Creating a New Page One: Migrating Back to the North

I’ll be adding more Geese to fill the sky with life.

My second children’s book will begin the same as the first: with Momma Jay deciding that it’s time to move her family again, this time to the North for the summer. In this picture she’ll be watching flights of Canadian Snow Geese heading north while thinking that it’s time to move the family again. She’s concerned that the kids are not going to like her decision. She doesn’t know it yet, but Buddy and Jimmy are going to have plans of their own. After all, Buddy still wants to reunite with his family in the mountains of Mexico. Being afraid to go by himself, he’s going to ask Jimmy, his best friend, to go with him. Momma’s not going to like that idea at all, but then again, every book needs a little conflict to keep things interesting.

Jimmy Jay meets Buddy Butterfly

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Here’s another version of Jimmy meeting his friend Buddy. I’m trying out Buddy’s color scheme and wing markings. I’m considering this painting another inch forward towards my March 31 deadline that’s looming on the horizon. I now have 61 days to finish this. It sounds like a lot, but with only a couple of hours a days, I’m going to hustle. Getting this book finished is a big deal.

I haven’t got a finalized page yet and I’m feeling the pressure. To cite my favorite metaphysical poet, Andrew Marvell,

“But at my back I always hear
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity. ”

Enough poetry!

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I didn’t forget Jimmy Jay’s nose this time.