Author James Baer
Post-Yellowstone, I was led to the mountains of Glacier, Montana, and to the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Finally returning to the familiar mountains of Colorado. Each journey was accompanied by my ever-present camera. These experiences, filled with exploration and self-discovery, will one day be chronicled in a photo book of my travels.
While my path to recovery has been a lengthy one, and is still in practice; I stand here today, resilient and prepared for whatever lies ahead. My ventures and travels have taught me one profound lesson — family is the cornerstone of life’s grand adventure. Regardless of how far one roams, a true home resides with family.
Today, Orange County, California, is my unconventional home. A stark contrast to the rural and nomadic life I once embraced, it holds significance because it houses my family — my older brother, his wife, and their four children. The ultimate adventure, as I’ve come to realize, is found within the embrace of family. I eagerly anticipate a reunion in California with my mother, two younger brothers, and sister in the near future.
I continue to write nearly everyday and have many pieces I would like to share, but all in due time. My next release will be the sequel to this book. For now, join me in celebrating life’s beautiful journey through the pages of this story, where every moment is an adventure waiting to be discovered.
Illustrator TJ Norris
TJ Norris is an illustrator and designer working out of his home studio based in Northern Virginia. Most of his time is spent doing commercial illustration projects, creating artwork for businesses that ends up on apparel, album covers, packaging, and everything in between. TJ creates all of his illustrations digitally using a tablet and a laptop, but his work is heavily inspired by traditional analog printmaking techniques such as block printing and screen printing. He aims to use his modern tools to mimic these age-old processes, giving his work a unique character and hand-crafted feel.
TJ has loved drawing since he was a kid and was often found recreating his favorite cartoons and characters with a set of pencils and markers. As he entered middle and high school, drawing took a back seat to sports and school work, but his love for illustration was reignited during a college elective drawing course. He began drawing regularly again, creating artwork for himself and as gifts for friends and family. This personal work eventually led to his first paid commissioned project, and once TJ realized that it was possible to get paid to draw things, his dream of working full-time as an illustrator was born. After a handful of years building up his skills and portfolio outside of school and other full-time jobs, TJ started his business Norris Design Company in 2019 and began doing freelance illustration work full-time – a literal dream come true.
With every new year that passes, TJ is increasingly overwhelmed and thankful for all of his clients that make his dream of drawing for a living a reality. He has had the opportunity to work with some amazing people on projects big and small, helping to bring their ideas to life in the illustrated worlds he creates. You can check out more of TJ’s work on his website at norrisdesigncompany