This month I sold a beautiful, old copy of Jane Eyre which is about a courageous young woman who falls in love. The timing was auspicious, so I thought I'd also discuss a client's book series whose covers I designed. “Child of the Mountain Gods” is a modern take on Charlotte Bronte's feminist heroine and trailblazer writing style.
The BBC launched a popular Sherlock Holmes television series, and as an illustrator, I've had all sorts of requests for “fan art” which I am happy to share. He has played an important role in the development of modern day forensics, but not without a controversial book banning. All of which adds to his appeal so I thought it would be a perfect topic for discussion.
Why wouldn't our wild things get psyched about the winter holidays? The evergreen is eyed with admiration and then our beloved pets will mark, jump, eat or climb it. Quite possibly, it'll even get toppled. While most people spend their time finding ways to keep pets out of their Christmas decor, my creative mother Martha Strum found a way so that your pets have a place on the Christmas tree.
This month's book selection is "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. For the past 500 years, Native Americans have faced violence and brutality, continuing assimilation policies, denial of land rights, and armed conflict. On Tofurkey Day you celebrate Underdogs such as Native Americans. Want to get into the spirit of Tofurkey Day? The traditional meal to serve is, of course, a Tofurkey.
On March 14th we celebrate International Pi Day. “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel tells the story of a young Indian who is lost at sea in a lifeboat with an orangutan, a zebra, a hyena, and a tiger. A reviewer wrote that “Life of Pi” was about God, survival, and tiger training. I showed my fine art at a Big Cat Rescue Fundraiser in Tampa which rescues exotic cats and rehabilitates injured or orphaned native wild cats. Big Cat Rescue was the subject of Netflix's “Tiger King” not long after the fundraiser.
