Though I’ve sworn off writing fiction and instead have thrown myself into oil painting, I’ve realized recently that maybe there’s a way to do both.
The day after Christmas, my old Schnauzer Anna passed away from complications of dementia and heart disease. My dog Granola was very close to her old doggy sister, though she also adores her middle- aged buddy Scruffy. One day I noticed Granola looking in a mirror, so I photographed her as I often do. I decided instantly to paint it but then got the idea to add Anna in, but only on one side.
From there I became completely pulled into the idea of writing a book about loss for children. I planned out the book on index cards, just like old times. Though this time there weren’t as many cards as an 80,000 word novel needs a bit more planning.
I decided to start the story when Granola was little. These paintings still need a little touching up but they’re a good sneak preview.
Over time, Anna’s age started to get the best of her. One day she got sick and Granola and Scruffy waited and waited. But she didn’t come home… Note my masterful sketches I use as a guide.
After that day, the pups were very sad…
Soon after, in the book, Granola sees Ghost Anna in the mirror, where it all started. She is very excited until she jumps right through her. She runs and hides but eventually comes out again, tentatively. Again, not to worry, these paintings are drafts. I’d never post drafts of writing online but with paintings I think it’s fun to see the process. I’m grateful my dogs are so good about picture time.
After that, when Granola saw Anna’s ghost wasn’t going to hurt her, it made her happy. Anna stuck around for a while. They hung out and played games together, though Scruffy couldn’t see her and thought it was her imagination. Why I got the idea of puzzles I’ll never know but I thought it would be fun to paint.
That’s plenty of teaser for now. I’ve got a lot more paintings done and only ONE PICTURE left to paint. Then I have to work out the narrative part. I know what I want to say but any good writer will tell you, it’s how you say it. And that, I don’t have figured out yet.
I’ll share more soon but didn’t want you all to think I was being lazy or binge watching TV with my “free” time. Okay, I am also binge watching TV, from behind my easel. I highly recommend Offspring and Wilfred. I’ve recently started watching LOST which I haven’t seen since it aired. And of course the perfect shows whose seasons end all too quickly, This Is Us and Call the Midwife.
Until next time, happy painting!
Tracy
Tracy L Carbone's Bit of Everything Site 
Great work!
That is how I started too. I wrote and illustrated my own children’s book.
I quickly found out that I wasn’t much for a writer and I focused on illustrations instead. 😄
Thanks. That’s good to know. I’ve got sequels ready in my head. It’s much more calming than writing adult fiction. Did you use traditional publishing or self pub?
Traditional would be the dream, but unfortunately I haven’t got any responses from any of them.
If you choose to self publish on Amazon and you don’t know where to start, let me know!
Amazon does have a guide and it is not very difficult, but I have too many people getting frustrated with the processes, including myself haha.
Have you ever tried digital drawing? Many apps can also make it look like it is oil painted or water colored and many more options!
Sketchbook is quite nice and it is for free and ad free.
I recently downloaded procreate. It was about 10$, but supposed to be more advanced.
I am still figuring it out 😅