Melissa Vandiver Art
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mvandiverart.bsky.social
Melissa Vandiver Art
@mvandiverart.bsky.social
650 followers 1.5K following 180 posts
Melissa Vandiver: human painter, illustrator, dog mom & glitter enthusiast in New Orleans. Whimsical pet portraits, kid books, & more. Commissions welcome! Seeking representation.

https://linktr.ee/mvandiverart

Personal acct: @melissavandiver.bsky.social
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This is my own dog, the late great Kirby, as Liberace. I call it Wienerace. "Why Liberace?" you ask. Because he dressed fun, that's all.

I really miss her.

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com
A dachshund wearing a pink cape and collar with pearls sewn into it, over a heart-shaped bolo and frilly white shirt and dark pink vest. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky
December 6, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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This is Alan. I think he looks like an Alan.

#ArtAdventCalendar. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com.
A painting of a brown poodle with fluffed out hair, wearing a purple, green, and yellow polka-dot bowtie, on a blue background. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky
December 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
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Oh hey it's Princess Luna.

#ArtAdventCalendar To see more of my work visit www.mvandiver-art.com
A painting of a pitbull dressed as Princess Leia from Star Wars, with plants behind her. The background is the night sky with the Death Star in the distance. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky
December 3, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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Continuing from yesterday's #ArtAdventCalendar post (bsky.app/profile/mvan...), I'll post Lulu's sister, Cricket, all decked out for Mardi Gras. To see more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com
A painting of a furry grey dog on a green background, wearing a crown of flowers and several strands of Mardi Gras beads. A butterfly is perched on her shoulder. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #artist #illustrator #blueskyartmarket #artadventcalendar #petportrait #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogsky
December 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
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I'm kicking off my #ArtAdventCalendar this year with one of my favorite pet portraits I did over the past year. Here is Lulu, as a mermaid. To view more of my work, visit www.mvandiver-art.com
A painted portrait of a furry white and brown dog with a crown of seashells and coral and kelp, with jewels and pearls, on a light sea-blue background. By New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver.. #artadventcalendar #art #illustration #illustrators #illustratorsky #artists #artsky #dogsky #dogsofbluesky #petportraits
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 AM
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Just out as of a few weeks ago, my latest illustration project -Real River Rats, written by Anna Johnson. It's a chapter book for early readers, about the rats who live on the batture in New Orleans. bookshop.org/p/books/real...
The cover of the book Real River Rats. Yellow text reading "Real River Rats" is in front of a painting of seven rats in different shades of brown and grey dancing. They are on a grey gravel path at the top of a levee covered in green grass and plants. In the very front is a river with rocks and long grass sticking out of the water. In the background is a blue and purple night sky with stars and a moon. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of six rats of different sizes climbing on an iron fence. One is standing on it, pointing behind him at New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral off in the distance, surrounded by trees and other buildings. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of two rats eating a beignet on a cobblestone sidewalks. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky A black and white illustration of a rat on a roof, looking back at a row of houses on stilts, overhanging a river. The river and the houses disappear into the distance. Hand-painted text that says Real River Rats is in the sky. From Real River Rats, written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. Published by Arcadia Publishing. #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitillustrators #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #booksky #litsky #kidlitsky #art #neworleans #nolatwitter #nolasky
December 1, 2025 at 2:36 AM
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Someone discovered her reflection today
November 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
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The 3rd book in the Bruno & Frida series is when they go to Paris! They get into their usual trouble there, running away and playing tourist. Who could be mad about painting Paris scenery? www.brunoandfrida.com
Cover of Bruno & Frida Go to Paris/Vont a Paris. Written by Gary Mallon, illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration has a pink background that fades to blue. In the center are two smiling bulldogs with another smaller bulldog behind them. Behind them is an Eiffel Tower, the Venus de Milo sculpture, the Arc de Triomphe, tulips, French Flags, baguettes, and confetti. They are all over a banner that says The Adventures of Bruno & Frida. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky The title page of Bruno & Frida Go To Paris Vont a Paris, written by Gary Mallon, Illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration is silhouetted figures with dogs on leashes on a bridge with ornate street lights on a railing. They are looking behind at fall foliage, silhouettes of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower and more miscellaneous buildings, and a blue sky. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a room with a shiny wood floor, light blue paneled walls, a wrought iron table and chairs, and an ornate antique couch that is gold plated with purple velvet upholstery. One dog is on the couch, leaning on the arm and looking at two humans on the right. The other dog is on the floor on its hind legs looking at the humans. The humans are putting on their coats, a scarf and a hat. Text on the page says "I love Paris - it's one of my favorite cities," proclaims Patrick, one of Bruno & Frida's Dads. "That's because Paris is called the City of Light and Love," says José, their other Dad, with a happy grin. "And you love to eat croissants!" "That's true," says Patrick. "So do l!" yips Frida excitedly.Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of an overhead view looking down of a cobblestone alley and the corners of shingled roofs. A man in a hat is walking with a shopping bag. People sit at tables drinking coffee. There is an orange awning sticking out from one of the buildings. Three dogs are walking toward a man in a chef hat taking out the trash, with plants and a metal fire exit stair beside him. Text on the page says. Just then, Louis came down the stairs and saw Frida and Bruno. He cried out happily, "Bruno mon ami (Bruno, my friend), we were so worried about you! I am so happy you have been found." "We should go home before Patrick and José discover we're missing," Frida said. Louis offered to show them a shortcut down an alley back to their apartment. This time, Bruno walked in between Louis and Frida, and Frida translated everything so that Bruno could be part of the conversation. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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Bruno & Frida Go To New York City came next! It was a challenge to depict the massive scale of everything in NYC juxtaposed with these two tiny mischievous dogs. www.brunoandfrida.com
The cover of a book with text Bruno & Frida Go To New York City, written by Gary Mallon, illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration shows a skyline of New York City with a sunset behind it and water beneath. In the center, two dogs are smiling over a banner that says The Adventures of Bruno & Frida. Behind them are sculptures from the public library, the Atlas sculpture, the Statue of Liberty, the Chrysler building, the Empire State building, and other miscellaneous buildings. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs in the back of a yellow cab looking out the window, with the reflections of buildings on the window. Text on the page says For Rosemarie Cristello, my teacher, my mentor, my friend. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs walking down a path at the zoo. To the right is a bench in front of a cage full of smiling monkeys. On the left are two elephants. In the background are more people walking on the path, palm trees, and buildings. Text on the page says They follow a path through the Central Park Zoo and hear the monkeys laugh and the elephants roar. "I feel kinda sorry for the animals who live there," says Bruno. "Me, too," admits Frida. So she dashes away. "Hey! Wait up!" says Bruno. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of two dogs looking at a bunch of people hanging out in a park, with buildings in the distance. On a path there are a skateboarder, runner, rollerskater, cyclist, and a person walking with a kid on their shoulders. On the grass there is a family of two mothers and two kids and a dog enjoying a picnic, blowing bubbles, and reading a book, a couple people playing frisbee, someone flying a kite. Two people listening to someone play guitar under a tree. Text on the page says They eagerly lead the way to the park, and when they arrive in Central Park it's full of people. They are both mesmerized by people riding bicycles, people running, people rollerblading, riding skateboards, having picnics, tossing frisbees, and flying kites. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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Adding to my portfolio thread for #kidlitchat! The first book in Gary Mallon's Bruno & Frida series was Bruno & Frida Go To Mardi Gras, taking place in my own community. People who aren't familiar with NO's Mardi Gras don't realize much of it is a family-friendly affair. www.brunoandfrida.com
Illustration of a book cover that says Bruno & Frida Go To Mardi Gras: The Adventures of Bruno & Frida, written by Gary Mallon & illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. The illsutration features two bulldogs in the front above a banner, smiling and looking up. Behind them are people playing musical instruments, dressed and dancing in Mardi Gras costumes, and confetti everywhere. The background is a pale green that fades into a pale purple. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a street full of colorful New Orleans houses and filled with families in Mardi Gras costumes. The street is covered in confetti and Mardi Gras beads. two bulldogs, one running ahead and one straggling, chase a brass band down the street.Frida marched out the door and boldly strolled down Ursulines Street in the direction of the parades and Bruno obediently followed. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of a brass band and parade marching in front of a purple and green house, with dog peering out an upstairs window. There is a crowd watching the parade and confetti in the air. Text on the page says: Blat! Toot! went the trumpet outside the window. "Tappety-tap-tap" went the drums. Frida ran to the window and put her front paws on the sill. "Bruno! Come and see! The Mardi Gras Parade is starting!" An illustration showing three children in festive Mardi Gras outfits feeding a happy dog a beignet from a green and white striped bag, in front of a colored house. On the left, another bulldog and two more kids look on smiling. On of those kids is pointing. All kids and dogs are wearing Mardi Gras beads, and the sidewalk is covered in them. Text on the page says: "This is all my fault. If I find him, I promise I will never let him out of my sight again!" cried Frida. Then, up ahead in front of a school, Frida saw Bruno. He was surrounded by lots of children, all loving him and petting him - he looked so happy, and he was even being hand-fed beignets by the children! And boy did that make Frida jealous! "Bruno." she yelled above the noise of the crowd and the loud music. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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Louise, who doesn't like posing for pics, gets unsupervised porch time because she is quiet and doesn't want to run away (they're fenced in but ya know)

So we're trying to train the new pup for it and she's doing well! She's clingy so doesn't really like being out there without me though
A tiny beige dog next to a large potted plant on a concrete floor on a porch
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
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Watching the neighborhood stray cats take their morning strolls.
View from behind a small black puppy sitting on a porch looking out. In the background area a fence, a street, and a blue house and a yellow house
November 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
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New Orleans! If you're headed to Po-Boy Fest today, stop by Blue Cypress Books to get a signed copy of Real River Rats - written by Anna Romano Johnson and illustrated by me, yours truly! It's a chapter book for very early readers. I won't be there but you can say hi to Anna!
Flyer with Blue Cypress Books at the top, a photo of a woman and the cover of a book called Real River Rats. Text says 11:30AM - 1PM Anna Romano Johnson PO-BOY FEST SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16. #booksky #kidlit #kidlitart #neworleans Art by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 PM
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Having a lot of trouble being motivated to potty in the morning because we like sunbathing so much!!
A black and tan puppy sitting in the sun on concrete in front of concrete stairs
November 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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Sound up for puppy snores
November 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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We have a new family member and we have finally named her!

Introducing Large Marge! (I'm gonna call her Margie). She is some sort of dachshund+Chihuahua+??? mix. Very long wienerdog body though!

I can only catch a photo of her when she's doing lazy stuff but she's got big puppy energy 🤣
A black puppy leaning on a pillow and looking at the camera. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky A black and tan puppy, sprawled out sleeping on an orange and blue blanket on a blue couch. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky A black and tan puppy looking at the camera on a blue and orange blanket. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky A black and tan puppy sitting on a man's lap. He's wearing jeans and sitting in a yellow chair. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky
November 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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Pivot to video they said
November 6, 2025 at 1:09 AM
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My very special angel just laying in her wet food while she eats 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
A small dog lying on a placemat eating
November 6, 2025 at 12:51 AM
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The Unknown Soldier's Journey Home, an educational nonfiction book about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is a favorite of grandpas and gift shop shoppers. Nancy Rust & Carol Stubbs are retired teachers and love writing nonfiction for kids about complex topics. www.mvandiver-art.com/the-unknown-...
The cover of a book with text From the Battlefields of France to Arlington National Cemetery, The Unknown Soldier's Journey Home. Written by Nancy Rust and Carol Stubbs, Illustrated by Melissa Vandiver. Illustration shows a military procession approaching the US Capitol building. Procession includes marine on foot and horseback accompanying a casket draped in the American flag with a bouquet of white flowers on top. The spectating crowd includes people looking somber and wearing dark colors, with a man and a woman wearing black and looking sad in front. The illustration shows a bee hanging out by some pink roses and a wooden sign that says "Peggy Martin's Garden." Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat Illustration of an overhead view in the Capitol Hill Rotunda of a crowd of people waiting in a line holding flowers and wearing dark colors. In the center is a casket draped in an American flag with flower laid all over it. A couple holds each other while placing a flower on the casket. The illustration shows a bee hanging out by some pink roses and a wooden sign that says "Peggy Martin's Garden." Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat An illustration of a red and white ship with an American flag tossing around in the ocean while a storm rages. Lightening and dark clouds and waves are everywhere. The illustration shows a bee hanging out by some pink roses and a wooden sign that says "Peggy Martin's Garden." Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat Illustration of a crowded scene of soldiers arriving home on trains and being greeted by their children, wives, and mothers. Soldiers in the background are leaning out train windows and getting onto the platform and smiling in waving. In the foreground, soldiers hug and kiss their loved ones. Featured in the front are an old woman and a little boy pointing at the crowd of soldiers, a young mother and child smiling as a soldier approaches them smiling, and a couple hugging. The illustration shows a bee hanging out by some pink roses and a wooden sign that says "Peggy Martin's Garden." Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat
November 5, 2025 at 1:50 AM
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Back with more picture books from my portfolio! The Rose Without A Name, by Nancy Rust and Carol Stubbs, is a true story written from the perspective of the sole surviving plant in Peggy Martin's Katrina-ravaged garden - now a global symbol of resilience. www.mvandiver-art.com/the-rose-wit...
The cover of The Rose Without A Name, The Story of the Katrina Rose. By Nancy Rust & Carol Stubbs, illustrations by Melissa Vandiver. The illustration shows a bee hanging out by some pink roses and a wooden sign that says "Peggy Martin's Garden." Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat An illustration of a garden with an iron fence, a little yellow shed, a sign that says Peggy Martin's Garden, and hundreds of different colored roses - including one rose bush growing up with long vines over the shed. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat Illustration of a smiling frog hanging out on some vines growing up an iron fence. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat Illustration of a storm battering colorful coastal houses and trees with waves and wind. Shingles, leaves, and pieces of wood are blowing all around. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky #kidlitchat
November 5, 2025 at 1:50 AM
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And he's done! The client wanted an impasto technique (where the paint is real thick and textured, think palette knife painting) and acrylics don't really do that. Rather than buying a whole set of heavy-bodied acrylics for just this painting, I used molding paste (sometimes called modeling paste)
Photo of a painting of a dog on an easel. The dog is fluffy and white with a tag that says "buddy," and the background is reddish brown. Pet portrait by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky Up close photo of a painting of a dog on an easel, showing thick, textured paint. The dog is fluffy and white with a tag that says "buddy," and the background is reddish brown. Pet portrait by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky Photo of hand holding container of Golden brand extra heavy molding paste, in front of a painting of a dog on an easel. The dog is fluffy and white with a tag that says "buddy," and the background is reddish brown. Pet portrait by New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #dogs #dogsky #dogsofbluesky
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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They say dogs aren't actually smiling when they look like they are to us humans but I don't believe them
New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver, wearing a blue shirt and painting apron, and blue glasses. She is holding a colorful watercolor portrait of a yellow lab. In the background is a green wall, paint bottles and paint brushes. #watercolor #art #blueskynightmarket #artyear #dogs #dogsofbluesky #dogssky #labsofbluesky
November 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
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#wip #workinprogress

"Buddy"
Photo of a painting of a white dog on a reddish brown background, on an easel on a desk. By New Orleans artist and illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #petportrait #art #dogsky #dogsofbluesky
November 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
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I'd like to announce my husband and I are with puppy
Screenshot of a text containing an image of a puppy relaxing in someone's arms, and text that says Today 8:57 AM Good morning! I have approved your application and if you would like to move forward with adoption, we would love that. She is getting fixed in Tuesday and would be ready for pick up next weekend. Heart emoji
November 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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One of my earlier books was a book just for the Louisiana toddler: Things That Geaux (written by Scott & Tallulah Campbell). Teaching kids how to misspell things Cajun-ly www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/thi...
An illustration featuring a swamp scene, a St. Charles Streetcar, and a Mardi Gras Parade. In the middle are the words Things That Geaux in the shape of the state of Louisiana. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky Illustration of the title page, featuring the words Things That Geaux above a seen from the Courir de Mardi Gras, a Cajun Mardi Gras tradition where you dress up in costumes and chase a chicken. In the background are lots of trees. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky An illustration featuring a swamp and grassy area, with several animals looking at the viewer, including an alligator turtle, a lizard, a few birds, a nutria, an otter, a possum, a Catahoula hound dog, a crawfish, a bee, a bear, dragonflies, and a Rougaroux. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky An illustration of a smiling alligator crawling into the water of a swamp, with cypress trees in the background, while the alligator looks at us. Illustration by New Orleans artist & illustrator Melissa Vandiver. #art #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #kidliillustration #dogs #blueskynightmarket #litsky #skylit #booksky
October 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM