Gluten Free Life

Announcing the release of a new song, “Wishes” in a Fiery Blaze, by Jennie Angell. It is airing on May 9th. Find out more at https://astoriamagazine.com/jennie-angell-singer-songwriter/

The latest episode of the illustration process of Abby Finds Her Happy Place is live. See the sequence and pick up where you left off here, https://trinaastorstewart.com/abby-finds-her-happy-place-a-book-illustration-process/

I was just watering the garden.
Nothing unusual—just a quiet morning, checking on the plants, moving from one corner to another.
And then, out of nowhere, a butterfly passed through.
It stayed only a moment—but it stayed with me much longer than that.
It made me realize something about what I’ve been doing these past few years… not just gardening, but paying attention.
I wrote about it here, if you’d like to read it: https://astoriamagazine.com/the-day-the-butterfly-came/

My Gluten-Free Pasta Casserole for Easter. It was eaten before I could take a picture, so these frozen scraps are all that's left of the pasta.

What did the Easter Bunny team
Say to the frogs in the stream?

Are there enough colored eggs
For your tadpoles with legs?

We wouldn't want to miss any little kids
Searching the marshy grids.

So, grinning widely, the 'frogsters'
Replied, "We might need a few more rosters."

"Oh," said a bunny,
"That's very funny."

Then promptly went back to make more
So, all had Easter Eggs, for 'shore'.

Little by little the story Abby Finds Her Happy Place is progressing. Here is video 5 an updated reading.

Abby Story Reading Update | Video 5 Abby Finds Her Happy Place: A Storytime Reading to Page 49. "Welcome to the studio. Today, I’m taking a small break from the digital paints to share a comple...

Mark your calendar: April 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Tonemah and other National Award-Winning Artists and Local Favorites are appearing at the 3rd Annual Historic Lewiston Opera Hall Folk Festival. Rabble, EdRomanoff, Toneman, Greg Baressi, and Jason Mirek.
VENUE: HISTORIC LEWISTON OPERA HALL LISTENING ROOM (Upstairs) 732 Center Street, Lewiston, New York. $10.00 at the door. https://astoriamagazine.com/tonemah-native-american-music-award-winner/

This is the first in a series of posts on the process of illustrating one of my storybooks, called “Abby Finds Her Happy Place,” from painting in Adobe Photoshop to layout in InDesign for publication. Although it is not a specific tutorial, I work in real time, and you may find ideas you can use in book illustration and layout. Or you may find it enjoyable and calming to watch while I hum, talk about the process, or sing along while I work. The story is for the child within us all who has gone through tough times and overcome them through faith, hope, and resilience. We all need to find our Happy Place from time to time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-1VhexnSJY&t=13s

Trying something new. An art demonstration in Photoshop. https://youtu.be/YQFzLbOYPyk

Maggie's Christmas Miracle, a short story
https://astoriamagazine.com/maggies-christmas-miracle-a-short-story/ Merry Christmas to the many people who love this Gluten Free Life. The story is a gift of the season to you!