February Blog

Art

 "This is Art.", says Art"...

"Art" is a clever rhyming children's book written and illustrated by the Mutts Comic Strip creator Patrick McDonnell. It's about a budding young artist who uses his creativity to express himself. I love this children's book because it's endearing and tells the story about learning, creating and the love between a mother and a child. It's also interesting to me to witness the  great talent that McDonnell has and is willing to share with his young and old readers.  According to McDonnell's website, "In 2005, McDonnell embarked on a children’s book career. His first children’s book The Gift of Nothing quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. Art (2006), his second release, told the story of a boy named Art who makes art. His next release, Just Like Heaven (2006), heralding the joys of simple blessings, was hailed in a starred review by Kirkus as “a meditation on the true nature of miracles.” In 2007 McDonnell again returned to the New York Times Best Seller list with Hug Time, featuring a kitten named Jules who goes around the world hugging endangered species. Since then, he has produced two additional childrens books (South and Wag!) along with the 2012 Caldecott Honor winner Me…Jane, a biography about the young Jane Goodall, and The Monsters’ Monster." *🎨1

Reading, learning and creating have always been so vital to me and my family. In fact, my son, Denis, would read so often that as a Christmas gift one year we gave him his very own reading lamp which he used every night. His son and my grandson, William, loves to read just like his dad.  As you can see from the photo below he even falls asleep reading with a book as a pillow. 

William Dagger 2021

My granddaughters, Maddie and Annabel, love to create and learn.  Maddie is a concert cellist and loves to paint and draw. Annabel draws, paints and loves to dance. My Step-Grandson, Karl, loves to create by styling hair. ​

Annabel Creating in the Studio

Maddie Playing the Cello at Carnegie Hall

William, Annabel and Dagger DogVinci Creating in the Studio

Maddie standing next to her 1st Place Winner Drawing

Annabel and Dagger DogVinci working in the Studio

Creating and learning are so important to our development...no matter how old or young we are. I find it very rewarding when I create something whether it's creating my own art work, crocheting, learning a new recipe, working with Dagger or learning how to play the Ukulele (Yes, I'm trying to teach myself how to play the Ukulele by utilizing the YouTube tutorials...believe it or not!! I purchased an inexpensive Ukulele on Amazon...recommended to me by my dear friend Ann). All of these things make me feel successful. I've also found that the older I get the more I don't know. It can be kind of exciting when I think of how much I can still to learn and explore. 

During the difficult times of the pandemic, when we are pretty much at home... doing something creative or reading and learning something new takes us away from the stress of living in our isolated "bubble." It gives us purpose and keeps us positive. It also adds meaning to our lives. 

Throughout the month of February, maybe we can take sometime to learn something new or create our very own masterpiece. Whatever you do, do it knowing that however good or bad your creation is...you'll be spending your time wisely knowing that as you create, you're enhancing your life. What an exciting journey that can be!!

Happy Creating!!
Happy learning!!
​Happy exploring!!
Happy Valentine's Day
❤️ Stay well. Stay warm & Stay safe ❤️
xoxo Yvonne

 
​Bibliography
​*🎨1  https://mutts.com/about-patrick/#