I escaped today. Courtesy of three little pigs, a pencil and, I suppose, either my inner child or a light-hearted muse. It’s part of a project I’m working on, but, as sometimes happens, it took a turn of its own accord, and I was amused. It’s good to be able to entertain oneself, after all. :  ) To escape life’s more serious avenues and put your own smile on it.

So the turn made me smile, and also reminded me how the making of art is both an immersion and escape. It’s like plunging into the world, while fleeing from it at the same time. Engaged with the world, but not part of it. Maybe it’s the same for the art viewer ~ depending on the piece, a feeling of being somehow here but not here. The connection happens with the senses. Of course thought is involved at different points along the way, but if you start to think about it too much, some of the magic thins.

That said, there wasn’t too much thought involved in this one. The idea had lodged in my mind well before I picked up a pencil, and my job was to simply enjoy the drawing-it-up part, and within that process be transported, for a little while, to that familiar place that is here but not here.

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Stage One of another illustration for the next book ….  with other postings, you’ll see it come to life. Maybe even breathe fire.

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Hmmm. Well…  Sometimes life and the universe conspire in taking over the best of intentions; in this case, last year’s intention to finish my next children’s book.

It’s far from forgotten though, and really is in the works. I’m just getting warmed up, but who knows, maybe this year will be the year of the dragon!

© Patricia Saxton

And it all makes sense really. You see, according to the Chinese calendar, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. But 2012 is the Year of the Dragon … so if I’m able to stay on task, my book will be timed just right. (I knew there was a reason for the delay…!) Don’t you love it? Dragons and “2012”. Kismet!

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The path to peace is not often straight. Sometimes you have to climb around, zig and zag, twist and turn; maybe even go upside down for a while. But however you arrive, the door is welcoming… and patiently waiting to be opened.

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