March Madness

Calloo callay - had the most frabjous day! The whole weekend, actually. Frabjous - really. There's just no other word for it. For someone who normally doesn't get out much, I got a lot out of this rainy weekend.

Went to see Alice - which was both better in some ways and not so much in others -- than I expected. I really want to see it again though. Next time with much less cell phone action going on. I think it would be best viewed with zero talking in the row behind me and no texting going on in the seat beside me. Grr. That kind of colored my experience, but still I enjoyed it muchly, nonetheless.

The even better part -  the best part -- of the weekend for me though, was the next day - when I saw this,

and this

and that

and so much more...Going to this exhibit - seeing the originals of so many children's book illustrations that I've loved - I mean, really truly LOVED, since - well, forever -- up CLOSE and personal - not across some velvet rope but right there next to it - with only the thinnest piece of glass between me and the ink and watercolor -- I don't even know how to describe what it felt like...

Yes, I do. It may sound silly - but I felt almost like I was on a pilgrimage to a shrine. Since the whole exhibit was hung down low to be more accessible to children, I may have even looked like I was worshipping at some of them - since in order to see them better, I would drop down to my knees in front of them. Occasionally whispering, with a sigh - 'Sir John Tenniel--' or 'Maurice Sendak!,' 'oh! Beatrix Potter...' (I didn't genuflect - though I sort of considered it, a few times). (I'm kidding). (sort of).

Seeing the originals, with their meticulous, maddeningly perfect tiny brushstrokes or their splashes of vivid color, so spontaneous and yet so perfectly placed - or graphite and charcoal, soft and smooth as butter. Everywhere you turned, there were illustrations - spanning the gamut of children's literature - folk and fairytales, the classics, the Caldecott's and more (including one of my illustration crushes...though that Chris Van Allsburg I suspect of being a robot. Drawings too perfect for a human hand. Only a cyborg could be that precise with shading. Lines. Everything. How else could he do that?).

 ^{*Standard blogger disclaimer: The preceding was a fictitious, facetious statement, used as a poor excuse for humor, actually meant as a compliment. There is no verifiable source or factual evidence that Mr. Van Allsburg is a robot, cyborg, computer or even a demi-god, nor anything other than humanoid. Should he, his friends or minion of robots stumble across this, please do not institute legal action, send the terminator or throw lightning bolts. Thank you.}

The experience was all so - well, both discouraging and yet - inspiring. It showed me how much farther I really have to go (which is far - so far, my friend -- a journey of faltering baby steps, barely begun). But it also whispered that the paths do exist - and there are many. Others have gone down them and told their tale. Maybe with much, much work and dedication - some day I may get there...and no matter how many steps, how long the path - the journey IS the fun. Dare to hope, to dream... But most of all - draw while you dream. If you stop trying - you can't get there from here. You have to keep on going. Even if it is by baby steps - every step gets you a little closer to where you want to go, even if you never actually get there - and I may or may not, ever get there... You and I, me and you - this talking to yourself on blogs thing makes the pronouns a little tricky. You know what I mean...anyway -

Keep on dancing, marching down the path -- no matter how far or mad it may seem. You might get there, yet.

And turn off your cell phone, please.

_{'Mad Hatter' and 'The White Knight,' woodcuts, Sir John Tenniel, circa 1865. 'Cinderella's Carriage,' graywash, Beatrix Potter, 1891. Collection of  Les and Zora Charles, exhibited at 'Paint Me a Story,' University of Redlands Peppers Art Gallery, March 2010.}

Comments

[Pacian]

Ah cool, I've always loved Sir John Tenniel's illustrations for Alice. And the whole hanging them low for the kids thing is great.

:-)

[Janet]

That must have been such a fun exhibit. And never fear, you'll get there. I think your drawings and paintings are fantastic so don't give up.

My cell phone is always off! I forget to turn it on most of the time. Don't like the darn things!

[Stephanie]

OH!!! I can't wait to see Alice, this weekend I hope and yes, grrrrrr to cell phone and texting at the movies.

I was lucky enough to see a wonderful exhibit (maybe this same one????) of original drawings and paintings like you describe in Santa Barbara last year.

I love how you describe them being hung low for small eyes and 'bowing' to the beauty there.
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