I have a lot of picture book opportunities forthcoming this spring (starting in the Arizona spring, which is about a week away). I’m also working on the third book in my series. To prevent being overwhelmed, I fine-tuned my planning and organization this morning. Even though I have been very busy, I still feel like Michi and Makoto in this picture. I am working but waiting and daydreaming on this picture book adventure of mine.  

I think the main characters Michi and Makoto, and I myself are all daydreaming and talking about a lot of the same things. That would be: dogs, children’s books, karate, friends both in the dojo and not, gardening, having a can-do attitude, reinforcing honesty, working on perseverance, and self-discipline. For me it’s more of a picture book adventure. For these imaginary karate friends, Michi and Makoto’s path is more of a karate adventure.

As planned, I busted through my illustrator’s block a week ago. And it’s a good thing too. For the last week, life and circumstances (mostly good things) have put up their own obstacles. This has made for a stuttering start to my illustration progress. But I’m happily back on track yet again. The proof is the picture above, which is part of a sketch for my third Dojo Kun Character Book, which will be about wrestling with quitting. Well, I’d best get back to work on it and back to my book adventure.

-Jenifer Tull-Gauger