It’s has been a wild ride lately. I have been up to something a little different. My proposal for a children’s book was recently accepted by my tribe, The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

The Tribe established the language program in 2003. I have been taking language classes with them since 2022. It’s a weekly class via zoom and it is usually one of the highlights of my week. The deadline was kind of tight. For the last several weeks I have been working with my teacher. He has been taking care of the translations, and I handled all the visuals. It was a really fun collaboration.

It turned out super cute. It’s about a kitty’s adventure. It’s in the design stage now. I am thrilled to be able to contribute in this way.

I can be a very organized person, but this project had me ‘on the ropes’, as they say. Just as I was entering into this project, Erin and I had the opportunity to adopt two 8 week old kittens. It was serendipitous. They provided a lot of inspiration, adventure and challenge. I worked on the book at the house while completely transforming the house to accommodate the new little ones. Erin was also in the last weeks of the school year, so we were both a little stretched. Nothing motivates like a hard deadline. I realize that I can create in chaos. I managed to finish 25 original illustrations for the book just in time.

We are both exhausted but happy to have made it. We are on the road now on a pre-planned trip and witnessing the chaos in the world. What we create within this chaos will be up to all of us. Let’s do our best to lift each other up.

Until next time take good care,

Zoe

Latest Read: Ceremony I have read this 3 times, once on audio book. It seems relevant now. I understand more each time I read it. Buy at your local bookstore or even better, check it out from your local library!

Art Date: San Francisco peeps! Go to this exhibit Imagined Spaces featuring Kristin Sard and Sophia Van Dyk at Analog Gallery.

Inspiration: Smokey and Rio, our new family members.

Shout Out: To everyone who is exercising their right to protest. Stay Safe and Keep it up.

This is #6 of Zoe Ani’s Tidbits & Tangents. You can subscribe or view the archives online.

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Zoe Ani