Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Blog Hop...What do you love? And why?

This is what a good story can do. "Children at a Puppet Theatre", Paris 1963 by Alfred Eisenstaedt
      "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
                                                                          Anais Nin

When I heard about "The Courage to Fly" blog hop from Stephey Baker of the Marked by the Muse blog, I really connected to it. I love the idea of giving willing participants(there are 37 of us)the opportunity to sit with a big question and answer it on our blogs.  For my question, I chose a seemingly simple one, "What do you love? and why?" I will admit it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be to answer, but I am going to give it a try.

 This past year has been kind of a spiritual quest for me. Last summer, I quit my dead-end job and  I started my new illustration business. It's been a pretty scary endeavor for me but I think I've been preparing my whole life for it. And guess what? I'm doing it. I'm living my dream. And I feel like a completely different artist from who I was a year ago. I've finally allowed myself the time to truly sit down with myself and figure out who I am as an illustrator. Believe me, this has been one of the most rewarding and difficult years of my life. And I realize how much I really still need to learn.

So what have I learned? I learned enough to answer the question, What do I love?  So, here are the basics.... I really love dark stories. The spookier the better. I suppose it is because in most of these tales there is always a hero that must rise and save the world. The hero finds hope within the darkness, and he/she always seems to  find hidden strength within themselves. There is something really romantic in that to me. 

What else do I love? I really love learning about history. It really fascinates me. I can get pretty geeky about it, but I don't care. I love doing research for the illustrations I do. I love creating characters and imagining what their lives would of been like. What did they look like? What kind clothes did they wear? Where did they live? What did they believe in? How did they live their lives? It's all totally amazing to me,  just like jumping in a time machine. I love sharing all the cool things I've find with friends. The research is almost like finding a treasure chest if you dig deep enough.

What is biggest thing I learned this year? Just how much I love creating things. It still amazes me how many emotions you can create with a few simple lines drawn on paper...I always wanted to be an artist and storyteller. And now I am.  I just need to learn to go even deeper with it. I need to learn how to conquer all of those demons that stop me from sharing all the stories I have buried within me. Slowly, it's happening, I'm so happy to be finally dealing with those fears.

 And lastly, I have one more big thing I love. The fact that my life is good and I am surrounded by love. I have to thank the universe for sending all of these amazing people in my life(especially my husband, Damon). I feel very lucky that I can do what I do. And perhaps with a tiny smidgen of extra luck, maybe by next year I can figure out a way to make a living...Now that would be something I could really love!

So...What makes your heart soar?


13 comments:

stephey baker : Marked By The Muse™ said...

I love this message within your post, "...find hidden strength within..." yourself! This is so priceless. I think you are spot on when expressing the need to sit down w/yourself and figure out who we are as Artists - human beings. I resonate with your dream of desiring to be an illustrator. It's one of my earliest dreams i can remember when a child. The journey into that Dream has been long and at times challenging, like you wrote, "...ne of the most rewarding and difficult.: But SO WORTH IT! Fighting for our creative spirit is worth any inner resistance or difficulty we may have to face, it's as if we must enter our own "dark story" and that can be scary. But like most "dark stories" we can rise up and be our own heros, write ourselves into our own happily ever after and that is the best bedtime story ever! It yields freedom within and the Courage to Fly! Thank you for sharing your invaluable insight and heart! Hope you have an inspiring day.

Bonita Rose said...

I loved reading your post.. I am participating this week too! Isn't it wonderful when we hv the freedom and the means to pursue our dreams? I am right alongside of you on this journey! Here's to us! xo hugs loved reading your worlds.. and that photo fr Paris is so so beautiful. xo

deb did it said...

I am with ya Sister...livin the dream...realistically and whole heartedly..and by the way...YOU ARE ALREADY AN ARTIST!! Good luck pursuing those dreams! You will shine!

Alexis Yael said...

I love this! I geek out on research, too (but for writing and photography, not drawing). And I love the dark, romantic stories... and that we dig deep to find strength to save ourselves/ the world, from a hero's prospective!

(And I resonate with needing to find a way to make a living doing this work! I'm finding my way on that, too... It's possible, I know it, but it's a totally different set of skills than my art!)

terri st. cloud said...

the photo you posted at the top!
right there, as soon as i saw that, i loved you!!!! was a joy to read your post.....

Sonya McCllough Lockridge said...

yes I too love the photo you selected ... an on point post ... well worth the read!

Unknown said...

Wow...Thank you all, I'm glad you liked my post.It made my day waking up to all your comments. :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Debbie,
Congratulations on quitting your job to work on your dreams!
It's so encouraging to hear of people doing this & gaining hapiness! I'm lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mum so I can work on my dream business form home too & reading your post is encouraging to me!
I wish you all the best in your career.
xo Katie Sweet Rustic

Sandra Marie said...

It is so inspiring to read of someone who has taken the leap and is now living their dream! Thanks for sharing your wonderful story!!

Brandi Hussey said...

I loooove spooky stories! I prefer to read something supernatural, paranormal, something that lets me escape.

Beautiful post!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

I am new to your blog! So glad that I found it!

Wendy Brightbill said...

i feel the same way about my business, as if everything in my life so far has prepared me for this moment somehow. it feels pretty amazing stepping out on your dreams doesn't it?

kelly@thebluemuse said...

Yay! for you! And I am so happy that you are living your dream. Love your illustrations!

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