Masked Toonz

April 27th, 2025

It's almost the end of April, so let's go over all the fun things that happened this month!

For one, I was featured at a local author's panel at the Renfrew Library yesterday. It was raining, so not many people came (though, you'd think a rainy day would be the optimal time to come to a library...) but I read my book and talked about it to all who listened. While I Paint, Therefore I Am was written with children in mind, it was nice to see the reactions of adult artists to the book's message as well. Some attendees confided in me that they related to Art in many ways, as they too had experienced burnout and knew what it felt like to want to give up.

When I read my book in one of my local Elementary Schools, the same message didn't quite land, I think because most of the children hadn't really had the chance to experience the burnout that Art goes through in the story. A lot of them couldn't fathom why being expected to paint all day could be undesirable, and that's probably a good thing! Artistic burnout is something I wouldn't wish for anyone to go through. My main goal with writing The Descoones Series is that, one day,if someone finds their interest in a hobby begins to sway, that they can look back on my stories and realize that their feelings are valid. There is no shame in taking a break and trying something else.

For two, April is Autism Acceptance Month! This is an important month for me, as I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (formerly Asperger's Syndrome) when I was already in middle school. Going so long without answers and struggling through school, not knowing there was something that made learning especially difficult for me made the Public School system a living nightmare.

If you haven't guessed it yet, I wrote Art with an Autism diagnosis in mind. Sensitivity to failure or struggle, trouble communicating needs with others and taking things very literally are all traits Art exhibits, which are also common traits exhibited by autistic children.

March 9th, 2025

I went out to the thrift store yesterday. Look what I found!

It's a raccoon with the word "Art" on his butt! You can't get more perfect than that!

I've actually been trying to hunt down lots of different secondhand raccoon related things to use as decor for when I do booths at art fairs. I also found a crocheted raccoon, which I would have loved to take, but because of how personal I'm sure it was, I would hate for its crafter to see it not in the hands of its intended owner at a booth. I just hope a kid sees it and decides to pick it up so it doesn't wind up in a landfill.

I'm also beginning work on making the activity sheets for the site. So far, that includes an introduction to braille and a fun little maze. Once they're done, I'll probably be handing them out for free at events as well.

Hey! Why not put my button on your website?

It's pretty cool!