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In 1984 I was asked, by the Writing Circle at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond Virginia to illustrate a book they were going to have published. This group was comprised of residents of a retirement community and they wanted to do something to raise money for an "in-house scholarship fund" -- a way to provide support for people who needed to move into an assisted living facility but who did not have the money to do so.
The book they had in mind was to be called "Animal Limericks". There was a man living in the community named Decatur Jones. Mr. Jones was quite elderly but he could still recite most of an alphabet of animal limericks that had been taught him by his governess. He was often called upon to do so at social gatherings. Due to his advanced age, he sometimes filled in forgotten passages by saying: da-de-da-da. One member of the group who was good at writing limericks filled in the gaps -- her name was Marguerite Wingo.
Determined to have their book published, the members of the group wrote to 60 publishers and got 60 rejections. Not to be thwarted, they decided to "publish it themselves". Of course, this meant that my job went from simply doing the illustrations to designing the book! I selected the typeface, composed the layout and designed the cover. And, mind you, I was told that I was expected to donate my work for the benefit of the community! I did not live there--my very senior relatives did--I just came in to visit from time to time. . .
In due time, a printer was selected and the book actually came into being. The old ladies and I went on the road---they were amazing. They convinced bookshops to sponsor book signings in every town and village where any of them had family. We very quickly sold out the first printing and went into a second printing.
Sadly, Mr. Jones did not live to see this success but Mrs. Wingo was a driving force as were the various members of the group.
I have illustrated several other books and done editorial cartoons for newspaper publication but I have never enjoyed a project as much as I did "Animal Limericks".

In 1984 I was asked, by the Writing Circle at Westminster Canterbury in Richmond Virginia to illustrate a book they were going to have published. This group was comprised of residents of a retirement community and they wanted to do something to raise money for an "in-house scholarship fund" -- a way to provide support for people who needed to move into an assisted living facility but who did not... More