I live in Syracuse, so I've gone to Onondaga Lake Park ever since I was little. I go with friends. We like to roller blade, play some Frisbee and just hang out. Sometimes we get to see the geese hanging around. I love watching them and their little goslings.

I love animals, and since I really like doing character design, I thought it would be fun to illustrate a bunch of goslings each doing different things. I tried to give each of them a different personality, but make them seem like a family. Sort of comparing mother and child to geese and goslings. You have the mom smiling and watching as the goslings are wandering around, goofing off. It's that kind of relationship: goslings hanging out at the park just as families of people hang out at the park.

The haiku I chose was appealing because it elicits feelings of a beautiful summer day in Syracuse. Sipping warm coffee with the sun on my face and listening to the birds outside sounded like food for the soul. I love animals, so I knew I wanted to include a variety of bird species, as well as a furry companion for the woman in the window to add to the “cozy home” feeling that I was intending for this piece. I researched birds to represent the different species properly, and the dog is modeled after the Labrador my husband grew up with named Luke. I want the illustration to evoke feelings of calm, warm comfort and happiness.

The sun is such an important part of our health, whether we realize it or not. We should always make time to get a little sun on our faces, even when it seems to be hiding in the winter. Taking a moment to relax with a warm drink, enjoying the quiet, or some nice music, goes a long way towards wellness.