This series was inspired by the SCBWI Narrative Art Award prompt for 2024: Finding Common Ground. When I read the prompt I knew I wanted to draw siblings, and I knew I wanted music to be part of the picture…maybe because my own children usually clash where music is concerned! Having the musical instrument of choice be a drum set, and the solution be Djembe drums at the end was inspired by watching my youngest daughter play my mom’s djembes with her. They are such cool drums, and meant to be played together, unlike a drum set which really has room only for one!

Gouache and Prismacolor pencils on hot press watercolor paper, with digital edits.