New Blog Location

Hello!  Thank you for visiting my blog!  I will no longer be posting here.  You can find my latest blog posts on my website, ToriHiga.com from now on.  I'd love to see you on social media as well @ToriHigaCreates.

Daydream Believer at Homegoods!

I have been cleaning out and organizing my photos from 2018 and stumbled upon these pics of my daughter from a couple of months ago.  I realized that I never posted them so I thought I would share them now.  I am so honored to have my work at Homegoods!  All my daughter needs now is a crown and an eye patch!  :)

Wishing you and yours a blessed 2019!

The Original Daydream Believer

There is no doubt that the song “Daydream Believer” is woven into the soundtrack of our lives. I had the pleasure of calling the late great singer/songwriter/artist John Stewart a dear family friend. He wrote that song along with countless others and was truly a genius.  He was also kind, gentle, and hilarious. I have such fond memories of him. One time, when I was in high school, we simultaneously sketched a portrait of each other at our kitchen table. Years later, he even gave my husband and me the best wedding gift - a song he wrote for us and performed at our wedding reception. We have it handwritten in a frame in our bedroom all these seventeen years later.

His soulmate and wife Buffy Ford Stewart was the inspiration behind his hit song - she is the original daydream believer - and I’m sure the main inspiration in his life in general. If I had to sum up Buffy in just a few words I would say she is loving, big-hearted, and fun. She is a huge talent as well.

I was inspired by both John and Buffy to create this recent piece of art. It’s meant for a child’s space and I sure do hope that it will serve as a reminder to children and grown ups alike to forever be a daydream believer. My print is available at TJMaxx.com and I heard a rumor that it will be available in the kid’s section of Homegoods soon. :)

I love this short behind the scenes interview with John about his writing process of Daydream Believer. I also love his version of the song as well as this fun version by Buffy and the late Davy Jones.

“Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings...”

Happy Spring

Here are two recent works that I just licensed with Boston Warehouse.  The originals were highjacked by my 7 year old daughter.  :)  Happy spring!

Wayfair Prints

I know it's been forever since I've blogged, but I wanted to pop in and share that two of my canvas pieces that I did for Boston Warehouse are available online at Wayfair.com.

I've also been busy doing a fun illustration project that I hope to share more about once the finished product is ready.  I'll keep you posted.  :)

Inspired by Joni

School has been out for the last two weeks, but I wanted to share something that my son did with his second grade class the last week of school.  They learned all about people with disabilities and having care and compassion.  They even had each child go home and earn $3 by doing chores so they could purchase a wheelchair for a child in need as a class through the Joni and Friends ministry - just another reason I love my kid's school.

If you aren't familiar with Joni and Friends you need to visit this website.  Then watch that youtube video of Joni creating art.  I also love a song she sings which you can click on here (her prayer before the song is beautiful too).  My parents gave me a book by Joni and her husband Ken which I highly recommend.  You can order it over there.  I have been a true fan of Joni and Ken ever since I heard them speak at an event over a decade ago.  They are both a true inspiration.

Arrival

I decided to join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (scbwi) illustrator's drawing challenge called "Draw This!" which offers a new topic each month.  This month's prompt is "Arrival" so I had fun thinking and sketching and whipping up my own take on it.