Part Three: On creating, writing, and publishing "Journey of the Dream Team"
making it more than a digitized sketchbook
In the previous part of this series, I covered how I was motivated to create and complete my book “Journey of the Dream Team” in sketchbook form which was published electronically by the Brooklyn Art Library in 2020. It made it easy to achieve my dream of writing a book even in the rough form of pictures taped on pages with handwritten words without the pesky details of editing, designing, publishing, promoting, and financing a book project.
I mailed my sketchbook to the Brooklyn Art Library in May of 2020, it was cataloged in August 2020, and I received confirmation that it was digitized in November 2020. There were delays due to COVID impact, restrictions, and resource availability, so it was a relief when I got the news it was available to share.
The following year, I decided to explore the possibility of officially publishing the book. Once at this phase, I needed to find out how to do this as well as raise funds to make the project possible. I researched and talked to others about self-publishing options who had done so themselves, as I didn’t want to get rejected by multiple publishers and avoid the goal of finding joy in publishing my story in my words.
I applied for “The Artists Respond” grant program by the Department of Economic and Community Development and CT Office of the Arts which provides direct funding to Connecticut artists to pursue community-based projects in Connecticut and be “artist-centered initiatives that use the arts to inspire, empower, educate, and transform our Connecticut communities.” It is a multi-page application that requests information such as social media sites, the scope of the project including social issues and artistic impact on the community, and reference samples of work. I shared that this project would challenge me to:
work in a new and different way of building on the work I’m doing in my community
introduce me to a new audience
and provide me a platform where my artistic voice carries greater weight with non-art professionals
validate my artistic visions
provide an opportunity to explore a social issue of significant interest to me
and share information about CDHR as the primary draft horse rescue in Connecticut
I shared the prototype of the book based on the sketchbook project above, along with an article published in Connecticut Horse Magazine which starts on page 18 of this link: https://issuu.com/massachusettshorse/docs/5-6-17
I also included this volunteer spotlight post in the application sharing my 5-year commitment to the organization at that time (incredible that I now am in my 9th year of volunteering for CDHR!):
"As I approach my fifth year volunteering for CDHR, it was hard to pick just one photo, even though I typically like to be behind the camera instead of in front of it! I am grateful to have these moments captured.
CDHR has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I learn something new every time I am there. Often it is knowledge about horses, but I also learn even more about myself! I have achieved many life goals during my time at CDHR, and have pushed myself to become a better person - the horses and humans of CDHR are true motivators to tackle personal challenges!
I have never met a more committed, hardworking, dedicated, hysterical, excellent, generous, and humble group of people than I have at CDHR. It is a place where ordinary miracles happen, with draft staff excellence, and definitely with the help from our draft horse angels above. I am especially grateful for the manifestation of Dr. Golub's vision, persistence, incredible expertise, and friendship which has truly changed my life, and all of the horses and volunteers at CDHR. I am very proud to be part of the team that has built this legacy of Autumn Ridge Farm for CDHR. I am excited for more great things to come!"
I also included the photo that won best in show in one of our juried art shows featuring Spencer & Oliver:
I was delighted to complete the application in July of 2021 and excitedly waited for the verdict. Two months later, I received the incredible news that I was awarded the grant in September 2021!
Now that I had achieved this part of the goal, the next year focused on creating and self-publishing, which I will feature in part four of this series. I will add that part four proved to be the most challenging in this whole process! I look forward to sharing that part of the story in my next installment.