Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert, and the Most Perfect Weather Ever

Oh, today was one of the most beautiful days on record. It's fall, it's 80 degree, with NO humidity and just gentle breezes.  Oh, my words are so lackluster here.  Please suffice it to say, that I kept thinking all day long and until the sun set, this is one of the most perfect days the Midwest has ever known.  I felt like I floated when I walked, it was so gentle and easy, the warm blowing air cocooning over me. So you can get my drift, here's a little picture of the colors around me--our neighbor's tree across the street.

See what I mean?  Look at those leaves and the color of that sky!  Heaven.

Now here also is heaven.  The book, "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert.  I had it on pre-order from amazon and I received it 2 weeks ago.  I was on vacation that week and read almost all of it, but saved and savored the last bit for today.  Please get it.  It talks of the perseverance in practicing whatever art we want to follow regardless of any outside acclaim.  She talks of having faith in your path and SO MUCH more.  I love you Elizabeth Gilbert!!  I could quote every line in the book.  In fact, I have so many pages dog-eared and underlined and starred it's ridiculous.  Seriously, this tome is one of the best books on creativity I have ever read.

Here's a drawing I did on the inside cover while I was pondering over some of E. G.'s words.

Incite 3: The Art of Storytelling - North Light Books

On Friday I received quite a gift!  I have an illustration and blurb in the North Light Books publication called Incite 3:  The Act of Storytelling (Incite:  The Best of Mixed Media)

(edited by Tonia Jenny), and it's available through amazon.com  or www.northlightshop.com.  I found out in December 2014 that I was included and now here it is!

I am honored to say this is the third North Light Books publication I have been blessed to be included in.  Here's a link to those other books if you are interested.

Here's a picture of the cover:

Art Journal Kickstarter - North Light Books

I have some exciting news!  Tomorrow is the official release of a book I am in called "Art Journal Kickstarter" (edited by Kristy Conlin) and it's available through www.amazon.com or www.northlightshop.com.  I found out last May that I was included in it, but the road to publication takes awhile, and you just never know if your photo, the dimensions of the artwork, final edits, etc. might kick you out.  Being a little cautious, I wanted to wait before announcing my inclusion.
Hmm, I'm not really that cautious, so I must have just been superstitious that something might go wrong if I advertised in advance. (-;

Anyway, the publishers did state that they had over 1,000 submissions and ended up choosing a final 98 or 99.  Let me tell you, I am thrilled beyond words, and for a wordy girl, that's saying a lot! (-:

Here's a picture of the cover:

Here'a another North Light book I was in which was released in November of last year:

It was a re-release, including 30 additional artists, of Leslie Riley's book from November 2013 which looks like this:

The above edition is no longer published, having been replaced by "Inspirational Quotes Illustrated" but you can get it used for $350.00.  Yowzah!