All around us things are springing into life. Daffodils, little green shoots, birds singing their morning song. I have begun to get more ruthless about stripping away anything which steals my attention and stops me devoting my minutes on earth to that which truly deserves observation; joy, family, artistic authenticity. No more time for fruitless crap like comparison, self-sabbotage or mindless time-wasting. I am forcing all of it out of my life little by little in the pursuit of something more deep and joyful and real and beautiful. And my way of doing this is devoting myself to art to record, reflect and examine all the stuff of life. To be devoted to a more joyful life. It is not easy- all of know this- but i will say that I've seen some big changes in the last 6 months of practicing mindfulness. Worth a try ❤
"A long time ago, a star lived, died and exploded, giving its matter to the universe. Some of that matter made a dreamy little girl named Darcy. Some of it made her powerful mind, and in that mind she often thought about the stars and the deep, dark and beautiful universe from which she came". When Darcy was a baby, she thought only of what was immediately around her. Her mother, her toys, hugs and comforts. But one day, she realises that the world is very much bigger than that and that she is just a tiny speck. This is a picture book about a character who is filled with wonder at the sheer size and mystery of the universe, and who wonders what her place might be in it. A book for children who are full of questions and dreams, that reminds us to look up, to care for the world around us and to believe that we can make a difference in it, no matter how little we are. Coming soon to Kickstarter.
p.s. This is literally the first little video vignette I've EVER made for social media but some friends are helping me make a proper kickstarter video next month! Meanwhile, please help me share this <3
#bookstagram #bookblogger #picturebook #kidsbook #childrensbook #wonder #space #stars #moon #universe #dreams #dreambig #littlegirl #illustrator #artist
I truly believe there is a divine seed of beauty in all of us, a small pearl of potential just waiting to be realised. By beginning to write and illustrate this personal series '100 Thank You Letters', I am commiting to noticing and celebrating what inspires me in others, hoping that the words are like a water that spreads gratitude like a growth of wildflowers. An exercise in reckless but sincere positivity, if you will. Out of this, I just know that new inspiration will continue to happen in my art work because, how could it not? There is so much to be encouraged by ❤
#gratitude #portrait #painting #illustrator #illustration #thankful #divine #love #joy #happiness #mama #mamaanddaughters #friends #inspiration #motivation #color #heart #motherofdaughters #artists
*100 Thank You Letters*
5 of 100.
To my little daughters.
Who has inspired my work more than the two of you? Like every mother, I relish your every little development. The curls of your wild hair, the crinkle in one of your ears, the slight colour change in your eyes over time...curled eyelashes, soft cheeks, long fingers. I try to record these things; in photos, in words, in drawings, in kept little objects and mementos, most days running out of time to do any of those things due to the sheer pace of living.
Those special and memorable times lend some technicolour to my imagination. Watching you both sleep and imagining what you might be dreaming, hearing you ask your first deep question. The time you, my older girl, realised that we all die some day and that I would probably leave first, and I just wrapped you up and held you until the fear passed. The time you, my littlest one, whispered your first unprompted 'I love you' planted a gooey little kiss on me when I needed it. The divine moments you both came into the world and pain was mingled with joy and relief and newness.
Not only these tender moments but also the funny ones, the ordinary ones, the difficult ones. All sorts of experiences of being your mother have gifted me with ideas, inspiration, encouragement and imagination. My sketchbooks and journals are simply full of both of you and your little curly heads. And of course, it is you who I rise of bed in the morning and work hard for. There is a big, amazing world out there in need of your gifts (and particularly in need of healing) and I will do everything in my power to use art to equip and inspire you to be resilient and fearlessly loving as you grow.
So thank you, my girls, for bringing me to life every day. Thank you for bouncing on me in the early morning and reminding me what joy is. Thank you for arts and crafts and clay moulding and story making. Thank you for sharing your ideas, your hearts, your playfulness and your fears. Neither of you even know that you have done anything to be thanked for yet, but hopefully one day you'll read this and know that you are my inspiration.
Love, Mummy.
Illustration: 'Flower Bed'
