Life has been speeding up. The sun has started to linger a little longer. We have had quite a few consecutive sunny days this past week as well as a couple of days reaching almost 60 degrees F – which in a Romanian January is a clear sign of evidence that global warming IS real. Although I don’t want to get into all of the injustices of the world right now, it must be mentioned. Perhaps to be analysed at a later date.
The sun has given me a boost to start laying down the bricks for some upcoming projects. I have gotten my art studio set up – a large piece of canvas tapped to the wall, another stretched canvas on the easel.
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Something exciting I would like to share – I am now, officially, a published illustrator! Last summer I started working on a project – a children’s book – with a Greek author. She had already published a novel and had had this children’s story tucked away, waiting.
Versalia, the story of an unusual giraffe, was a story that I could see as I read it. I’m super grateful that I had the opportunity to bring her to life.
You can find sketches and some images from the project here. Above are some concept sketches. I drew the scenes in pencil and then coloured digitally. If you would like to see the full book with the final drawings you can find a link below.
Versalia
Versalia is a very special giraffe. She doesn’t look like any other. However, Versalia will do everything possible to look like the other giraffes, to be able to be the same as everyone else because she believes that’s how she will be happy.
But will she gain her happiness this way? Versalia’s story is a struggle for conquering what’s different and accepting it.
A reminder to love ourselves as we are because only then will we conquer true happiness in life.
You can also order the book digitally or physically below.
MARIA MICHAELA 
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