New Children’s Book Release: The Amazing Magical Musical Tree

The following is taken from my most recent studio newsletter. If you would like to receive my periodic newsletter by email, please send me a message. Thank you!

Dear Clients and Friends,

I write to let you know about a new children’s book I recently published called The Amazing Magical Musical Tree. This work took me seven years to complete, and is available for sale on Amazon. If you would like a signed copy or special inscription for gift-giving, you can opt to purchase directly!

I also published a Journal and a 36-Month Calendar featuring some of my favorite artwork from over the years.

The Amazing Magical Musical Tree:

The Adventures of Two Brothers

OrderThe Amazing Magical Musical Tree: The Adventures of Two Brothers

Signed copies ordered directly are $20 each and you can use this custom payment link ~

~ just fill in correct amount and specify for “book(s).”

I will follow up with an email to clarify the inscription you want;

or, you can email me first!

Thank you!

The Amazing Magical Musical Tree is a story of two brothers who take a trip to the Farmer’s Market and return home with a magical seed that is guaranteed to grow overnight, if given the proper care.

Follow the story of how together, Super Teddy and Pteradactyl discover the secret ingredient to sprouting magical seeds. See them go from expectant hope to puzzled discouragement, and finally, through perseverance, find themselves in joyful amazement! In a world where too often things seem too complicated (even upside-down and backwards!), this simple story is a reminder that the world is still a beautiful place and we each have a purpose and giftings.

The intentional nurture of faith, virtues and purity of expression through music is a purposeful pathway to cultivating a joyful heart, even (and especially) in a world that challenges both the young and old with sorrows and tears. As we see in the end, seeds are meant to be planted and then shared again, keeping the cycle of all that is right in the world to be both cultivated and spreading–from our family, to our immediate communities, and to the world.

To Think, To Feel, and To Write:

A Journal For This-and-That

Order To Think, To Feel, and To Write: A Journal For This-and-That

Written expression of our thoughts and feelings on a regular basis holds a place of importance in our story and life journey. It is my hope that this little journal I’ve put together featuring some of my artwork through the years will provide others with a space of beauty wherein they can express and create through their own words in a way that helps them connect more deeply to God, to their own self and to others.

Thirty-Six Months of Flowers and Fields

2023 – 2025 Calendar

Order Thirty-Six Months of Flowers and Fields
2023-2025 Calendar

This 36-Month Calendar features floral art and landscapes by artist Eileen Slifer, and month-by-month rotation of the words ~love~joy~peace~patience~kindness~goodness~gentleness~faithfulness~self-control~ for reflection.

Coming Soon!
(I mean…as soon as possible!!)

The Seven Flights
of Spiro the Sparrow

Spiro the Sparrow is the story of one of God’s little birds that soar the skies and hop in the fields of creation, taking note of humans.

Each day Spiro begins his day singing along with all the other birds in preparation for his first flight after the dawn.

On his flight each day he notices three things– a child feeling happiness, God’s works, and a child feeling distress. In this particular story, distresses seemingly arise from a child experiencing large numbers that produce fear and sadness in the adults in the child’s little world.

Each child then asks, “Why did God make numbers?”

Fly along with Spiro the Sparrow from Monday through Sunday–when the answer to why God originally created numbers presents itself!

God not only made numbers for musical counting, and but also for many other things that are good, right and holy in the world. And these are the things that count the most!

Spiro–whose name means “basket used to carry seeds”–is a sign of God’s care and presence. All the children that he has each day in his seven flights that week are gathered together on the seventh day.

The last scene brings an interesting, happenstance encounter between the little bird and the little children!

For more information on this new Work-in-Progress
and to learn how you can partner with me to create more children’s books with thoughtful, wholesome messages please visit this link

I am thinking that some people (especially those of us my age and older!) may not have fully understood my new Patreon page presented in my last newsletter. Patreon is a crowdsourcing platform where those who have particular interest in the success of an artist, musician or other type of entrepreneur can partner with small pledges (as low as $5 a month or “buying a cup of coffee” so-to-speak per month) toward the artist’s overall costs of being in business, or toward a specific project that catches their eye.

My goal going forward is to create as much art and beauty in the world as possible–given my age–and in order to keep doing this, alongside offering the products and services I’ve offered for over thirty years, having Patrons would help me ride through this life season and the difficult economic times we are all facing.  I do recognize that art is a luxury and the increasing sacrifices my clients make to still purchase gifts and art during these times, and for that, I am grateful.

On Patreon, I intend to share works-in-progress, art-related written musings or essays, originals for sale, and more.  Any client is able to “subscribe” to My Patreon without monetary pledging, simply for the purpose of being notified by email when I post in case their interest is piqued by some title!

For those who would want to make a small pledge, below are screenshots of the various tiers, so you know in advance what to expect/how to navigate this online platform.  Each pledge tier has associated perks including access to video tutorials and merchandise benefits. For those who regularly order wedding gifts or might want custom portrait work from me, you might consider monthly pledging (in the proper tier level) to help my cash flow be more even, and then receiving quarterly credits to redeem gifts as needed! Essentially like a “Christmas Club” membership.

I am interested in creating painting tutorials for those wanting deeper art instruction. I often film segments of works-in-progress.   This does take labor-intensive work in joining the vidoes together in a way presentable on YouTube. While I enjoy doing this, I also need to generate revenue from all that I do. Below are public links on YouTube to the beginnings of one such tutorial. This house portrait is not yet finished.

With corresponding Patreon subscription pledges, you would receive an unlisted YouTube link where you might view/share entire tutorials in a personal/family/friends/homeschool co-op group setting.  The complete tutorial would not be public on YouTube.

Friday Night Fiddling With Watercolor
Fiddling With Watercolor on a Friday Night Part II

A number of years ago I taught high school art to homeschooled students. One class that was especially good for ages 13 through 100 (adults!) was a basic drawing skills class base on the book, “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards.  I am interested in funding for me to create a 15-part series that could have marketed access to others and be available to supporters on Patreon.   My last Patreon tier (screenshot below) explains this specific goal and how pledges/access would work.