aglowbug

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

A peek at how aglowbug stories come to life, from the first sketch to the finished page.

In the Studio Notes from the Heart

Sketches & works in progress

In the Studio

Sketchbook pages, character studies, and peeks at artwork on its way to becoming a book.

Alora smiling with Ginger, her fluffy long-haired cat, nuzzling her chin
Alora and her studio assistant, Ginger
Alora's art room: a counter covered with paintings in progress, colored pencils and brushes, with Ginger the cat on the windowsill
The art room, with Ginger supervising from the windowsill
Character sketches taped to white cabinets above a counter full of art supplies
Character sketches taped up for reference
An early pencil sketch of the book cover beside a photo of a real sloth bear
An early cover sketch, beside a real sloth bear for reference
A finished pencil sketch of a page above the same drawing lightly traced onto watercolor paper, with a piece of driftwood beside them
A finished sketch and its first pencil lines on watercolor paper, with a sample piece of driftwood for reference
A pencil storyboard sketch of Nawful asleep on the raft, held above the same page being painted in watercolor
A storyboard sketch coming to life
A page with its first pale washes of watercolor, next to the pencil sketch and a piece of driftwood
First soft washes of color
A painting in progress surrounded by colored pencils, brushes, and printed photos of sloth bears
Adding colored-pencil details, with sloth bear photos close by
A nearly finished watercolor page of Nawful, Tate, Cooper and Blossom in life vests
A page nearly finished
Ginger the cat napping in a patch of sunshine on the art room floor
Ginger, the studio’s official napper
A finished watercolor page of Nawful fast asleep on the raft under a smiling sun
Nawful napping like Ginger
Alora and Ginger the cat posing together for a selfie
Ginger approves of today’s work

Meet the puppet

Nawful in Person

Nawful the sloth bear, red cap and all, is ready for story times and classroom visits.

Close-up of the Nawful puppet, a shaggy black sloth bear in a red cap, while his ears were being reshaped
Ear surgery: reshaping for a true sloth bear look
Alora holding the Nawful puppet as he holds up a picture of himself
Nawful shows off a picture of himself
Alora holding open a book of illustrations with the Nawful puppet perched on top
Just arrived in Montana, Nawful checks out the artwork
The Nawful puppet climbing among bright red autumn leaves
Nawful can’t wait to meet you!
The Nawful puppet perched in a red maple tree
Posing for his introduction

From Alora

Notes from the Heart

Thoughts, stories, and encouragement from Alora.

It’s About Time

October 2026

Heavy equipment rumbles just behind the backyard fence, and the clock won’t stay still on the wall. Some thoughts on time, daylight, and the One who holds each moment.

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When the Lights Went Out

September 2026

Deep in the Lewis and Clark Caverns, the guide asked everyone to turn off their lights. A note about darkness, light, and the One who said, “I am the light of the world.”

Read the full note →