A Peek into My FIRST Picture Book!

It is done--finished--complete! I celebrate!

I just illustrated my first picture book. What a fantastic learning opportunity. I want to take you through a few sneak peeks of what is in store in this ebook that will be coming out soon. I was so excited to be offered this project by a fellow S.C.B.W.I. member, Sarah Perry. The book is an alphabet adventure with the Old Woman (who lived in the shoe). So, OK, this woman has lots of kids. Sheesh! Lots of character sketch time here. But first, I needed an old woman. A hip mother--loving, spunky, with-it and funky--of a LARGE multi-cultural family.

 "Who do I know who has lots of kids?" BINGO! Leone Trese! She was a one-time Clarkston, MI neighbor and resident.  I had taken an O.C.C. extension biology class with her many, many years ago when I was in my teens. At the time, Leone, working toward her LPN degree, was pregnant with her 17th child! The family as it turned out lived right behind us years later when I moved to Clarkston (at the edge of Ortonville). She was an inspiration indeed. She and her husband not only cared for this large clan of loving children, who by the way, all looked alike, but they cared for other children as well through their social work in the Flint area and Oakland County.

My OLD WOMAN character would the sassy, savvy Leone. (You have to sassy and savvy to have that many kids and do what she did!) Leone, you are remembered. She was an Ortonville Optimist Club member, church volunteer and became an RN. I often saw her planting flowers and handing out smiles and wheeling around two fully loaded grocery carts. She was at one with her busy life that she chose joyfully. Sadly, she died from cancer at an early age. Cheers to you Leone, you did a great job. Here's my tribute to you...

Most moms and caregivers spend their day in  their cars, vans or in this case, Mom Shoe--
getting kids to their classes, events, and activities on time!

AND at the end of the day, after the car and kids have been parked...
it's me time...for about five minutes!

A Place of One's Own

The floor is red oak and cherry leaf, a soft, green moss throw rug sits in the middle and a tiny red cedar sapling sits off to one corner--she doesn't say much. The roof is sky and rustling oak leaves.This is a room of my own, a place of my making with the help of Mother Nature.

I didn't know it at the time, but my search for "place" began with a chair. An old rocker I bought years ago that began rotting by Marie's studio, I dragged up to the woods for a place to sit. To hunt. Hunting gave me and it a purpose. I sat in the morning and evening in my plaid wool shirt and Stormy Kromer after stringing my bow (it took four tries to string it!)

Hunting in the "chair" gave me a purpose to hit the woods, leave the trail and work and dishes behind. I had searched for a place to sit and under the big cherry tree was a start. I tried that for a few days, but it didn't feel right, too exposed--no matter how many branches I piled around it. My eyes kept crossing the trail to the woods. A natural place to hide.

But stubbornly I moved my chair up the hill behind the cherry. Between two pines--one red and the other white--it sat. This was nice. Cozy. I'm a pine girl. But still didn't feel right. Then the next morning I saw her--a doe stepped out into the predawn right past the area I had contemplated--the place across the trail from the cherry.

It took a few days for the idea to strike my mind, but while the girls watched football last Saturday I went exploring. I had an idea. I found the old deer blind that had been collapsed on the ground under brush for as long as I can remember since living here. It was a place where I thought animals lived. No recent tracks though. It had also been a place I went to pout and throw myself on--watching for rusty nails. I lifted one corner expecting the wood to crumble. It didn't.

It was perfect. I would resurrect the old deer blind. Unsafe, rusty nailed, rotted boards decorated by Mother Nature. Dirt, fungus and spider web held cherry and oak leaf glued in place on the boards. A natural collage. Most of the boards were still sturdy and HEAVY it was. I stood up the walls. The first wall had a hinged door still attached. This was my support wall. Then I stood the other and leaned them against each other much like a house of cards with the help and support of two oak trees.

I was too excited. It made a nice blind to hide and watch the wild world in. I had always loved my father's deer blind in Mio--seeing the world through rectangular windows, cropping and composing nature in a pleasing way. I tossed in a camp chair from the RV and voila! I was set. Rickety home, sweet, home.

Seed and nut gift for critters

Stomping out at 7 a.m. a few days ago I ran into a buck staring at me in the trail. Whoops! Too late. The end of hunting for the morning. But I did have a friendly chickadee visit me hopping around on my hat. So the next day I went out at 6:15 a.m. at 29 degrees it was chilly cold--but sit I did for two hours. No wildlife. Chickadee stopped by but didn't stay. So yesterday I took seed out for chickadee and a dream-catcher I got in the mail. When I hung the catcher inside, it dawned on me. A room of my own! A sit place for sketching. My place has an double oak sentinel door, mossy welcome mat and all.

For as long as this structure stands, this will be my special fort or clubhouse. A place to create, hunt, listen, pout if I have to or just sit with nature and enjoy. A natural room with a natural view. I will sit and sketch life here as the seasons pass. The window frames and holds ever changing art and offers me a look at Hawthorne and Cherry, Oak and Pine neighbors as I sip coffee.

Cherry tree view with path to  my "place"

Getting Kids INTO the OUTDOORS

Happy Color-filled Days!

Back from Tustin Michigan where I delivered a keynote speech at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental Education last weekend. I thought I would share some of my speech from that rainy, rainy, rainy, cold, cold day--that day of equipment hunting and set up challenges--which is the day my speech was delayed by a half an hour to a hurried group. Needless to say by the time I hit the podium I was sweating bullets. As folks lunched I had to move fast and share about the importance of story to get kids into nature and about my life as a storyteller.

I shared about how it all began--from way back.  How at age 6,my family went from living in the city of Pontiac to wild Clarkston--to live a safer, healthier life.

How my mother used to warn us kids of wild animals to keep us close to home. "WATCH out for:"  yowling wildcats that filled the woods, Massasauga rattlesnakes (we lived on their breeding ground), rabid roaming raccoons, and wily foxes that raided the hen house in the early morning. But it was the dreaded and feared badger that got our attention and kept us on our toes. That warning we heard every time we walked to the bus stop. That thrilling ever present badger danger made nature exciting and kept us outside exploring. Stories of creepy, gross and dangerous things enthrall kids.

This is how Holly Wild book one came to be--it was the story of my nature mishap on Beaver Island. Our imaginations got carried away with us when our squishy, brown arm-length find of a creepy kind lying on the shore of Lake Genesrath became not plant or animal but a human arm. It was the thrill of finding something unknown that made the event a good story. How it came around to be human beats me. Maybe it was the approaching storm, the green sky, the pelting hail, screaming kids. Who knows. But story was born--and heck it was adventure and we were all out exploring. Besides, this naturalist mishap turned into a teaching moment. The biologist at the CMU Bio station informed us that the "creepy arm" was a "pine snake" (pretty close--plant & animal name)  spatterdock rhizome--he was kind and patient with us and even showed us around.

Years later when I had a woman stop by the nature center I worked at, I got to use this kind, patient stance as the woman asked me. "So when does the Hummingbird Moth turn into a Hummingbird?" How or where she got this notion I have no idea. But I am sure it came from the same place where we thought the Beaver Island rhizome was an arm. The colorful world of imagination, curiosity and wondering. I had walked in this woman's shoes before. Of course the answer was NEVER, but at least this brave woman asked--and she was outside on a nice day wondering and wandering. It is good story.

I went on to tell the lunching crowd about the time I went sketching with a pal at Howell Nature Center. I also told them why having a sketching buddy is a good thing--they become your witness. While drawing a sleepy porcupine in its enclosure, my friend Matt and I overhead an older woman telling a young boy of 6 or 7, "Did you know that porcupines fling their quills that release poison to stun their attackers?" Both Matt and I turned to watch the woman and child hurry away. Wow! Where do these myths come from?

Nature myths seem to make nature so much more exciting. Then it hit me, will this kid grow up and tell his grand-kids something like "DID you know KNOW that porcupines inflate their hollow quills when they hold their breath, float over  their attackers and scream "Death from Above!" and then fall on the predator stunning it before blowing it to bits and poisoning it?" Nature educators have their jobs cut out for them. But the good thing here was--at least an adult had a child outside on a beautiful day to see nature and wonder about it.

Which brings me to my recent story at a library program where a young lady informed the crowd of kids that "snapping turtles climb out of their shells at the first sign of danger and that they have long sharp teeth--so beware of snappers!" That myth was gently dispelled and it actually went well with our weird animal theme. Kids had to create their own animal and find and draw their super adaptation powers in the Biofact Boxes of creepy: bones, bugs, bats, snakeskin, etc. And I had to wonder as this young storyteller bought both Holly Wild books from me, "Is another writer and storyteller born?" We can only hope.

Livin' The DREAM!

Holy Schmoley! Stop the Presses--OK, STOP my brain! Somebody please.

I can't believe how long it has been since I last blogged. I guess I have been busy. We at Bear Track Studios and Bear Track Press are always busy, but craziness is the word around here. We have just gotten the go ahead to put our HOLLY WILD book series out there in big numbers with offset printing. Offset printing means reediting and revising files--art and word. Lots of work there.

Then enters crazy fun commission stuff--like Paul Bunyan's great-grandkids--that hit the art table last month. Designing woman I am!

"Cookin' Cakes" by Lori Taylor

"And Choppin' Kindlin'" by Lori Taylor

Here are a couple of color sketches as I try to come up with the two brother characters. Still working on final designs--but you get the picture--I have to be in lumberjack mode. Which is great, because I love pancakes and flannel--two of my all time favorites. And axes.

Next, comes a picture book design for Mother Nature. But, not your ordinary Mother Nature--oh, no. Mutha Natcha! Mutha dons leopard print tights, pearls and frilled apron with scarf-wrapped blue hair and cat's eye glasses! Yeah, baby--now that's one WILD mother. And why the heck not? She totally rocks the nature world. I mean, look what we walking-talker humans have done to her. You gotta have a sense of humor to deal with the likes of us--her messy kids.

Mutha N. and her children

Of course, we all have pet projects that we take out from time to time to work on, eh? I don't mean HOLLY WILD Book 3, although I have been researchin', writing' and workin' on that and book 4--but eh as in you understand, right? The project I am working on is the art for a manuscript I wrote a few years back. The research and art from that came from field notes I took back in 1993. About time to get to it I'd say, eh?

Sanilac Petroglyphs Sketch by Lori Taylor

I have been wanting to write on the Sanilac Petroglyphs for a loooooong time. I start and put away and repeat about six times--every year--in September. There is something about September light and color that brings about introspection and drawing.

The story is about a young girl--no tribe in particular--the tribe of walking-talker humans maybe? Otter, I call her now, take a river journey--unintentional--goes through trials, discovers the rock and inscribes her stories on the back of the turtle-shaped sandstone the size of a classroom. I am doing the book in mixed media with pencil drawings of the story. (I can't wait to see the final outcome. It is stacked on the table in pieces at the moment.)

Concept Ink Sketch of Otter in the Cass River

If you are curious, go visit the glyph-covered (etched drawings) rock. Sanilac Petroglyph State Park is near Bad Axe in New Greenleaf Township. There are cool trails to hike and the ground thunders as you step upon soil--covered bedrock. A nice way to spend a fall day--before hunting begins. (I used to help do school visits to the area there of native food production and storytelling)  The area is truly a hidden Michigan jewel.

On Monday, Marie and I took a break and visited Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden. We both fell in love with the gorgeous prairie that hummed with life. Birds and bugs buzzed, the grasses waved and wildflowers showed off their blooms. Fantastic! If you feel stressed out--get thee to a prairie! Quick before the flowers go.

Mae Day Aug. 16, 2012

So you can see why I haven't blogged in so long. Oh, yes, I almost forgot! A new baby! My new granddaughter, tiny Mae Elizabeth Beaudoin made August a truly special month. A new walking-talker human, GeEK grandchild to schnoozle and cuddle!

So what is next on my agenda other than Oakland County Parks & Rec. artwork? A mural for the Pinckney Community Library, finishing up all these projects, time to get outdoors--and of course, babysitting!

Living the Dream! Times Ten!
Lori

NEW Holly Wild Book 2 Arrival!

"You there boy, do you know what day it is?" I screamed down to Marie as she watered the garden.

"Uh, Christmas Day, sir?" she replied, looking up at me on the balcony. There I stood, my hair frizzled, wearing three day-old clothes (inside out and backward) with one chicken-poop covered slipper on and my glasses tangled and sitting atop my aforementioned hair and frazzled head.

http://www.loritaylorart.com/Publications.html

"NO! It's the day before Holly Wild Book Two comes out," I yell and laugh maniacally as I toddle back into the house tripping over the other slipper, as well as the fan and the cat napping in the dog-bed. I don't get out much. 

Or at least I haven't gotten out much due to getting the book two out in time for our July 18th deadline (hence the three day old clothes--underwear not included). Since June, I have worked feverishly and furiously on getting the manuscript done, edited and dropped into my publishing program. I have worked diligently and deliriously, without stop, on scads and oodles of illustrations. I have worked with fear gripping my heart like a vise, or more like slamming it in a car door five times--as I saved, worked on, revised and fixed files to go to print.

Naturally, with all this intense work comes fear. Fear of storms wiping out my work, fear of my hard-drive crashing, fear of the cat dancing on the keyboard and wiping out my work and crashing my hard-drive. Fear of the files suddenly and mysteriously being wrong...fear that I forgot something...fear that I misspellled the first word of the chapter...see! Like that! Misspell! I could go on. Really, I could. Too much coffee, too much keyboard and not enough human contact.

How I look most of the time. (flies included)

The girls (Marie and Lisa--my Team) have been at art shows during much of this final pre-print phase, so it's been me and the chickens, me and the cats, and me and the dog eating popcorn together. And frankly, they really don't give that much feedback.

So the file went in, cover and all, last week. Crossing my fingers, my eyes and my toes (which is not easy after my big toe removal and replacement surgery a few years back)--I hit DOWNLOAD FILES. Gone. Weeks, months, and five years worth of story and memory--gone to the printer--to print lots of books, so it better be right.

Building a book is much like labor and delivery. I know. Been there, done that--twice. It think childbirth was easier. I did get to do my Lamaze breathing throughout file changes, cover sizing and pagination. I did have ice chips and my little fan nearby throughout ISBN, copyright and Library of Congress paperwork. I do look a little crazed, wild and woolly, like being in transition. Then afterward, calm and relief  after the cord and download portal is cut. Now my book is in the hands and rollers of the printer.

My Editorial Team dancing! (because I changed my clothes)

So what day is it today? "THE DAY BEFORE HOLLY WILD (BOOK TWO) Let Sleeping Bear Dunes Lie, COMES OUT!" So let's dance! But just for a moment or two because...

Next week I will be signing MANY books up at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Empire, then over to Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor then up to the Superior Children's Book Festival in Sault Ste. Marie...and in the midst of that, putting Book 3 together!

Get UP! Do the DUNES! Get your 
Holly Wild: (Book 2) Let Sleeping Bears Lie  Bear Track Press, $12.99
ISBN 978-0-615-65973-2

Go Be a GeEK!

Spring is here! Go be a GeEK (Geo-Explorer Kid).  Earth Day is coming! Go be a GeEK. Arbor Day, Michigan Week, May Day, Birthday, any day...go be a GeEK! My granddaughter and my kids are GeEKS and so am I--and now many children in North Branch, MI are too.

How do you become a GeEK? Simple. Get up, get out, and get dirty and muddy, get wet and wild. Come to your senses! Wake up and smell the skunk cabbage, listen to the bees, taste a sun-soaked violet flower, feel the moss under your toes, and look--really look, at the world around you. Use binoculars, a microscope or hand lens--or just your own two eyes. Roll around and rejoice in your GeEKiness!

Sit under a tree. Splash in a vernal pool. Hike a ridge and "make like a tree"--stand tall, walk slowly, and stop often. Being a GeEK is not an aerobic sport. You can't really and truly enjoy and appreciate the natural world at a fast pace. Slow down. Take a collecting bag for goodies or garbage or both. Take a lunch, take a pack, take a pillow. Take a poking stick, a hiking stick. Take a friend--young or old. You are never too young or too old to be a GeEK!

GeEK Gear! Collection bag, bottles, hiking stick, pack and snack!

Sing to a butterfly--that tiny, blue spring azure that flits by. Or sing to the speedwell in your lawn--that tiny, blue flower growing close to the ground. Write about your GeEK time or draw it or a bit of it. Be friends with other GeEKS and talk about it. There is no shame in being a GeEK. So get up, get out and GO BE A...

Happy Springing!

A breather at last! Happy springing into Spring everyone.

It's been a busy couple of weeks with county exhibits, Book Two revisions and the visiting of North Branch Elementary School with Kenny and Holly Wild books. I gave a talk and slide show and had kids pulling "biofacts" (dead things) out of a bag and shouting HERP! or NOT a HERP! I was surprised to see how observant they were. They had a great time and so did I. At the end of the presentation Kenny, my corn snake, took a bow. Of course, Kenny was a hit and stole the day. He got to be touched by over 600 kids. Here he is later in the afternoon getting acquainted with a few of my granddaughter's classmates.

Each child in Mrs. Jenuine's class got to make "poking sticks" and stamped animal tracks on them. Not to worry, they received proper poking etiquette--as soon as they had the sticks in their hot little hands! Hopefully, they are out discovering their greening world like good North Branch GeEKS (Geo-Explorer Kids) during their spring break.

So with all that busyness behind me, I took the day off today. I have been putting together a tiny vernal pool in an aquarium and watching the life within it. A calming hobby. I wanted to find some snail food (an excuse to get dirty) and see what else was kicking outside, so I had to get up, get out and get wild and get to the local vernal pool.

Wow! Fun stuff those pools. Still chilly outside, there was little frog song, yet I had a great time. I got to see a tiny polliwog hiding in leaves and my first fairy shrimp. Those wigggly-legged, micro-crustacean buggers are a half inch long--larger than I would have thought. I was looking for them when one popped its head into the sun for a minute. Thrill of the day.

 

www.vernalpool.org Fairy Shrimp

The water striders were striding and the water boatmen boating (no motor zone here--only 6" deep). I spotted a caddisfly larva with a house of sticks on its back. How cool is that? Needless to say, I was covered with pond water and vernal mud by the time I was done pond watching.

If you have time or are as curious as I am about vernal pools, pop on over to the vernal pool website above to learn more about the value of these spring waterholes of life and their value to the environment. As I left the pool, I got to see a few herps on their own outing--a garter snake climbing the hill and a wood frog on the bridge I crossed. I'm heading out again tomorrow--same time, same place, same nature channel.

Celebrate waking life and grab a poking stick and head to the woods and GO FIND SPRING!

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEPHANIE BAJEMA! SHE WON THE BLOG CONTEST DRAWING. WATCH for another blog contest on EARTH DAY, April 22, 2012.