My Book!

Character Study: Observations from a Very Curious Artist

I wrote and illustrated a book! It officially comes out September 8, 2026, and is now available for pre-order. Those are some crazy words to type.

What’s even crazier is that this all started almost six years ago - pre-Miami, pre-Michigan, pre-kids - while I was living in Los Angeles. I was connected to my book agent (hi Sarah!) through a mutual friend. We met at Platform in Culver City and chatted about my dream of one day creating a book. She also introduced me to the works of Maira Kalman, and my world expanded. I didn’t know there was a category of books like this - illustrated, for the curious adult, or the old-soul child. So over the course of these past six years, I hemmed and hawed, scribbled and scrabbled, cried and laughed, attempting to figure out what my book would be. And eventually, I landed on an idea.

Now, the book we pitched was not the book I’m sharing with you today - but I thought it worth pulling back the curtain a little. We pitched, landed with my publisher, and together arrived at “Character Study: Observations from a Very Curious Artist.” This is, of course, a very truncated version of what transpired over these past six years - one I hope to get into more at a later date.

Sharing one’s accomplishments is never…comfortable…or natural. But here we are, and I am so grateful to have you all along for it - to soon have a little bit of my world in your homes, on your desks, shelves... I would be so grateful if you pre-ordered here and shared with your friends, your families, your friends’ families, your neighbors, your neighbors’ neighbors. Your enemies. Whoever. This book is for anyone who is curious, loves people-watching, illustration, fashion illustration - or me. :)

Thank you, and as always…

Curiously Yours, Carly

And please enjoy my unboxing of the book here.