Gratitudes -

So as to not double-post, I am merely going to refer you to my Thanksgiving entry over on Silver Apples.

I do want to add to that list how grateful I am to the amazing women of POBL - whose collective vision, experience, encouragement and moral support (as well as physical paintbrushes!) have made such a difference in my professional - and by extension - personal life.

Thank you!

What I am Grateful For

I hesitate to write this because it is soooo cliched and you all have probably heard me say it too many times but I cannot ignore this theme at this time of year and so am compelled to post that I am grateful for many little things but really only one big thing and that is to be alive.
In the midst of the whirlwind that is most of our lives, it is so easy to get caught up in minor annoyances and start to complain when in fact we should remember what a great gift and privilege it is just to be here and share love with our family and friends. I am thankful even for the bad days (like the disaster that was last Friday!) because they just make the good days even sweeter.
I have so many dreams and projects piled up in my head and I seem to complete them so slowly, that I need and want every single day that I have here on our beautiful earth to have a crack at, with luck, at least a majority of them. Plus, I really like hanging out with my POBL friends and learning about the mysteries of art and life from you all.

On Authenticity -

(Picture by Trina Schart Hyman. Maybe this explains why I like her work so much?)

I know this is not on our current topic, but this is something I think about frequently. One of Robert Genn's latest newsletters talked about the following:

In a public gallery the other day I came upon a tailored young woman and her equally tailored mother. They were admiring a painting by an artist I happen to know. As I lingered to see what they were seeing, the daughter turned to me and said, "It's the only good one in here." While I was mulling her dangerous pronouncement, the word "authentic" slipped from her lip gloss. She invited my agreement with her considerable eyes, and I gave back.

She had been struck by that indescribable something that says "quality." Beyond quality--more like "presence." The real goods as opposed to the ersatz. It happens. Suddenly you see and you trust. If you have an open mind, any type of art can do the trick--realistic, abstract, a lofty installation or a practical craft. And as creative people, wherever we're coming from, we intuitively know authenticity is something worth having.

I've always thought that authenticity wasn't an add-on but the best effort of an authentic person. This person may have acute powers of observation or an eye beyond the ordinary. You can sometimes tell the authentic by seeing something else nearby that isn't. In a way it's sad that people will actually pay for this vacuum. Intuitively or unconsciously, finer eyes see virtue beside subject and rendering. As I said, it's indescribable. "Casual, confident, understated, refined," may be words these eyes use. Some simply feel an underlying ego force or the power of intended design.

PS: "He is only an eye, but my God what an eye." (Paul Cezanne was speaking about Claude Monet)

He goes on to talk about how authenticity is still subjective - but it is something that I, personally, am striving for - in my work, and in my life.

Thoughts?

Animation -

This is in honor of our new critique-meeting-kitten-mascot (and for all of you who have cats who wake them up in the morning! Just double click the arrow.)

An Evening Out

Dinner and a lecture on horse
anatomy--what an active group!




We had a delightful time at Vios,
sharing delicious food and good
conversation. Suzy and Sarah, you
were sorely missed, and Marty was
a welcome guest. It's so lovely how
we have all become friends as well as
colleagues.







The lecture was interesting and although accurate on horse anatomy, not always so on horse behavior (apparently horses don't mind in the least when a 200 pound person climbs onto their back-- so much for the past four years of trying to attain a deep and balanced seat). I was much reassured about the 3-dimensional aspects (i.e. two pounds of plasticene required) of my upcoming class and impressed by my teacher's obvious knowledge -- he was not the speaker--in conversation with him afterwards. Fortunately I didn't embarrass myself before I figured out that I was sitting next to him!

[Later - you can see the blog entry on the Gage chapter of the evening over at Silver Apples.]

Inside Story Exclusive!

Last night at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park saw the gathering of 19 local children's book illustrators and authors, a Seattle SCBWI tradition called "The Inside Story".
POBL's own Tara Larsen Chang and Kathleen Kemly were among the artists who appeared on stage to give a glimpse into their personal experiences, or "inside story" that inspired the work in their newly released books.
Kathleen appeared with author Rae McDonald, who shared the real life story of riding her bike next to a river full of apples that was the inspiration for their book, "A Fishing Surprise".
Tara presented the lovely original artwork for her Mermaid cover and shared her life long love of the magical and natural worlds that made illustrating "The Fairy Chronicles" an ideal assignment.
We were also treated to presentations ranging from Amanda Lumry, who travels the world photographing polar bears and penguins, to Julie Paschkis, who paintings were inspired by the colorful folk art and textiles of many countries.
All in all it was a truely inspirational evening. Congratulations to Kathleen and Tara, and thanks for sharing your lovely work.

The Inside Story

(Click picture for larger, legible image)

The presentation time is quickly approaching for my "three minutes of fame". See those of you who can come Thursday night!

All For Kids day

If any of you ever have a chance to visit All for Kids Bookstore in Seattle, ask to visit the back room. The walls are covered with signatures of every children's book author and illustrator that has been to visit...including many of my heroes: Jim LaMarche, Kevin Henkes, Patricia Polacco and David Small. Rae and I were invited to join their company and here we are signing our little corner at our A Fishing Surprise kick off party.