Sarla in the Sky has arrived! The first published children's picture book I've illustrated in my hands. I'm shaking a little bit. Indulge me for a moment while I share something personal....When I was little I used to make little paper and cardboard books- binding and all. I made art books and poetry books & a cardboard version of Penny's book from Inspector Gadget. I made lots of art and had met picture book artists and wanted to be just like them. I dreamed of making books and art when I was tiny and held onto that dream for a long time. There was a point in my life where I began to let go of it- I heard myself say, "it wasn't meant for me", "I'm not good enough", and "it wasn't meant to be" I chose other paths and yet....here I am in this moment. In this moment holding my book!! I have dreamed about this moment for as long as I can remember- holding a book I made with a story I really believed in from an author I believed in. I'm so proud and so grateful. Anjali Joshi is a wonderful author and storyteller; I feel so honored that she and the Bharat Babies team believed in my work and art and chose me to bring the visual part of Sarla's story to life. I am so thankful for this team!
And thank you to everyone who helped me along the way- there are so many of you out there! I'm so grateful for all of the people who have supported me, went to my art shows, sold work on my behalf, bought paintings, bought prints or products, picked me up when I was low, encouraged me when things weren't certain, cheered me on when things went right, and in general were good to me when I needed it. It's real! It's here! Yay!!
You can order a copy of Sarla here: https://bharatbabies.com/products/sarla-in-the-sky?variant=16819772097 and there are still limited editions prints of Sarla available as well (only 50 total- all signed and numbered so get one while you can and support Bharat Babies so they can make more of these beautiful books!)
I know this will be the first of many books I illustrate and eventually I want to both illustrate and write a published book so stay tuned....there is more to come!
xo!