Monday Inspiration

Today's inspiration is....SPRING!!!! 

Even though it's not officially spring yet, I could feel it in the air today.  It was such a gorgeous day that it made me feel happy, light, kind of like this...

Did you feel it too?  All giddy and bouncy?  Did you get outside and soak it up?  I hope so. 

I was walking in downtown Pleasant Hill when a light breeze kicked in and blew hundreds of blossoms around me.  It was one of those picture perfect moments when everything just felt right.  Hmm, this reminds me of a favorite song and gives me an idea for a painting...

After this blissful moment I went to fetch my dog for a walk.  She is living with my niece and her family because we are living with my brother (who already has two cats).  This brings me to a reality about my life that I haven't exactly broadcast.  We're living with my brother because we don't have jobs and are on welfare.  There. I said it.  I'm trying to be more transparent and bring people into my process as an artist, and my financial situation is a BIG part of my artistic journey right now.

You know, I'm actually not that down about it.  After we lost the house and divested ourselves of half of our earthly belongings, I honestly felt...relief.  Debt and junk can really way you down in a way that you become numb to until it's gone and you feel like you're an inch off the ground, buoyant.  Am I making sense?  

Anyways, blah blah blah, I hope I'm not rambling.  One of the cool things about  "losing it all" (I haven't really) and "hitting rock bottom" (I've really had it harder than this) is there's nowhere to go but up (I'm hoping).  You kind of get to scrap it all and start all over.  It's actually kind of exciting.  I always said I wanted to be a starving artist and well...I DID IT!!  Hurray for me! (note sarcasm please)

I guess it helps that I'm one of those people that believes that everything happens for a reason, whether immediately tangible or not.  And that, I'll be ok and even beyond that, this could do me some good - if I let it.  My dad says, "What doesn't kill you makes you fat."  Ha!  He makes me laugh.  There's another gift...humor.  Very thankful for the ability to laugh in the face of adversity.

So, in light of these facts which I have divulged to you, you can see perhaps a bit more of the importance that I succeed (whatever that means) in this pursuit of mine to take my art thing to the "next level".  There's definitely some angst there. 

So now you know.  And if you haven't already, I hope you go outside, laugh at your troubles, count your blessings, and do a snoopy dance. 

Peace out.

Monday Inspiration

So today's inspiration is.....drum roll please....NADA.  I know I have LOTS of things that get my creative juices flowing, but today, truth be told, juices have been extracted.  My essence!   Nooooooo!



Wait? So I guess that means I'm being inspired by the Dark Crystal and Jim Henson. Huh! And here I was all set to be uninspired.  Go figure. 

Hopefully next week my juices shall be restored and I will do a longer post.

Monday Inspiration

Ok, so it's late Monday, but I still have a few hours.  Lots of sad things have been happening in the world lately, and in my life too really.  Inspiration can be hard to come by, but right now I am really up!  I think it's this crazy Kink's song I am rocking out to..."Picture Book".  Actually, that's an amazing segway to today's inspiration - children's books!!!

My first foray into children's books was our Lippencott readers in Kindergarden.  I was four years old when I read my first words.  MAGIC!!

After that some of my favorites were...

  

How about you? What are your faves?

My first attempt at writing a children's book was, I think, in third grade.  We had first grade buddies and I made my buddy an elaborate halloween book in the shape of a haunted house.  I worked so hard on it, but found it pure joy.  I remember the mother of my buddy being so impressed with it that she personally delivered handmade treats to me and thanked me profusely in front of the whole class.  I couldn't understand why she was making such a big deal out of it, but was thrilled with the rice krispy balls!

This interesting artifact is the inside cover to a journal a friend gave me in 1988 (my junior year of high school).  This was the first time I really thought of being a children's book author/illustrator.  I was 16.

I have an absurdly large collection of children's books.  Some that are mine from childhood, some I bought as an adult before I had kids, and then, of course many that I bought for my girls.

I've even been known to scour thrift store shelves looking for out of print treasures. This was one of my favorite finds (below).  I am mildly obcessed.

I guess I love their directness.  The vivid imagery.  The way they gently point out the absurdity of the adult world.  So much can be said with so few words. I have read some children's books (like Peach and Blue below) that have brought me to tears with their simple beauty.

I'm sure many of you know that tomorrow is Dr. Suess's birthday (ironically, it is also my wedding anniversary!!)  He is the king of modern children's literature and definitely an inspiration.  A total original.

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss and Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby.  I would love to hear about your favorite books as a child, or your family's favorite read-aloud and I hope you've been inspired to...
TAKE THIS INSPIRATION AND MAKE SOMETHING GREAT!!!.... or just read to a kid.