All was going along beautifully

All was going along beautifully. I had decided to do this project for my 13 grandchildren. I was having a fantastic time until - WHACK!

“What you have done is a ‘rough dummy,’” said the printer. “I can’t possibly get your books ‘print ready’ from this. You haven’t drawn them in layers. Get someone to re-draw them. Start again!” 

Baking chocolate cake was never like this!

"STOP!" yelled the Waussies. “We are your heart and soul. We know your artwork is naive and simple. We know it's not perfect. We don't mind. But are you going to let some brilliant, professional graphic artist re-draw us?” The Waussies taught me their lesson. Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Keep going.

But I knew that I'd have to at least learn a computer program which would enable me to print the books. I had a crash course in Photoshop from my amazingly patient, layout graphic designer, Ariel Walden. There you go! Layers – like my chocolate cake.

I wanted to give my grandchildren something that was a part of me. It had to be honest and imperfect. 

I hope that's how my grandchildren will remember my lesson to them. We must strive and keep on striving – to do the best we can. If we fail, go back again. Laugh all the way; ask your friends for support. I did, and I received it. And that, my friends, is the Waussies' philosophy. 

"What if you don't succeed?” someone recently asked me. I feel like  I have succeeded – just because I tried. And that's good enough for me.

Jacqui Taub, July 2009