what were reading / with bookroo

[bookroo] is a monthly subscription service that delivers books to your door. three books a month if you choose board books and two books a month if you choose picture books. bookroo is such a great idea to kick start kids into wanting to read at a young age. it brings the excitement of getting a new book and the urge to want to read.

lincoln was so excited to receive book "presents" in the mail. his picture books came wrapped in wrapping paper, which had him dancing while he opened them. he took them right into his tent and observed each book carefully. the two books we got this month: "Pirate Nap: a Book of Colors" a book about pirate boys learning colors and "Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleepover" a silly book about an animal sleepover party underground in a rabbit's hole. 

even our dog prince was into the new books.

bookroo's mission:
our mission is to enable and empower parents to build their children's book collections in an affordable and exciting way through curated monthly book deliveries. we believe in the power and impact of the written word in the life of a child, and believe it’s never too early to start reading to children!

[click here for $4 off your subscription]
your discount will automatically be applied at checkout
also bookroo is having a summer special [buy one, gift one]
these subscriptions make amazing gifts.

other books [we've read]

word on the street / finding your "style"

the term "artist" is so quickly labeled to a specific kind of person. but in fact there are sooo many different types of art, which makes so many people artists in their own way, and each with their own style.

i was actually drawn to photography because it is a creative process that is more mathematical in terms of your outcome. lining up your composition, lighting your subject, editing to a precise point. i get cameras, i get film, i get chemical processes, i get computers.

but i became frustrated in undergrad at art school, because so many of my peers were multi-talented. amazing photographers, and had a hand at oil painting with amazing technique, or could draw so realistic you would of thought you were looking at a black and white photograph.

it took me a while until i felt comfortable with my own style of drawing. i have shaky lines that don't always connect with each other perfectly. my shapes aren't sharp or perfect either. color is really important to me. i am inspired by children's books illustrations and how unique they all are with their own style.

the best way to get good at any method, material, idea, is to keep on. you teach yourself so much in the process, its worth it to make as many mistakes as you can. drawing has always been something i've been shy of, and sometimes have to force myself into projects just to practice. but i finally feel like my "style" can stand on it's own and relate to me. i still always doubt myself in the process, and know i still have a long way to go, but the end result always makes me happy. so i keep on.

(drawings below are from oldest to most recent)

what we're reading / 3

"bus stops"

by: [taro gomi]

such a fun city kid book. unique and bright illustrations.