You Don't Need Permission

Every so often, I sit down to brainstorm possible new picture book ideas. Recently I wrote down the phrase "cats in glasses." Not a fully-formed picture book idea by any stretch! And yet, I couldn't seem to get that phrase out of my head.

I found myself thinking, "Oh, it would be so funny to have a picture book full of cats in glasses! Too bad I'm not an illustrator." And I totally meant to then put the idea aside and move on.

Except...I couldn't stop thinking about those cats in glasses! And then I had an epiphany:

THE ONLY ONE STOPPING ME FROM DRAWING CATS IN GLASSES IS ME.

And so, I gave in.

It has been highly silly and also highly satisfying to draw cats in glasses. Who knows if it will turn into anything else? But in the meantime it was a good reminder that I don't need to wait for permission to create.

(By the way, I credit Beth Spencer's Introvert Art Club with my ability to attempt these drawings. She is amazing!)