Tag: art

Unboxing “The Fox and the Crow: Art and Stories Inspired by Aesop”

Illustrator Michelle Buvala from “Mesquite Tree Studio” unboxes the first shipment of copies of The Fox and the Crow: Art and Stories Inspired by Aesop.” This book is a cooperative project with Sean Buvala. Sean, by the way, is responsible for the shaky camera. :-). Come take a look 3 minutes. Visit stealingthecheese.com to learn more.


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Now! You Wake Up One Morning. . .

cover of you wake up one morning featuring doodles of typical morning items such as a shcool bus unmade bed shower panckakes cerealA prompted journal for creative expression in words and art for kids in the ages (suggested) of 9-13. Get One Here.

You Wake Up One Morning. . .

  • . . .and there’s a tiger in the corner of your room.
  • . . .everything you wish for comes true.
  • . . .you are only 2 inches tall.

What Would YOU do? Create Your Answer in Words and Art!

This journal has dozens of fun prompts all about “waking up one morning” and so many different blank pages just waiting for creative thoughts and art: boxed pages, journal pages, college-ruled, storyboards, graphic-novel style layouts and more!

Choose and Get Started!

Take a look through the prompts and find one that gets your brain-juice flowing. Then find a page that lets you write your thoughts or make your art…whatever you want to do! There are no “right” answers in this journal, no correct way to be creative. Go for it!

Two Styles Available!

You can get the journal in paperback binding or spiral-bound. The spiral-bound uses a sturdy, professional-grade plastic coil binding designed to last. (The spiral-binding is on back order until December 1. Shipments with this binding will be delayed.)

A Great Gift!

Hey Parents, Grandparents and All Caregivers: Give the gift of mind-engaging, screens-down creativity! Take a look at this journal for the growing writer and artist in your world. With plenty of room for self-expression in a size that is backpack-perfect (7×10 inches), you probably have at least one “big kid” somewhere in your life who would love a journal like this.

Compiled by K. Sean Buvala, whose decades of experience in story development, creative expression and on-stage storytelling has taken him throughout the U.S. and Canada. The prompts in this book have been chosen to perfectly fit the fresh “abstract-thinking” mind of the preteen kid.

Also available on Amazon at http://a.co/d/1M0hY13.

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Art, Books, Stories in Goodyear.

Last weekend, we had a nice gathering of stories and art at BOONgarden in Goodyear, Arizona. We sold some books, sold some art and had a fine evening of adult storytelling. Here’s a brief clip from Sean Buvala sharing “The Strongest Man in Ireland.”

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Fox and Crow Teaser Video

Just a little video of Michelle working on the artwork for the next “The Fox and the Crow: Art and Stories Inspired by Aesop” book. Enjoy.

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Fairytales Teach…..Part Two

Are fairytales any good any more for modern audiences, for kids, for schools, for life? The fairytale has taken somewhat of a beating of late. Thought to be too “this” or “that,” it’s easy to miss the teachable moments in the middle of trying to seek balance in these older stories…or the new ones being made. Here are a few of our thoughts. This is the second posting in the series. You can see the first post at this link now. Part Three is linked at the bottom of this post. The illustrations in this collection are from our “Apples for the Princess” kid’s book. Please feel free to Pin or Book or Tweet or link to us on social media. More thoughts after the pictures…

4. Fairytales teach that life requires a journey.
Fairytales teach that life requires a journey. http://www.applesfortheprincess.com

5. Fairytales teach that things are not always what they seem.
Fairytales teach that not everything is at it first appears. applesfortheprincess.com

6. Fairytales teach that even those who live in castles have problems.
Fairytales teach that even those who live in castles can have big problems. applesfortheprincess.com

It’s important, we think, that we understand that nothing children (especially) encounter is done in a vacuum of experience. As parents, we need to actively engage in all media from ancient tales to modern phone screens. What is your child seeing? All media can be used to teach, even the moments that you think the child “isn’t ready for.” Engage. Look at your kids. Tell them fairytalesor read them. 🙂 .

GO to Part Three at this link now.

If you found this series of posts to be helpful, we hope you’ll consider picking up an affordable copy of Michelle’s book in paperback or Kindle. Thank you.

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Fairytales Teach….

Are fairytales any good any more for modern audiences, for kids, for schools, for life? The fairytale has taken somewhat of a beating of late. Thought to be too “this” or “that,” it’s easy to miss the teachable moments in the middle of trying to seek balance in these older stories…or the new ones being made. Here are a few of our thoughts. This is the first three of the series. You can find Part Two at this link now. Most of the illustrations in this collection are from our “Apples for the Princess” kid’s book. Please feel free to Pin or Book or Tweet or link to us on social media. Thanks!

1. Fairytales teach that our words can have consequences and rewards.
illustration with caption: fairy tales teach that our words can have consequences and rewards

2. Fairytales teach that one kind action can help and heal.
image with caption: fairytales teach that one kind action can help and heal

3. Fairytales teach that others should first be treated well with dignity.
graphic with caption: fairytales teach that others should first be treated well with dignity

It’s important, we think, that we understand that nothing children (especially) encounter is done in a vacuum of experience. As parents, we need to actively engage in all media from ancient tales to modern phone screens. What is your child seeing? All media can be used to teach, even the moments that you think the child “isn’t ready for.” Engage. Look at your kids. Tell them fairytales…or read them. 🙂 .

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New Video: Making of Art

Here’s a new video from our latest kid’s book project. In this short and casual video, Michelle is making some of the art for the “Apples for the Princess” book. Just a few moments of watching her create, along with some, umm, narration. Enjoy. Get the book at Amazon, too. 🙂

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