Perhaps you've been there. Written or created something wonderful on your computer and then your computer crashes and your work is lost either completely or for a long moment. That was my experience this week with my blog post. All set to post and then the "blue screen of death" appeared and the post, along with several other business files, now hibernates in computer space or perhaps gone forever...I'll find out on Monday. It's times like these when we are really stretched to surrender and let go into the creative flow because there's really no other choice. Always something to learn in these moments. Is it a powerful redirect, or is it something to test your resolve, or is it simply a practice in embracing the unknown as I talked about last month. Whatever the lesson, it is a powerful reminder to go with the creative flow of life and art. But since my post isn't happening as planned, I thought I'd offer a video from my online class that just started, Painting and Photo Collage, as a substitute. My original post was going to explore how anyone can illustrate their own work and begin to look at different techniques to make this happen, so in a way this video is a nice supplement. In this video I discuss the visual understory and symbolism that lends depth and meaning to the book I illustrated, Nana's Big Surprise, by Amada Irma Perez. I also begin to look at how the artwork was constructed. Enjoy the video and here's to going with the flow! Maya Gonzalez is largely self-taught. She has illustrated over 20 award-winning multicultural children’s books and written 3 with, not an end in sight! Her latest book, Call Me Tree, set to come out next year with Lee&Low Books, is her most recent labor of love! Her fine art has shown internationally and appears in numerous books about the contemporary Chicano Art Movement including on the cover of Living Chicana Theory and Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Art: Artists, Works, Culture and Education considered to be "the Bible of Chicano/a art." Ridiculously creative, she’s probably making art as you read this or thinking about making art if she’s driving a car or using the stove. And one of her ultimate passions is inspiring others to create books, because she believes that creating children's books has the potential to be one of the most radical things you can do!
4 Comments
Ann Magee
9/9/2013 01:27:25 am
Maya, What an informative post. It's good to hear you are well. I am an elementary teacher who loves children's literature. I love being an "insider" and knowing the understory of artwork in picture books. I am currently taking the PB Academy's Craft and Business of Writing Picture Books. I am an amateur photographer and avid scrapbooker--your Cheating With Photos class looks like a perfect way for me to try my hand at illustrating. Maybe I could even illustrate my own picture book one day! Thanks.
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maya
9/9/2013 08:43:25 am
thanks for all the sweet words. i LOVE telling people the secrets and stories behind my book art. i imagine you are fast on your way to illustrating your own tale! btw, scrapbooking has been one of my new found favorite supply resources!
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9/9/2013 02:35:01 am
This is a wonderful post, and your website is full of such fabulous-looking courses in a rich array of topics. I look forward to registered for one in the near future!
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maya
9/9/2013 08:44:27 am
thank you carol for your fab words!
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