I cannot believe that you have written a children’s book with the work that you already do. You are amazing! I would be interested in the story that I will learn by matching the charms to the paintings- you are indeed a very clever woman. - Jenny Gehl, Shop Director, Holter Museum, Helena MT

Why do you use a tulip in your signature?

My mother's father and mother were Pennsylvania Dutch.  After arriving in America, PA Germans came to be called the Pennsylvania Dutch.  Are we Dutch?  Certainly NOT!  When English speaking people asked them what language they spoke, they replied in their German language, "Deutsch", meaning German. The tulip is the key.  This flower was introduced to Europe in 1500.  Naturally the love of the tulip transferred to this country.  The most common flower seen on Pennsylvania German Folk Art is the tulip and almost every artist had their own version of it- sometimes the tulip was the only way to decipher the artist as they didn't sign their name. 

More about my signature...

 I was called Emily May by my mother after I threw a baseball into the garage window.  I was called Emilisa Batisa by my father to show endearment and when I was called to the office to take my inhaler, the secretary referred to me as Emily Nell. My brother calls me Em.  My cousin calls me Emmy.  My niece and nephew call me Aunt Emily.  Just don't dare call me Nellie. I prefer eMily- with the tulip.