is money really all that and a bag of chips?

hi everyone!

Happy Saturday... (at least it's Saturday as i write this)

i am slowly getting back into my routine
of playing & writing & making art during the evenings.
i love these evenings...

After mentioning on my last post
that i was done my 4 month term job,
one of the comments i got was from the very wise & talented Gwen...
(you can find her here)

She wrote this:
you do what you need to do,
to do what you want to do.
Such truth to this.

Few of us are lucky enough to do what we love as our work.

Many of us (i want to say most) are stuck in jobs we hate,

selling at least 8 hours of our day to someone else, 

to another business,

another corporation,

for money.

And some of us need more money than others...

In the past few years,
i've discovered that i can do a lot with very little
and that some people are higher maintenance
than others.

I've also discovered
that we're not all given the same chance in life
and when circumstances steer your life in a different direction
than what you thought your life would be -
it's not all sparkles & rainbows.
But it's not all bad either.
It is your new life.

And when directions change...
Opportunities change.
Priorities change.
People change.
Sometimes, in ways that make them feel more grounded.

Those who know me know

that my definition of success

is not a full bank account,

but a full heart.

And i don't get a full heart

by watching my money grow,

or by shopping,

or by driving a new car.

Someone else might - i don't.

I get a full heart

by connecting with others (like you!)

by listening to music

by sharing coffee & conversation with friends

by being in nature

by asking questions

by making art

by reading

by writing...

by doing what i need to do,

to do what i want to do.

(thank you Gwen)...

Bob Dylan once said:

What's money?

A man is a success if he gets up in the morning

and goes to bed at night

and in between,

does what he wants to do.

I try to live up to this,

and follow my own heart as much as i can.

...and whenever i can, i have fun.
How can striped orange socks 
and cowboy boots with spurs NOT be fun?! :-)

When i drew this,
i realized she (or he, or it!) seemed awfully uncomfortable
balancing on her hands with her bum in the air on the beach.
So i gave her a little stool.
And her boots have to be on the blanket,
cause you don't wanna get sand in the spurs...
(giggle)

See what happens when i sit on a Saturday morning,
with nothing but good coffee,
and time on my hands?
(does she ever shut up?)

Thanks for sticking with me, folks.
...for those of you who are still reading.

Have a great weekend!
xox

Danny Gregory

hi everyone.

No art from me today,

but I do want to share something from this man.

Danny Gregory.

I love this man's work.

He is a prolific illustrator and has published

several books and art journals.

 He reminds me that art is life.

He reminds me that drawing can be done anytime,

anywhere

with anything as a subject.

He is skilled at handwriting

and illustrating

and combining color

but more than anything

he is skilled at living.

He is skilled at observing.

At taking the time.

At sharing a day in the life...

I am grateful for people like Danny Gregory,

who give us a glimpse into their world

through art and words.

Danny reminds me that we all have a story to tell

and that we all have a different way

of looking at the world.

He reminds me that we're all ok.

He also reminds me that

there is room for everyone in this world

and that there can be such beauty

in sharing the most simple things.

The drawing of a bagel

a cup of coffee

a smile

a park bench.

His latest book is this one.

A kiss before you go -

an illustrated memoir of love and loss

(about his wife, Patti)

You can hear Danny talk about his book here.

This one will be sitting on my shelf soon.

Wishing you all a great weekend

and for my Canadian friends,

a WONDERFUL Canada day tomorrow, eh!! :-)

Tomorrow is all about fireworks and lollipops for me.

xoxo