This week I wanted to introduce you to my illustration department family! I started working full time teaching at Maryland Institute College of Art in the Fall 2018. One of the reason why I decided to do the crazy commute from NY to Baltimore is those people! They are incredible people and talented illustrators who I get great inspirations from. It’s very unfortunate that covid-19 happened that we had move to the online teaching and I don’t get to see them everyweek. Also I love the students at MICA! We have a group of super talented Senior 2020 this year. They are graduating in one week. I will start putting some of my students work here on this blog.
Ok! Let’s start the interview!
Me:
What is your essential item/food on your quarantine shopping list?
Joyce:
1. Kalamata Olives
I normally don’t buy a big jar because I know I will eat them too quickly. But when I was doing my quarantine shopping, they jumped in my shopping cart. We added them to pasta dishes and salads. I suspect some were smuggled out of the kitchen as snacks. Unfortunately, my family thought they were wonderful too. Now they are gone, and I miss them terribly.
2. Kiwi plants
We’ve been having a problem with hawks attacking our chickens so I wanted to plant some trellises with vines as a way to provide more places for the chickens to hide when they are free-ranging. I’ve never tried growing kiwi before. I bought two plants. I’m pretty excited that the chickens will get some shady hiding places, and I will get fresh kiwis!
Me:
This story about the chickens and kiwi plant sounds like a new children's book ready to be written! Are you going to write about your chickens one day???
Joyce:
You would think so, right? I haven’t worked chickens into any stories yet. Right now I’m working on a book about a girl who turns into a tree. It’s been a lot of fun to work on, because I love drawing trees. Chickens are fun to draw too, so maybe someday I’ll work on a story for them. They have a lot of personality and are a lot of fun to watch. We’re getting more chickens next week and I can’t wait. They will arrive by express mail (hopefully). It’s always fun when they show up and the box is peeping!
Me:
Oh I can’t wait to see your new book! It sounds beautiful already.
The story about the chicken, how they arrive to your house is still surreal to me!
Before you sent me the photo, I have never seen the Kiwi plant before. I looked it up for the first time and learned how they grow and what their flowers look like.
I got so nerdy and looking went on a rabbit hole of researching about Kiwi. When I think about kiwi, my head immediately goes to New Zealand but I didn't know Italy now grows more kiwi now!!!
Fascinating: )
It would be great to taste Baltimore Kiwi!!!
Do you know how long it will take for you to harvest the fruit?
Joyce:
I think it’s going to be about two years. I’ll have to be patient! I guess it wasn’t the most practical choice of things to plant, but I’ve had it on my mind for years.
Me:
That’s nice you get to have a fruit in two years, it will be really satisfying to taste them finally!
Thank you so much Joyce!
I wanted to share Joyce's new book "Pitter Pattern" This video is perfect for right now for the kids at home to watch, because not only the book reading but there is a Tie dye workshop in the end which kids can do easily at home! And I am attaching a few other craft videos from Pitter Pattern. Pasta print and felt quilt!
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Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!