Archives for November 2014

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND

November 30, 2014 | Leave a Comment

You’re my best friend

I can relate to the children who struggle with school. I loved art, english, writing, and music, but math was a challenge for me. I clearly remember an altercation that occurred one day in school; all the other children were sent out to play after lunch. I was asked to stay behind by the teacher – Mrs. B. To make matters worse, the teacher’s pet Tracy was also asked to remain in the room. Mrs. B. then proceeded to point out errors I had made on a recent math test.

Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to correct my mistakes, I felt as if I was under attack, and the two of them were ganging up on me. I tried to stand up for myself in one instance where my continental ‘7′ was mistaken for a ‘9.’ The answer was correct, but it did not matter. I can still see the sneer on Mrs. B’s face as she turned and asked Tracy’s opinion; did Tracy believe the number was, in fact, a seven? Of course not – teacher’s pet!

I felt humiliated and incredibly angry. There were other 7’s on the page to refer to. It was obvious to me that the number was, in fact, a ‘7.’

My parents hired a tutor to help me learn my numbers and would give me math books as birthday and Christmas presents. These were not appreciated and remained unread. I wonder where those books ended up.

Library Dogs are near and dear to my heart. Tails are Wagging would like to become involved with and support such programs. I have Mentioned Therapy Dog Training with Henry’s trainer and hope to get him into the program. I also look forward to meeting with the Ontario Provincial Therapy Dog Coordinator, with St. John Ambulance to discuss the ‘Paws 4 Stories’ component of their program. I hope our book ‘Henry says, “Hello” can help raise funds for this program.

It’s too bad there aren’t therapy dogs for math. I would have loved a little ‘Einstein’ buddy. As someone who struggled as a child, and understands the frustration and emotional turmoil of such struggles, I was thrilled to learn about Paws 4 Stories. This program provides children with a non-hostile learning environment and non-judgmental, patient reading companions. Therapy Dogs will sit and listen to a child as they read the same sentence over, and over until they get it right. Instead of feeling stupid, ashamed and discouraged, children receive the support they need to become confident readers.

Check back later for more information about this program.

You’re my Best Friend – illustration

I adore chubby cheeks on children and could not resist exaggerating them in this illustration.

Henry meditates: he cuddles with his stuffed toy and exudes complete calm. Sometimes I will sit with him and before long, I too feel completely at peace. This illustration is particularly special to me: I look at this illustration and recognize the feeling of peace that Henry shares with others and the importance of encouraging children to read.

The tales on the bookshelf also have special meaning (more about these later)…

http://www.sja.ca/English/Community-Services/Pages/Therapy%20Dog%20Services/Paws-4-Stories.aspx

PARTY GUESTS

November 23, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Halloween Party Guests

Party Guests

Gus reminds me of our neighbor dog ‘Chap.’ Notice the (left) paw? It’s not a handshake position, it’s a “hey; you stopped paying attention to me” pat. The behaviour frustrates to his parents who apologetically try to correct it. I consider it part of his charm.

Gwen is quite like one of the other three Golden Retrievers that live on our Street. Most days when we walk Henry and Reese, the Goldens run to the fence (just as in the image below) to say “Hello” to us. Reese slows her pace deliberately in anticipation of a group discussion. The Golden’s family are also Foster Carers for Golden Rescue.

Merlin (the Magician) is another story completely!

Leanne, a fellow volunteer at Georgina Animal Control was one of the first people to hear this story, she listened patiently until it was over and then she asked ‘do you have a Merlin?’ I did not. Leanne informed me there had been a mixed-breed adopted from our local shelter, and that he was now called Merlin. Leanne put me in touch with Merlin’s mom Sarah, who also listened to the story, and agreed that I should feature her Merlin in the book. Sarah informed me she is a Marketing Designer and Graphic Designer and that she and her team would be happy to help with marketing and provide and design the book template. It’s almost like Merlin waved his wand and everything just WAS!

Eva the Ghost and Betty the Bee

When I was a little girl, my dad bought my mom a timid little beagle named Wimpy (read more about Wimpy in a future post).

Henry borrowed Betty’s costume and Reese is a ‘mini’ Paige

There is no such thing as white – at least not that I found in watercolour painting. In order to show the creases and folds in Eva’s ghost costume, I had to add various shades of grey. The same with Betty’s white bits which we can imagine were in the shadows. I have learned a lot about the process of translating watercolour artwork to print-ready book files. White does not translate well for a start!

See book for completed illustration.

http://www.goldenrescue.ca/

http://www.eventsbysarah.ca/

AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON HIS FACE

November 20, 2014 | Leave a Comment

This nose! A nose once black that is now brown. They call it ‘snow nose’ (more about that later).

I love that Henry’s nose is a little bit crooked and depending on the angle at which you look at him, may seem slightly too large for his face. It suits his character. I wanted to capture those big (often guilty-looking) eyes and the ‘extreme close-up’ of the nose.

This face was the inspiration for ‘Naughty Lamb.’

THERE’S ALWAYS ONE!

November 17, 2014 | 2 Comments

This illustration (2 out of 3) proved extremely difficult for me. I’m not sure exactly why; the shaded window, the folds in the car seat or the size of the piece in general perhaps.

Not only did the illustration create frustration, the words in the story also caused inner conflict. Unfortunately, we do still see people leaving dogs in cars or tied up outside shops. We hear of the tragedies that occur as a result. Theft and possibly death. Still, people continue to leave their companions.

I considered not including the section with Henry and Reese in the car at all. This book, however, is based on today’s realities and to teach children how to be safe. A ‘what not to do’ for adults is clearly the more difficult lesson. I changed this section of the book close to going to print. I had to have someone in the car with the pups! Thank you Jill for appealing to my better senses.

Boy at Car Window

A RIBBON FOR REESE

November 12, 2014 | Leave a Comment

The eyes are the windows to the soul

Reese’s Yellow Ribbon

It was very important for me to include information about ‘Yellow Ribbon Dogs’ in this book. Children should be aware that some dogs need extra space. Most people are still not familiar with The Yellow Ribbon Project. Children’s books are a great way for parents and children to learn together.

My little Reese is the product of a puppy mill. One of the most deplorable farms imaginable. Reese was bred too young and not provided adequate care (sadly, this is the case in most mills). As a result, Reese has physical and mental conditions that, although we’ve worked very hard to overcome, still cause her to be anxious. She is considered a ‘special needs’ dog.

Reese has come a long way with rehabilitation and will warm to (most) people eventually. It takes her much longer to be comfortable around other dogs.

It is important for little people need to know that Reese needs extra space when she meets them.

COVER PUP

November 9, 2014 | 1 Comment

The Cover Illustration – Henry and Pumpkins

Henry with Pumpkins – unfinished

Henry with Pumpkins

This illustration was inspired by a photo taken during one of Henry’s Birthday celebrations – one of my favourite photos.

Henry is giving my friend Lourdes (the photographer) a huge ‘toothy’ Henry grin. Those smiles are contagious!

FIRST AND LAST

November 5, 2014 | 4 Comments

Henry in Window

This illustration (pen and ink, pointalisim with watercolour), was inspired by one of my favourite photographs. The photo was taken at my parent’s house during Christmas holidays. There is a big park in the middle of a crescent – I imagine Henry was watching the squirrels frolicking in the snow. In the story, Henry is watching the children on Halloween night. Looking to the stars, Henry makes a wish. You’ll have to read the book to learn what that wish is.

WHERE DO I BEGIN – HENRY’S BOOK FOR CHILDREN?

November 1, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Where do I begin?
To tell the story of how great a love can be
The sweet love story that is older than the sea
The simple truth about the love he brings to me
Where do I start?

Henry and his sister Reese are both ‘Puppy Mill Rescues.’ For anyone not familiar with Puppy Mills, the are large breeding facilities for the manufacturing of puppies to sell for profit. Most Mills do not provide adequate care for their dogs: hence the fight to have these inhumane farms shutdown.

Henry was surrendered by a Miller at an early age due to a medical condition. The Miller did not want to have to pay medical expenses for Henry’s treatment. Shortly after we adopted Henry a female puppy was also surrendered. Sadly, it was too late for her eye infection to be treated, and her eye was removed – situations like this are not uncommon with Puppy Mill dogs.

At the time of ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ Henry’s adoption, Miss Reese was spending her days at a Mill in a suspended wire cage with a ‘drop-pan’ below to catch her business. She was being used for the sole purpose of breeding: her puppies taken from her most likely at too young an age, and sold. When Reese stopped producing (puppies and therefore money), she too was surrendered. Unlike Henry, Reese was a shell of a dog – we knew she was in there somewhere: it took us more than two years to find the real Reese. She has come such a long way since we adopted her, however; she’s still very nervous around new people and dogs other than Henry. Reese is what is referred to as a ‘Yellow Ribbon Dog’ as she needs extra space.

Wherever we would go with Henry and Reese on our walks, kids would run over to meet the dogs. Some would ask: most would not! Kids are very energetic, and I found myself explaining over, and again how Henry and Reese would prefer to be greeted in a calm manner. I decided I needed to write this book. I truly hope it catches on and that children will share this lesson with their friends and so on, and so forth.

When my husband and I adopted Henry, I had no idea how much Henry would come to mean to me and how he would change my life – and me; for the better. He inspires me and brightens my every day. Now Henry is a ‘storybook’ character. Clever, charming, oh-so funny and very friendly; Henry is the perfect guide for children throughout the story.

Finding the right words was not an easy task. Creating the images was even more challenging.

In the next few posts, I would like to share with you some insights into the creation of this story and it’s illustrations.

Bookshelf
This illustration was a way for me to include our beloved Charlie, Maggie and Oliver: family felines that are no longer with us.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Where_Do_I_Begin%3F)_Love_Story

YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND

PARTY GUESTS

AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON HIS FACE

THERE’S ALWAYS ONE!

A RIBBON FOR REESE

COVER PUP

FIRST AND LAST

WHERE DO I BEGIN – HENRY’S BOOK FOR CHILDREN?

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