Okay, I'll admit I've been drawing again. I still have a story, hinted at in pencil sketches I posted a year ago, that seems to become clearer the more I draw. Life certainly would be simpler if the whole of it would just appear on paper or in text. I'm a terrible writer of children's stories because I hate imagining children in danger or distress. Goodness knows there's already enough of that in the news without me adding more. The problem, though, is that stories have to engage a reader's attention and that generally means conflict of some kind or other that needs to be remedied. So I continue to work on these pictures bit by bit while the story, such as it is, unfolds. I'm thinking to paint them one after another once the line work's all done. Then again, they're interesting enough on their own that I may just start painting them and pass on the story altogether. Time will tell.
Besides, the competition for attention has become pretty intense. It’s amazing just how much we are bombarded by the media – or perhaps allow ourselves to be bombarded is the correct way of saying it. Until something like this animation by Cesar Cepeda is placed under our noses it is easy to imagine that it isn’t too much and that we control it.
The Control from cesar cepeda on Vimeo.
Anyone for a good book?
♡
Been looking at the sketch for a few minutes, and one thing keeps me coming back to it: It's our eldest, sitting with her mother Cary when she was 8 or so....Cary has a few more years in the picture, but hey. Kate is saying 'Yeah, I took their lunch money, they really thought they could keep up with me on the track. So?" Cary is nodding, looking down. "Yes honey, but they went hungry that day." Kate shrugs, "They're fat mom, that's why they were gasping after a lap!" Cary smiles...."Yes, but that's why we have to help them honey....not take their lunch money."
ReplyDeleteThe eldest girl gazes off. "When will dad be here, he'll get me off the hook with the principal."
That's a great story, Mike. I have a feeling it's a true one too :)
DeleteTrue indeed. A long story so I won't get into it here but she was an accomplished runner back then, held national records for her age, once won a race it the 18 and under group, she was 7, to much dissatisfaction by others in her group.
DeleteYeah, I was the one then who took her side in these instances; she was competitive, and had a sense of social rights and wrongs that sometimes intermingled. Like betting boys they weren't as fast for their lunch money....
Luckily for her, I was the ombudsman for the school back then........
So now she's a house mom with a Phd, does math on the side, and is just happy as can be.
Funny how things work out.
It sounds as if she was a bright and wonderful child right from the beginning, Mike. Nevertheless, it was a good thing you had her back through that intensely competitive period. Now your daughter gets to experience all the entertainment provided by your beautiful granddaughter. She'll still have that PhD when that fleeting period of childhood ends. I'm glad to know her mother is close.
DeleteAn interesting "Round Table" you created, Susan, with a jolly skeleton dancing happily on top of the cupboard. :)
ReplyDeleteYou do not like imagining children in danger or distress"? I don't, either. And moreover: Same goes for horror stories / films and certain other "genres".
As for the video: Nice try. Some minutes less of this "bombardment", and it would probably be even more impressive.
Rather than such kind of vain criticism we do need a Momo., obviously. :)
Apropos 'good book': What about Something Else? :)
Glad you like the picture so far, Sean. It's good we know of a few stories more suitable, eh?
ReplyDeleteI should probably have put a disclaimer above the video saying a minute would be enough :)
Something Else looks great. Fletcher and Zenobia was a long ago favorite at our house.
Children don't watch children's TV; they watch the same thing adults in their household do.
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
True enough. Shame, innit?
DeleteSusan, your drawings are often full of stories in their myriad details and they inspire stories back from your viewers too! I look forward to more such delights and am happy for you that you are drawing again.
ReplyDeleteHello again, dear Marja-Leena! Well, you can guess I never stop drawing, but I do tend to slow down a bit now and then. I'm always happy to hear you like what I've made. ♡
DeleteAh, your drawings. Always inviting and intriguing, making people ask, "What's happening here?"
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Thanks, Rob. According to my plan this one represents a little problem solving discussion that's taking place. The girl still appears to have plans of her own.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteGood to see you have been drawing again, in the usual intricate captivating detail. I’m sure your potentially a wonderful writer of children's stories, just tell an interesting tale, as for children I think it is best to avoid any lengthy descriptions or emotional entanglements in storytelling. I do think we allow ourselves to be bombarded by the media!!
Best wishes
Hi Lindsay, I'm glad you've enjoyed seeing this one too. No, I really can't write children's stories, but I'm happy enough to draw and paint pictures that could be part of a story. What's best is when I can suggest a story people wish they could read :)
DeleteAll the best.