Words To Live By

I begin each new journal not with a drawing but with a quotation. They are inspiration; they are the prime that gets my creative water pump flowing. Throughout my life there have been people whose words have inspired me, comforted me during the rough times, nurtured me during the growing times, and kept me on track when all was going well.

The quotes may be about the wonders of nature, or the greatness of the spirit. Sometimes they've helped me to be a better artist. And sometimes they've helped me to be a better human being. Usually, the quotes are just the words. But this week, while working on a couple of calligraphy pieces, I got the urge to put a face to the words. Things kind of snowballed. And, before I knew it, I'd set aside my originally planned subject for this week's article in favor of something rather spontaneous.

I hope you enjoy the results.

This quote by Robert Frost was the first that I took personally -- the first that I chose, of my own accord, to remember. And it has stayed with me through the years.

Miyazaki-san is a Living Treasure... and  a pixy 

When I was younger Rachel Carson taught me the meaning of courage in the face of adversity. And when I grew older she taught me how to be a better parent.

even if we speak no French, we might do well to take these lines to heart

I first came to Saint Ex through his aviation writing. It was only later that I discovered The Little Prince, but it has been that book more than any other that I have gifted to friends and loved ones. And it has been this passage that I have wanted to share most.

oops!

Mistakes happen. (If you're not making mistakes, you're not trying new things.) But every mistake is a new opportunity to learn and grow. (And, in the long run, mistakes don't matter; after all, who can remember how many times they fell down in the process of learning how to walk?) Let the mistakes commence!

the uncrowned Poet Laureate of the 70s

Preview Note: Along with the regular article next week look for a new prize give-away: this time pens! (Yep, that's plural. In fact, I'll be giving away two sets of pens!) Hope to see you then. (And remember, if you don't want to miss future articles -- and give-aways -- there are now three ways to subscribe.)

Ciao!