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     This small board book is the first my family owns by Jane Foster, though she seems quite renowned. The illustrations are quirky and the concept is simple: black and white. It is a great book for the little ones. By this I mean it is good for a young toddler who is just learning the animals and the colors, or the concept of opposites, but it's likable simplicity also lends itself for the older children who may simply enjoy it beauty or looking through it to see some of their favorite animals. My son, for examples, particularity enjoys the happy penguin because that is one of his favorite animals at the moment.       Find it on Amazon .com or see the video of Ms.Carmina reading the book bellow.

The rooster struts is a simple and quick book for attentive children. The illustrations are quite true to reality, though every animal has some sort of personality all their own, and the text consists of matter-of-fact observations that are somehow comical. I was happy to find The rooster struts , as I already loved I am a bunny , and my boy G seems just as keen.

     This large board book is looks fresh and cool. Every page is clean and white with a centered blue Rhinoceros illustrating a word.  The rhyming words are simple but witty, as in the pages of "Shade" & "Lemonade" where the shade is provided by a lemon tree which our Rhino friend makes quick work of and has a pitcher of lemonade in the next page. Another one of my favorites are the juxtaposed pages of "Caring" & "Daring" where first we see Rhino walking his dog happily in the 'Caring" page and then we see him walking the tightrope with the frightened pup on his head. You thought this was a simple stupid book, but you were wrong. You see, the illustrations are funny and cute, often even featuring textures like for the words Mossy or Quilted.         In practice, my son loved Rhymoceros from age 1.5 and he still loves it at 2+. He has learned the story and is eager to see the book and touch the textured pages. Not only t...

Why is it that when one listens to a song the expectation is to ascribe your own meaning experiences and feelings to it yet with visual art folks are often dumbfounded by the supposition that there is a hidden meaning meant to be interpreted by connoisseurs alone. An art work shown is an art work gifted to the public. Now if only I could have some of mine printed and published in say a Phaidon retrospective hardcover. But for now this will do. Here is my gift to you; Self portrait, 2009 Oil on wooden panel

     On Sep 14th of 2017, I gave birth to my second child, Maya. The birth was a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) as well as a planned home delivery. It was a very special experience, as I think all births should be, but it wasn't without difficulties. I was going into this birth with more experience and better informed. Better informed because I had studied some and because midwives are less condescending to pregnant women/birthing      I was accompanied by my husband, Angelo, my mom, my Doula, Britney and two midwives, Heather and Gerry, plus their apprentice Andrea. Additionally my dad and my best friend were in the living room holding down the fort with my son Giulio (2 yo).      I was chilling with my strategy of Hypnobirthing until it became obvious that Maya was not moving smoothly down the birth canal. After she got past the cervix it should have been quick and easy but it was long and hard instead. I moved in and ou...

Always remember not to take myself too seriously, and to hang out with those who remind me of the same :)