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The book, Bubbles and Billy Sandwalker, is now available at Roberto’s Humboldt T’s, in Garberville. This book is for anyone who has an open mind, likes adventure, and wants to take an amazing journey from below the ocean to above the earth.

There are 41 illustrations in this first edition of the book. The illustrator, Layne Murrish of Redway, has been painting for over 30 years in various styles and on a variety of surfaces such as signs for Reggae booths, murals (both inside and out), and canvas banners.

Layne Murrish is also known for being part owner of Magnetic Memories, with her husband, Don Murrish. Magnetic Memories produces magnets, prints, note cards, and bookmarks with the illustrations from the book. Some of the original paintings are also available with the option of a custom redwood-limb frame by Don, made with limbs found on the ground in their backyard.

Murrish commented that of all the painting she has done, this latest project was by far the most exciting and rewarding.

She said, “The whimsical nature of this book, and the unique story line and ocean setting made painting the illustrations a literal breeze.”

Murrish and the author, Cyndie Lepori-Mogavero, met at an “Open Minds” conference, in Sedona, Arizona in February 2011. Lepori-Mogavero is a sought-after intuitive who has an amazing background in various fields, including Level 13 Ascension Reiki Master teacher, PADI scuba instructor, sailor, certified Lifesprings graduate, dolphin energy practitioner/healer level II, and the list goes on.

“Of all of her accomplishments the one that holds a place in my heart is her ongoing work with the dolphins,” said Murrish. “Cyndie was instrumental in saving many dolphins during the Gulf oil spill, and today continues to work with and for the dolphins.”

She performs her “Bubbles of Joy” play shops in Florida close to her residence in Mississippi and travels many distances to various “Open Minded” conferences and festivals as a speaker on her many gifts.

Lepori-Mogavero plans on doing an “easy read” version of the book for first time readers with larger pictures and a simplified version of the story. She is also going to have the book translated into several different languages. She currently has it being translated into Spanish, and is actively seeking individuals fluent in other languages such as French, German, Italian, etc.

For more information about the author, check out her website: dolphinhugs4u2.com.

For more information about the illustrator, Layne Murrish can be contacted through her e-mail peacefullpainter@hotmail.com or send her a friend request on Facebook - Layne Keeton Murrish. A website will be up soon.

Dolphin lovers, mermaid believers, UFO enthusiasts, and environmentalists will love to explore the creative flow, and the messages of this book.

Murrish created the last illustration of the story to summarize the overall feeling she had while reading the draft of Lepori-Mogavero’s amazing book and both believe it is a very important message.

There are T-shirts of all sizes, from newborn “onesies” to adult T’s, available at Roberto’s Humboldt T’s that sport the message that positive energy can heal the universe.

photo captions:

1. Layne Murrish holds some of her illustrations, one framed with local redwood limbs.

2. Various examples of work by Murrish are on sale at Roberto’s Humboldt T’s.