The Children's Book. Seriously and Finally and Almost.

In some ways I've been torturing myself for the past few years about this children's book.  Not because I didn't want to do it, or that I don't completely love thinking about and making it, but because I, in all honesty, was totally afraid to fail.  I kind of still am, but I came to a point in July where I said to myself, "enough is enough".  I knew that if I didn't follow through with this project I'd talked about for so long, I'd only be disappointing myself.  I asked fear to kindly step aside, because I had some things to work on.  And I started working.  Everyday during Remy's naps, and when he goes to bed, I bring out the pencils, my walnut ink and trusty bamboo stick and my trustiest watercolors and I work.  There's a whole lot I want to say about the process, but because I still have a few pages left to finish in my book, I will leave that to later.  I will say something though that will be of no surprise to anybody, but entirely useful to almost all of us.  Sometimes we just need to START!  I had nearly paralyzed myself because it was so terrifying to start the project.  I didn't know where it would go.  would it be perfect!?  I wanted it to be.  Well, here it is, near completion, and no, it's not perfect.  But it exists, and I am getting rather excited about it, and Remy laughs at the paintings.  I am no longer worried about failing, okay, I'm a little worried, but I'm also pretty okay with it.  It's not like I haven't experienced it before.  Without further ado then, here are some paintings from the book.  You may have seen some of them if you follow me on instagram.  In the coming weeks I am going to launch a kickstarter project to try and get the funds for the first run of printed books, of which 1/10 will go to a classroom in need, so stay tuned.  I'll probably post something on instagram when I launch, so follow me if you'd like @birdsofashmae.  Also, I should say, I've had such incredibly supportive and kind friends, both people I know and people I don't, that believe I can do things.  Tell me what you're up to, I'd love to love you back.