\ngives you peace?
\n
![\"DSC00961\"](\"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/DSC00961.jpg\")
<\/a>\nHills of Gold 11×14 New oil on board.<\/p>\n
It is especially helpful when I am far from the wilderness that I love,
\nto fuel my work and life, with other sources of inspiration.
\nIt isn\u2019t just necessary, it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Pablo Picasso<\/p>\n
\u201cInspiration motivates our action\u201d Joel Zaslofsky<\/a> writes via Mark McGuiness of Lateral Action.<\/a> I enlisted my friend and fellow Artist Amy (7) for her opinion on my collection. Amy is rarely without art supplies. We began our session with Hank the Snake. Amy loved the beauty of “Journey” with it\u2019s incredible illustrations, Twenty minutes after Amy left, she returned with a portrait of us drawn on a big Red Heart. There are times in our lives when we feel stuck & uninspired. Many situations may contribute to this state of mind & heart. You read that correctly. Inspiration isn\u2019t tangible, it\u2019s a state of being. What brings you joy? makes … Continue reading
\nJoel was describing the children\u2019s book,”Hank Finds Inspiration<\/a>\u201d, by Craig Frazier.
\nIt’s an insightful story of a snake named Hank who seeks inspiration and one of my favourite books.
\nI thought it would be fun to share my other favourites for adults and children alike.
\nAmong them, “The Dot”, “Ish” and “Sky Colour”, by Peter H. Reynolds<\/a>,
\nand “Journey”<\/a>by Aaron Becker,a beautifully illustrated storybook without words.<\/p>\n
\nShe arrived sporting a new butterfly bag filled with her markers and book.
\n\u201cIt was white when I got it.\u201d she announced.
\nHer artistry has dressed it up considerably. Fashionable, and useful.<\/p>\n
\nAt 3, she toted a Princess lunch box filled with crayons and dog biscuits for her furry friend Duffy.
\nAt 5 she painted a portrait of she and I in my garden still displayed on my fridge.( I am the one in the blue dress).
\n<\/a>
\nLast summer, Amy created her own little studio retreat,
\nequipping the tree house with a tote of art supplies and comfy chair.
\nShe added cheerful pink curtains, colourful butterflies, and a decorated beach mat.
\nI understand her brothers were slightly horrified and no longer play there.<\/p>\n
\nAmy saw what many would overlook.
\nHank lives in a world with green clouds.
\n\u201cWell, that\u2019s kind of neat, and inspiring.\u201d she said.
\nWe were on page one. Hank hadn\u2019t even started his journey.<\/p>\n
\nand perused “Sky Colour”, and “Ish.”
\n“The Dot” was her favourite.
\nIt is a great story of, Vashti, a little girl who is encouraged by her teacher to \u2018make her mark\u2019.
\nVashti\u2019s enthusiasm takes her to endless possibilities with her art.
\nAuthor Peter H. Reynolds writes<\/a> \u201cIt is a book that encourages us to be brave about expressing ourselves. It gently reminds us to start small and explore the IDEA.\u201d
\nIt is also a story of sharing and encouraging each other, teacher, student, friend.<\/p>\n
\nThe inscription concluded \u201cit was a happy day\u201d
\nYes, Amy, it was a happy day, Thank you.
\n~
\nPS: The Dot is a personal favourite, given to me over a decade ago by a shy little boy who came to me for an art \u201clesson\u201d.
\nJoshua left, it seems, inspired.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"