Artisan. No, Writer. Writer. No, Artisan. . .

Looking out the window with her coffee in hand,

Julia had a sudden urge to go outside.
The sun shone warmly and the dew
was evaporating right before her eyes.
Spring seemed everywhere today.
She glanced back at her computer-
work was piled up and the curser was blinking expectantly.
"Work can wait" she thought as she ran upstairs to change.
Pulling on jeans and a v-neck sweater, she glanced in the mirror.
It had been a tough winter-she had been feeling overworked and
overwhelmed-and it was beginning to show on her face.
She needed something new to keep her feeling alive.
"This will do it" she thought as she reached for
the new dragonfly necklace she purchased on Etsy.
As she headed out the door she was lost in thought-
fingering the pendant,it symbolized a fresh start:
warmer weather, some freedom, new beginnings.
Her feet carried her out to her mailbox where she promptly
crashed into someone-"oh sorry!" she began, looking up
for the first time into a set of perfect teeth in a sheepish,
grinning tanned face. "No, I'm sorry," he said,
"I saw you coming and should have said something.
I'm Sean, your new Postman. Nice necklace."

This might just be a very very good spring, she mused.

Julia held up her long brown hair in a ponytail,
away from her face. “Maybe I should do something
with my hair, maybe I should cut it short”.
She let it fall. “What do you think, Harry?”
Harry, who had been gazing at her, cocked his head
and placed a paw over his nose. “Hmmm, maybe you’re right,
maybe I should leave it for now". Harry barked, relieved.
“It’s just that it’s spring-wouldn’t it be nice
to change things up for spring?
No? How ‘bout a walk then?”
Harry‘s toenails clattered across the floor
as he took off to get his leash.
She put on her favorite necklace-
a beautiful suspended copper butterfly
that she bought on Etsy,
and turned back and forth in the mirror,
admiring the way the light refracted from it.
Pulling her hair into a ponytail and securing it, she frowned.
“I wouldn’t look that bad in short hair , would I?”

Artisan handmade jewelry is prized for its uniqueness, variety and often unsurpassed beauty. Writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images, whether fiction or non-fiction.

Leanne (aka Industrial Poppy) has combined both skills so beautifully. I wait, with baited breath, to read the next chapter of Julia's life. More importantly, to view the amazing art which will portray that chapter.

BFF - Best Friends Forever

Milton and Lionel - BFF

This is Milton, the Abominable Lovable Jackalope
who was lost from his family in a terrible snow storm.

During his search for his family, Milton finds comfort
in a new friend named Lionel, a sad and lonely firefly.

Together they continue the search
and learn a bit about each other along the way....

The moment I saw this illustration, I was in love. So much so, I purchased it. Mikiep hopes to make this an animated film someday. I'm in his corner rooting for him all the way!

But his talent doesn't stop there. He's taken being a superhero to a whole new level. Look at what he has illustrated to inspire children to be heroes saving the world.






















Mikiep's delightful, whimsical and extraordinary illustrations should be an inspiration to us all!