Neighbor Anita Ellis wrote and illustrated a new book, called “The Magical World of Abra.” It was a ton of work, so now she wants to celebrate, with a big book release party and art show on Saturday night.

Neighbor Anita provides the rest of the details:

 My name is Anita and I ‘m having a book release party. I’ve lived in Bernal Heights for 20 years.

The title of the book is called “The Magical World of Abra” and the book release party is Saturday, September 12 at Code and Canvas Gallery (151 Potero Ave.)  from 6-9pm.  There will be a children’s book reading at 6:30, live music, food and cocktails.

The backstory: My friend and co-worker at The Wild Side West in Bernal Heights had a story she wanted me to illustrate. And I should really thank her, or this project would have never happened. Her story was based on a little girl who was a collector/hoarder who took things she found home with her until her room is completely cluttered.

I have taken every painting and illustration class offered at city college and have been doing art since I was a little kid so I figured that it would be fun, and I was up for the challenge. I had done a handful of illustrations for her but she did not really seem to like the images I created, and I was not really following what she had in mind.

Friends encouraged me to work on it on my own when they saw the artwork I had done. So instead of writing about a hoarder, I decided to write about a little girl named Abra who sees the beauty of everyday objects and life. Hence the title, “The Magical World of Abra.”

I’ve probably spent over 10,000 hours on the illustrations, hand-written text, book-binding, art classes and the story created. I met Attaboy who is an amazing artist and one of the founders of Hi-Fructose magazine. One of the things he said that stood out to me was that you are what you do. Don’t do whatever it is you love half-ass; do it times 1000. Get into it, surpass your own and everyone else’s expectations. That is when you will know you are doing it right.

The message of the story is one for adults and children and we need to be kept aware of it daily: Look around you, there is beauty everywhere and so many things are working in our favor. There is always something special and magical there, even if it’s the darkest of clouds above you. Suck it up, inhale it and live it because one day you will not be here to enjoy it.

ILLUSTRATION: Courtesy of Neighbor Anita Ellis