About The Book

Alphabet Dreams And Other Poet Tree Scenes is an alphabet themed children’s book that pairs Virginia Jahyu’s poetic vignettes with Jeff Blackburn’s textural illustrations. It is an artistic collaboration that engages the reader through clever vocabulary, and richly detailed imagery. Every aspect was poured over by these 2 creatives; including Virginia developing her own hand written font, and Blackburn editing and piecing the lines together word by word (sometimes letter by letter) for a cohesive look and smooth readability.

Though completed around 2016, this project had several stops and starts with physical publishing and was almost left for obscurity on a hard drive. However, funded by an archival art sale of Blackburn’s work, this project was revived and printed, launching in September 2023. Alphabet Dreams And Other Poet Tree Scenes was finally released as a deluxe 56 page, 8x10 inch book and print set, both items being signed and with matching numbers from an edition of 100. This book/print set SOLD OUT in under 48 hours of going public.

A massive thank you to our communities for supporting this passion project, and engaging with our imaginations.

 

About The Author

Virginia Jahyu (MA, ExAT, OEATA, CCPA) is an expressive arts therapist, intersectional hood-feminist, transformative justice facilitator, and Hip-Hop aficionado with a strong interest in arts empowerment, community building, and social justice. She is inspired by liberation healing and is invested in deeper understandings of colonial impacts on mental health and identity. She values the intersectionalities and breadth of human identities, dis/abilities, experience, and creative expressions. For more information please visit artstherapy.ca

 

About The Artist

Jeff Blackburn is a painter and illustrator who’s website you’re currently on. Feel free to explore and see more of what he’s all about.

 

Select Images

This is the print from the deluxe book/print release. 8x10 inches, signed and numbered edition of 100 (paired with the book holding the corresponding number).