Kids book idear: "Sometimes...."

One late evening, [when most of my creative concoctions are born], I had some ramblings bouncing around my head, so I typed them into the only thing in arms reach, my blackberry notepad app. I thought it might make a fun kids book. The idea comes from the thought of how kids imagination's think up random wonderfulness.

Above is the proposed main character for this book. [below is the rough sketch]
Stay tuned for a couple pages to come....!

It's not about white elephants.

14' x 8' ish , gouache on 140 lb watercolour paper


The original sketch, it was like the 15th one to finally set it up right.

For Character's in Western Culture class [our only elective], we had to pick a piece of literature from the course pack, and illustrate a scene. Then we present our illustration and explain it, which is what I will be doing on Tuesday.

Anyhoo, since we are so busy with all the film jazz, I took this opportunity to paint, yay! I hadn't touched my brushes since the summer....sadness. Everything has been from the digital world. I need tangibility! [It's a word.]

The piece I chose is by Hemingway, called 'Hills Like White Elephants'. But after reading it, it ain't about no white elephants! It's basically about these 2 people and their conversation. Here's my interpretation!

Chuck Amuck. A spoonful of inspirato.

My sketchy attempt at Monsieur Chuck Jones. Gotta love the staple bowtie!

I spent my bday down at Wpg Beach last week - how better to spend it than by the lake?? One of the lovely things I did, besides lotsa swimming, eating, and air guitar, was reading. Lotsa reading. Reading these days is gravely underrated!!

So as per my Chuck Jones up there, I finally finished his animated autobiography, and it was SUCH a great read! Perhaps it had a lot to do with my intense admiration for such a man as this, and it may have also doubly interested me due to my animated studies... but I recommend it for any reader! His life was so interesting, and his writing style is of high regard.

There were so, so, sooooo many gems in this book I wish I could remember, but here's one that stands out. I agree whole-heartedly.

"You must remember always that only man, of all creatures, can blush, or needs to; that only man can laugh, or needs to; and that if you are in that trade of helping others to laugh and to survive by laughter, then you are privileged indeed." ~CJ

I give it 5 out of 5 Marvin Martian Acme Disintegrating Pistols!

Life is Beautiful

This weekend I retreated from the busyness that is the city, and relaxed with my books in the small town of Winnipeg Beach. I don't know about everyone else, but when I allow myself to slow down and enjoy each moment, I often experience seemingly simple, yet wonderfully beautiful things about this life. And at the end of the day, this is what inspires me most.

I experienced three rather poignant things this weekend, and I feel I must share. Perhaps having a blog is just an excuse to keep a public diary of sorts, but I was so encouraged by what I experienced, I feel it wrong of me to keep all to myself. :)

Experience 1 - The delightful old man, his hair all askew


On Saturday Tams and I were in the little store at Winnipeg Beach with her grandma [who lives there] and we were looking over the fresh meats.

A kindly-looking older man, who obviously spent more time using a hammer than a comb, stopped us and held out a package of meat. He leaned towards us and said, "Excuse me, can I cook this in the fry pan?"

I, being the non-cooker of the pack, [I am much more creative outside of the kitchen!], stepped back and let them field this question. I didn't realize how much his answer would impact me.

They reassured him he could cook that quite fine in a fry pan, to which he replied, smiling in spite of himself, "You know, I should have paid more attention to my wife when she cooked. I just built houses and never noticed, and then she up and got sick and was gone just like that."

He looked away smiling as if to remember her fondly, as he placed the meat into his cart and kept on shopping. I couldn't help but notice how awkward he looked trying to buy his own groceries. Much like myself going to buy a drill in a hardware store.

It just reminded me... everyone around us is leading such drastically different lives, yet it's so easy to ignore people. And despite his scattered exterior; his wiry hair sticking out everywhere and his mussed shorts and t-shirt, he was one of the most beautiful characters I think I have ever met. Even though I told myself I was going to take a sketch-break this weekend, as soon as we came back home, I had to sketch him. It was my way of never forgetting him.

Experience 2 - Snow Cake, surprisingly warm for the heart


We picked up a couple rentals to watch this weekend, one of which was Snow Cake. I have to confess, we decided to rent this solely because of the three main actors whom I adore - Alan Rickman [a la Harry Potter - I would sit if he read me the dictionary], Sigourney Weaver [love the experienced actresses] and Carrie-Ann Moss [of Matrix fame].

This is perhaps one of the best films I have ever seen. It was refreshing, poignant, insightful, touching, exhilaratingly honest, beautifully made, sensitive without being cheesy, indie-feeling without being annoyingly confusing.... incredible writing, amazing acting, heartfelt yet real-to-life story. It dealt with adult autism, death and loss.... but with such compassion and profound humor, it was a joy to get lost in it for a couple of hours. Especially Sigourney Weaver's character was quite wonderful to admire.


I wasn't even ready to hear a story of such amazing capacity... and it sincerely reminded me why I wanted to even get into this ol' film industry. It's films like this that remind you why this medium is so important. Perhaps humanity itself is probably the best plot theme of all. Special effects, schmecial effects.

I normally don't use this blog for reviews, but I felt this one was a definite must-see. Of course, there is always the obligatory scene that it could have done without... but I honestly feel that everyone's life would be better if they watched this film.

And to top this cake off with some incredibly satisfying icing - they mention Winnipeg like 8 times! It's actually set in Wawa, Ontario, but Alan Rickman's character is on his way to Winnipeg. That's worth the price of admission right there.

So what are you waiting for, get to your nearest Blockbuster!

Experience 3 - Great books are underrated


I am currently enjoying three books, all of which are delicious in their own way. One, an Agatha Christie mystery [I am determined to discover for myself what my mom's been raving about all these years], two, Chuck Amuck, Chuck Jones' own story of his animated experiences [such an amazing book I shall reserve for its' own post later on], and three, the above new book by a fav author of mine, Max Lucado.

Sure, the cover is [intended to be] cheesy, but what's inside is surely not. I'm about halfway through this incredibly appealing read, and already I want to re-read it so as not to forget anything.

I don't care whatcha believe in, or how you want to live your life, I think we can all agree that we'd like more help in sincerely enjoying every day of our lives to the fullest. Well, I think ol' Max here has put into sentences most things I have wondered about and have wanted to ask. Just some plain old encouragement on enjoying life. And who doesn't want that? I know I do. :) I am grateful for people like him who have the gift to publish things like this.


And with that I say, life is beautiful.