Notes from Picture Book Heaven

Readers,

Today I want to share with you one of the most delightful experiences I’ve had as an artist in the picture book world: Milkwood 

 

The big dining table, where we gathered for every meal
(Photo courtesy of Milkwood)

Happily snuggled in a golden meadow of wildflowers and dotted with quacking ducklings is Milkwood, a dreamy haven in the Catskills for the children’s book community. Sophie Blackall and Ed Schmidt have created quite the sacred place, where authors and illustrators can let their inner child come out and play.

Looking at our artwork together was one of
my favorite activities!
(Photo courtesy of Milkwood)

The retreat I attended was ​​called “Playing Nice with Text and Image,” a workshop for author-illustrators led by the wonderful and talented artists Lisa Brown and Dasha Tolstikova. My cohort included ten brilliant authors and illustrators from across the country, and we got to adventure into an enchanted weekend filled with writing and drawing exercises, artist presentations, and hundreds of children’s books! 

Preparing to launch our wish lanterns into the night
(Photo courtesy of Milkwood)

In between the workshops, art-making, and scrumptious meals made by Sophie, Ed, and their crew of fairy-like helpers, somehow, pure magic would find us all over again. It started from the very first hour, when I met fellow artist Margaux in the cool, ankle-deep water of the nearby stream. When fellow artist Brian came by to say hello, a local frog also bowed and made an appearance! Throughout the four days at Milkwood, we also befriended a shy rainbow, a moody brotherhood of fogs who’d roll in before breakfast, and quiet evenings that watched over as we scribbled under the stars. 

The moody and lovely writer's desk in my room.

Seeing other artists work on their craft, whip up exquisite sketches, and share their personal stories made my heart swirl with inspiration. And truly, just being there, surrounded by artists and butterflies, holding a little glass of rosé, sitting by the fire, I learned to relax my grip, have fun, and trust the universe even more. 

A timed self-portrait exercise

While the harsh and painful realities of today may at times feel endless, from the climate crisis to the countless wars that rage on across the world, let us remember that we as artists have a very important and special power: the ability to create beauty and possibility in the world. 

In order to do this and keep doing this, I believe more than ever the importance of play, as this encourages us to imagine utopias that are centered on love. These imagined worlds often do not stay trapped in our children's books; in fact, they can inspire real people and create change in the real world. And it is not a tight grip that will lead to collective joy, but an inviting hand, a warm embrace. The community I experienced at the Milkwood retreat was and is just that. 

I will conclude with something that one of my favorite poets, Ocean Vuong, recently shared in a speech he gave at the Apex for Youth Inspiration Awards: 

Nations will rise and fall as they have done in our species. The Romes and the empires will come and go. But the only nation that I truly believe in, the only nation that will be here long before any country that we understand is the imagination. It is the one that I have absolute allegiance to, and it’s the only one, it’s the only nation on this planet that will remain unstoppable. 

(You can listen to his full speech here.)  

 

A moment of unbridled joy,
seeing Sophie's cardamom rosewater cake!
(Photo courtesy of Milkwood)

Ah, readers. This post here marks the final one in my series. A big flower toss to Lee Wind and SCBWI for inviting me to take over their blog for the month, and thank you, dear readers, for listening to my story and coming along for the ride! 

Keep shining, friends, 

Haruka

About the Author

Haruka Aoki (she/they) is a queer Japanese artist and poet-illustrator who is local to Lisbon, Portugal, New York City, and Kamakura, Japan. Their debut picture book Fitting In, which they co-wrote and illustrated with John Olson, was published by Sky Pony Press in 2022. 

Their narrative artwork, often featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand-drawn characters engage the world around them. Growing up often unsure of where “home” would be next, Haruka found and continues to find comfort in nature and community, a constant starting point in their work. 

Haruka received her BA from Brown University and her MS from Pratt Institute. They are a Fine Arts Work Center Scholar and a recipient of the SCBWI BIPOC Scholarship. She often feels deeply grateful to be an earthling. 

Website: harukaaoki.com 

Instagram: @thecosmicharuka