For Lynn Thomas, painting and writing go together.

And since she retired as a registered nurse, she coupled her treasured crafts to write and illustrate “Tails of JJ Squirrel.”

She had pondered about always writing a book.

“I like children’s books,” the Lakewood resident said. “I thought, why not use my paintings to illustrate the book?”

Mr. Fox helps JJ Squirrel escape from a mulberry bush from “Tails of JJ Squirrel.” Submitted photo

So as she was tossing around ideas, two came to mind – nature and squirrels.

“I see squirrels outside all of the time and they remind me of nature,” Thomas added.

Thomas noted that the main premise of the book is to ask for help when needed.

“The book is kind of funny,” Thomas said with a smile. “It’s full of predicaments that JJ Squirrel gets into.”

Each chapter is a new adventure for JJ, Thomas added. The book, she said, is perfect for two- to 10-year-olds who are learning to read, or like to read along with their parents. The author/painter said there are plans for other possible books where JJ Squirrel will go on some other adventures. She used her paintings because they went along with the book’s message.

This painting is the apple cart which is from Chapter Two of “Tails of JJ Squirrel.” Submitted photo

“I love to paint nature, and animals and birds,” she added. “I paint first, and then I think of the stories. They are two separate things, but they come together as one.”

And JJ Squirrel, she added, is not a simple squirrel, and he gets himself into situations that most squirrels would not. The remedy to his situation is that he asks for help from other animals in the forest and the barnyard where he lives. There are life lessons, too, that young readers can learn.

Some of the lessons, she said, include learning how to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to go on an adventure because there may be people to help during the adventure, and don’t be afraid to try new things.

And her writing and painting processes are simple as she writes and paints when she is inspired.

When writing, Thomas related, she will get an idea, and will have to put it to paper or the idea may escape her. When she gets the first idea down, more ideas start to flow, and soon she has a framework of what she wants to say.

A painting of Mrs. Spencer’s old barn and the big oak tree where JJ Squirrel lives in “Tails of JJ Squirrel.” Submitted photo

“Well, I think everybody has things they enjoy, and I enjoy this (writing). We are talented in some way, and we all have our tale,” she added. “A story has a start, a middle, and the ending always has to be a good ending.”

And early in the morning, she said, she’ll grab a cup of coffee and start painting. In the evening, she’ll paint when she has time or she will continue something that she started earlier in the day. She finds working with acrylic paint is better for what she paints.

“Lots of times I put the paint down and it starts a picture for me. It doesn’t always come to my mind until I start painting,” Thomas said. “If I finish a painting, I always go back the next day and look at it. Because I always will change something or add something, until I’m satisfied. It might take me three or four days before I think it is done.”

And the illustrations for the book come from her paintings. She first takes photos of the paintings. Then, using Adobe PhotoShop, she takes one element from one painting, and places it in another, making a whole new piece of art that lends itself to her writing.

Her book is available at lulu.com. When at the site, just search for JJ Squirrel. To find out more about her paintings, email thomaslt53@hotmail.com.