Sunday Sketches and more from Ivan

Just a journal page... hope to be doing a canvas soon.  I have a painting to do for my granddaughters room and I am trying to muster up the courage to tackle my vision!

I shared the kids books, The one and only Ivan with you in my last post. http://sinderella-studio.blogspot.com/2013/01/yep-i-am-still-alive.html   I think I shall be sharing Ivan's wisdom with you all year.  I believe we all need a little more common sense and humility, kindness would be beneficial too.  Oh, and  less "what's in it for me" would help the world too!  Okay, off my soap box.  Words to think about:
"Humans speak too much.  They chatter like chimps, crowding the world with their noise even when they have nothing to say."  Ivan, the one and only, by Katherine Applegate.  I now look at people spouting negativity and gossip with chimp faces!  I smile and walk away, instead of becoming angry and frustrated.

An artist earlier this year, Joss of  http://soulbrush.blogspot.co.uk,  asked what would your one word be for 2013.  At the time I answered in two words, duct tape.  I happen to be very opinionated and direct  (a bad combo).  So when people ask me what I think - I tell them.  Knowing me I don't know why they ask if they don't want to hear my answer.  They know I will tell them.  So, I chose duct tape.  It is to remind me to process and not really answer.  I then later added glitter!  Because if I take a deep breath and roll my head - then say GLITTER.  I smile and tend to not need the duct tape.  So far I have found these words very useful.  So, you may want to try finding words for yourself!

I pick up Ivan's book and also look at the cover often - helps me to remember there is a soft side to world and we need more of it!  Quiet is good, there doesn't always have to be noise.  What color is your quiet?

Thanks for letting me chatter, hopefully not like a chimp, and stopping by!  Please be sure to visit all the fabulous thoughts and work at Sunday Sketches hosted by Alexandra!

cheers, dana
life is short, make sure you LIVE it

YEP, I AM STILL ALIVE...

Too much to explain as to my absence so I won't.  I think I have things in order to give some consistency to my poor little blog.  I miss soooooooooooo much all the friends, encouragement and inspiration I get when visiting! 
So. for 2013 here is how I will start:
I purchased a book for one of our grandson's, Jackson.  He just turned 9 before Christmas.  The book is, I am the One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao.  It was a recommended book by the stores staff in the 8 - 12 yr old section.  As Jackson is an excellent reader and loves elephants (there was a baby elephant with a gorilla on the cover) I decided to pick it up.  I got home and read the first few pages just to get a sense of it and found myself totally submerged in the pages!  I read the whole book, laughing and crying all the way through.  EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.   I am buying a copy for all of our childrens' households.  The lessons in this book are wonderful!

My quote today that I am sharing - food for thought as we live in this choatic world is:

"Humans waste words.  They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot.  Everyone knows the peels are the best part."

Seriously, think about that!

Sharing my reading inspired sock monkey - mainly painted with my fingers!!!!  It was liberating to just dip and paint like Ivan!

I love books!!!!  Be a reader!!!!

Have a great day and rest of the week.  Life is short, make sure you LIVE it!!!!
cheers, dana

all work copyright Sinderella's Studio/dana strickland 2013