Rhode Island School of Design's Children's Book Illustration Summer class

This week I was a guest speaker at my friend and colleague Cheryl Kirk Noll's class at RISD. Cheryl has been teaching Children's book illustration for many years (she also heads up the Children's book illustration Certificate Program). Cheryl's summer class has long been a favorite at RISD and I enjoyed talking about my experiences in Children's books. Read more about the certificate program here!
My Nephew Sam who is attending Johnson & Wales helped his Aunt haul her bag of books to the class room.

Students hard at work before class.


Good thing Sam came along. It would have been hard to turn on the projector with out a ladder. As you can see teacher Cheryl didn't have a prayer of reaching it!








Some of the students. Future Children's Book Illustrators check out my books and sketches.

Weston's New Authors and Illustrators...and how they came to be!!!

For the past 15 years I have been part of a wonderful program at the Weston Field School where I teach the talented 4th graders how to illustrate their own story with cut paper art..
Pictured above are Pat Keogh who hired me all those years ago, and the school's Principal Matt Lucy.
There are so many people that make this such a special event including Mary Ann Mattoon and Terry & Sandy at the front desk. Thank you all for asking me back year after year!

Jeff Kelly (pictured below) begins this program by helping the kids write the story. I come weeks later to enhance their stories with illustrations. The end results are incredibly creative hand made books !! Please click on links in the text below for more pictures.

Author Jeff Kelley and 4th Grade Teacher Mrs. Brewer with some of the new kid's Books.


Two of the new Authors and Illustrators! John Paul Champa "Lost Skiing" and Camille Tulloss "First Catch?" To see more talented kids books click here.


Here is Mrs. Davis with a few of the wonderful books in her class room. For more teachers, librarians, and books click here.



Here is my name spelled out on cards the kids designed. They each recite a clever line about me starting with the letter. Note the cut paper portrait of me in the purple shirt.


At the end of the school year, Jeff and I are invited back to see the kids and their finished books. After a classroom play, parents, teachers, librarians Jeff and myself gather in the gym to thank WEEFSIE the people and funds that support this wonderful program.

A burst of Purple in the Garden

Just a smattering of purple in my studio garden.The tinker bell lilacs and violet flocks just stopped blooming last week. I never tire of watching my gardens, each morning a new surprise!

Memorial day Parade

It was a perfect day to be out in our 1924 Model T touring car. My husband and I were invited to drive our car in the local Milford parade. The parade lasted about an hour. Half way through the route, the parade stopped for a ceremony and the playing of the national anthem. Just as the parade resumed a pair of jet fighters flew over head. A beautiful patriotic day! See more pictures here!

Art Appreciation & Five Crows Shop

My cat Minky found a comfortable place to lounge...up against my framed art work.
Some of my original cut paper pieces (like Minky's favorite) are now at
"Five Crows" in downtown Natick. It's a very cool store with loads of beautifully hand crafted works of art. Check it out if you are in the area! Tell Paula I sent ya!

Happy Mothers day

Happy Mothers Day to all you moms.
Here is my mom enjoying Sunday brunch with my new/old china. She is cute as a button at 78 years young!

I've been blogged about!

Check out the excellent piece Rob Dunlavey wrote about me.
I should hire him as my publicity agent!
Thanks Rob!!