Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tracey, Sj and Jocelyne cropped (1 of 1)

1 Year Ago…

I met two friends from high school for dinner.

It was August 2017, and I had come to the mainland (from Kaua‘i) to write.

What was I going to write?

I had NO idea.

But I just knew that I had to write. I knew that it was time to rid myself of distractions. And make a commitment (to myself) to show up each and every day. Something was brewing within me, and I could feel that it needed to be shared with the world.

Yes, the world!

In time, I began to realize that it was simply a message of love. That you’re loved and perfect as you are.

Text from Tracey 8.15.2018

Written by Tracey, my beautiful friend on my right.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to receive this text and discover how deeply my expression of love (which revealed itself as my first book My Life as a Mule) touched my friend’s heart.

It still thrills me to the core of my being to know that something I wrote, OR more correctly, something that was written through me, brought joy to someone. A smile to their face.

Okay, Sj, that’s nice for you (you’re thinking), but what’s that got to do with ME?

I felt led to remind you that the world needs YOUR love as well! Yes, the WORLD!

No one but YOU can express the love that you are in the way that you do.

So, please, let your light shine! Show the world how very, very beautiful you are. We need you. Exactly as you ARE.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

✫ Sj ✫

And my beautiful friend on my LEFT is the illustrator of my book, Jocelyne Shiner!!!!!!

P.S. Wondering where you can order your copy?

Through Amazon.

You’re Invited!

Local Flagstaff Artist, Jocelyne Shiner, Chosen as the Illustrator in

Sj LeHoven’s New Book: My Life as a Mule.

Reception With Original Drawings, Book Reading & Signing to Be Held at Jocelyne’s studio on Sunday, August 26th from 4 to 7 p.m. Paso Del Norte Bldg, studio 12, 123 S San Francisco Street, Flagstaff

The author and illustrator graduated from high school together in Knoxville, Tennessee. They reconnected and enjoyed collaborating on this book. “From my perspective,” explained Jocelyne, “as eager as Sj was to release this story from her soul, I was as eager to bring her characters to life visually. Molly and I became instant friends, and it was an honor to draw her. My childhood came back time and again, and Sj had a good laugh when I revealed my inspiration for one of her characters! (our high school English teacher) Sj initially requested black and white ink illustrations; I quickly suggested graphite instead. The rich texture and layering of lines and erasure allowed me to give each character and scene much depth and history. May you enjoy Molly, her family and friends, as much as I did.”

Check out the amazing invitation that Jocelyne made!!!!

There will be PRINTS of some of the drawings on hand that you can purchase (and Jocelyne will sign : ) as well as books. AND…we have some super groovy mugs for sale!

See you there or at another event soon!

Jocelyne’s pictorial version of the book in a 18×24″ poster. : ))) She’s soooo talented!!!!