. Moby Dick likes to sit on water plants so he is just under the water line. The plant he had deteriorated over time and was in need of replacement. I really like the water plants typically available in the summer for outdoor ponds. But none if those are available now. So we picked one from the Topfin collection. Moby is a very curious fish and instantly began exploring his new seating arrangement. So far, so good. Even though Moby is very social and engaging, he is nothing like our Borzoi Tatiana. But I have to give him points for trying and he deserves to have a good seat.