The Magic of Ori

We are all from similar beginnings and posses a bit of the same power that allows Ori to make his dreams real.

Without art, Persian culture could be lost forever. Nicolette, Sholeh, and Negin, my Iranian friends, thank you for encouraging me to finish. I hope this story helps open the minds of our children to an expansive world, teaches them to navigate a path during difficult times and gives them hope for brighter days ahead. 

A special thanks to Hossein Amirsadeghi whose belief in preserving the Persian spirit by artistic vocabulary inspired me to help this endangered culture maintain its permanence. 

In 2020, I had made arrangements to attend the International Children's Book Festival in Bologna, Italy. I was getting out of the car at Logan airport when the festival was canceled due to COVID. While I was in Rome, Italy, I gathered amazing reference of the Colosseum and its surrounding environment seeing as I was the only one allowed to walk the premises. 

These are initial sketches of characters that will appear in the book. However, portrayed as cats.

SHE

Think, learn, listen, teach - mentally be stronger. Care. Respect your name. Don't forget to laugh. Don't be afraid to cry. Feel your skin change and grow, everyday. Voice your opinion. Listen to the sound of your voice - change slowly. Advance. Become a woman. Be proud to be a woman. Love. 

These illustrations are a series of sketchbook pages from the time I traveled to Ladakh, India -harnessing Zen Buddhism along my journey. The story is in developmental stages. However, a young monk, Buddha and Guru Dragpo will be integral characters used to illustrate the philosophy, we are small in the scheme of it all.

During the Revolutionary War from 1775-1783, fife and drum were used to deliver military commands in the loud chaos of battle. Music boost morale. But one child would use it to deliver a more important message.

With a nod to the Charles Darwin Foundation, the exotic animals of the archipelago personify real life rockstars and  put on a show in the Galapagos Islands like the internationally acclaimed Lalapalooza. 

More illustrations coming soon.

Having studied venery for a few years now, I've become quick to create my own. "Lisp of Lizards" is my coined venery. Using venery is a fun way for children to think creatively about words in the English language. It surprises them and excites them. Children excited to read is what we want. 

Illustrations coming soon...

A boy at school seems to have poor grammar until we find out he really has two moms. 

Animals from all over the world representing different countries, ride monster waves, and overcome their fears.

Illustrations coming soon...