@ 1964, Norman Rockwell, “The Problem We All Live With”
Thank you for sharing your dream, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For fighting the good fight. For lifting up the eyes, hearts and minds of millions with hope, peace, perseverance and integrity.
And Norman Rockwell, thank you for your brilliance.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a hard time finding my groove this month. And I’m really not sure what the connection is, but I’ve noticed a couple of recurring themes ~ so maybe that’s a start.
First there’s yellow. Not normally a color I’m especially drawn to (I like yellow, don’t get me wrong ~ in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever met a color I didn’t like. Well, that’s not true, but that’s for another time), it’s been popping up and infusing itself into my work as if of its own volition … perhaps forcing cheer, optimism and luminosity into my sub-conscious mind. Or maybe it’s coming from my sub-conscious. Either way, I guess it’s not a bad thing.
So, there’s that. Yellow, welcome to my world.
At the same time, dragons are shrieking. You may (or may not) know that I’ve been working on my Book of Dragons for some time now. There’s just not been enough time in the day to get it done in the timeframe I’d hoped for, and no one has offered an all-expenses-paid art retreat in Tuscany or Fiji, or even North Dakota. As a result, many of them (the dragons) are still in my head instead of freed on paper, and they are restless, let me tell you. It was hard to get this one to calm down from a very fitful slumber long enough to capture the basics.
So the beasts are on the march, and yellow is pervasive. And that is that.
Although somehow it might tie in with having felt overwhelmed with all the various irons in the proverbial fire for so many months, and the so many months before that. And storms, and a holiday, then another, then another. You know how that goes. And then all that non-stopping made my back say “you’ve had enough, but you’re not relenting, so I’ll make you!” So there was that. And then January and the yellow and the dragons started happening. I dunno, maybe it all fits, somehow. And then again, maybe not.
But if one were to portend … maybe there’s a yellow dragon in my future… a happy, luminous beast. Until then, it’s back to work and finding my groove ~ but stay tuned!
Books are a uniquely portable magic.” ~ Stephen King
While you won’t get me to admit to their coming off the page and plopping themselves on the chair beside me, I do often feel attached to the illustrations I’m creating. The ones that really speak through me can even have names. (yes, it’s true ~ please don’t judge me).
This little guy, the one in the grass on the book up there, is one of my favorites. He makes me smile. I smiled all the while “bringing him to life” ~ and that’s what happens. There’s some kind of unspoken dialogue that goes on between the artist, the ethers, the pencil and the page. The same when writing ~ characters can feel very much alive. There’s a thin line between real and imagined, and a spark that alights.
It’s that inexplicable sparkle of energy that usually results in the best work. You’re tuned in. Engaged. It flows. That’s the best. Even better … is if that energy translates for the reader. There’s the real magic.
Books open so many doors and windows ~ I can’t fathom a life without them; without stories and all their pains and glories and hilarities and knowledge and mystery. They teach, they excite, they take us to a thousand lands and lead us to wander and wonder and think and feel. They make us richer.
(And who knows if a happy goblin might not spring up from the pages sometime? Or maybe we’ve forgotten how to see them… : ) )
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art – write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” ~ Neil Gaiman
Ah yes, the start of a new year. A clean slate, a start-over, a re-assess, an uncharted map. It’s a brand new day. It’s a blank canvas ~ your canvas ~ just waiting for some general direction, a lot of spirit and a splash of color.
Happy New Year ~ paint it well!
Progress! … Well, it’s probably the busiest time of year to have started this little (big?) project, but we’re getting more and more pictures of your beautiful selves sharing peace, so I thought I’d share some with you. Every single one a happy shot. Lovely! Many thanks to those who’ve sent their images ~ and those who haven’t, we’re hoping you’ll join in and send yours! (Details below.)
All you need is a camera, a 52 Weeks of Peace product*, and a smile!
Take “waist-up” shots of people holding (or wearing) something “52 Weeks of Peace” (the book, a favorite postcard from the book, a bag, button or mug*…). All ages, shapes and sizes welcome. The only requirement is that it’s a clean, clear shot that shows off one or more people ~ and that it is freely given for public use (no names please) ~ and the picture should be happy.
There’s no prize, no “special offer” ~ this isn’t a big business deal, just one artist/writer looking to round up some friends and friends-of-friends who like the idea. That’s it. Grass-roots, “just because”. If you’d like to be part of this project, you can post a picture to the 52 Weeks of Peace facebook page, or send them to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com.
Peace starts right here, right now, with you, with me ~ let’s inspire, let’s do this!
…………………..
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank
We hold the world in our hands. Let’s celebrate the good. Let’s ease another’s suffering, large or small, harm none, and share our love. That’s what we can do in a moment; in this moment, in our own small corner of the world. ~ ♥ Patricia
A day that started well enough, turned on its heel and cut to our core with heart-wrenching tragedy. We are sick with grief. We mourn, we wonder, we rage at the horrific senselessness of killing innocent young children. Personally, I have been angry much of the day. Disgusted. And overwhelmingly sad.
There really are no appropriate words, no script to ease the pain ~ an unimaginable pain of loss for so many families; the little ones now scarred ~ but still, I write, if only to try to process something incomprehensible. There is no “why” that would be enough, no explanation or story or reason to make any of this hideous event the least bit palatable. But we feel it, we’re torn up by it, and somehow face this shame upon humanity. God help us.
As surely the angels weep tonight, I, too, hang my head in tears and prayer, and send my deepest love to the people of Newtown, Connecticut.
From way up north near Anchorage, Alaska, to the horse country of Virginia, with a stop at the city of Brotherly Love along the way ~ peace travels well (and loves the critters)!
one of our 52 Weeks of Peace buttons
Santa’s got a brand new bag …
Thunder loves Alaska!
Can we go out and play in the Alaskan snow now?
Peace in Berryville, VA
World’s sweetest dog, Berryville, VA
“I say, if you give me my food, I’ll feel peace…”
Peace, art, books and justice in Austin, Texas
Peace elf in Austin, Texas
Peace out!
The perfect antidote for ledger work, near Philadelphia, PA
Sweet! Bulletin-board peace!
Where in the world is peace right now? I hope peace finds all of you this holiday season, and ignites all of our hearts.
(ps: you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images on our “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Please email your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)
As W.T. Ellis said, “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” But some bells help too. : ) Enjoy the season!
It’s December!
Bring on the bells, the fireplaces all aglow, reindeer on rooftops, the hubbub, long lines, flaring tempers, excited children, too many sweets, blinking lights, trees and wreaths, singing and angels… it’s all there, all of it, comes so fast, gone just as quickly ~ so be of good cheer. Find the bright in your heart, and be of good cheer. ♥ ~ Patricia