This week on the show, Elizabeth and Amelia interview Avani Dwivedi, a picture book author-illustrator who has illustrated five picture books and one early reader. In 2023, she published her first book as both author and illustrator, Bollywood Dreams, which earned starred reviews and was named one of School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year. Avani graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2019 and is now based in New Jersey where she continues to create sweet, expressive stories. In this episode, we discuss watercolor magic, creating characters that glow with confidence, and collecting memories that turn into stories.

Follow Avani's work:

• Portfolio: https://www.avanidwivedi.com/

• Instagram: @avanidwivedii

• Avani’s Newsletter: https://avanidwivedi.substack.com/

Keep up with updates about the podcast online:

• Sign up for our newsletter on Substack: ⁠https://pbimccpod.substack.com/⁠

• Instagram ⁠@paintbrushinmycoffeecuppodcast⁠

Thoughts, questions, concerns about the pod? Email us at paintbrushinmycoffeecup@gmail.com.

Follow host Elizabeth Lilly:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.elizabeth-lilly.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Substack: ⁠@elizabethlillystudio⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@elizabethlilly⁠

Follow host Amelia Grace Gossman:

• Portfolio: ⁠https://www.amelia-grace-illustration.com/⁠

• Instagram: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration⁠

• Substack: ⁠@ameliagraceillustration ⁠

• Bluesky: ⁠@illustrationamy⁠

Edited by Elizabeth Lilly. Graphics by Amelia Grace Gossman. Music by Roy Edwin Williams.