Spring is sprung

Hello kids!

Been a crazy month here in the studio, I did some wonderful commissions which lead to more commissions which lead to doing more commissions. So, needless to say I have been drawing up a storm! Between work and the usual goings on of life I've really needed signs of spring to help motivate me a bit, ensure that things aren't staying stagnant. Things are moving along as they should. 

My mother would often quote a poem around this time of year:

"Spring is sprung, the grass is riz

I wonder where the birdies is"

She usually stopped here, but the rest would go...

"They say the birdies on the wing, but that's absurd

I always thought the wing was on the bird"

I didn't know that this was a poem that many people recite but that no one really knows who it belongs to (according to my brief search through the internet). It's been attributed to Ogden Nash or ee cummings. 

Isn't it funny how sometimes the thing you create lives on without you?

Whether that thing is a story, art, a word, a smile -  they may be remembered by someone you met only once or never even met at all. I have had moments like this with people all around the world simply from working on my illustrations. I have a pieces of artwork from people in France, the US, Canada, Brazil, the UK. Messaged with people from all corners of the globe, been moved by these glimpses into their soul and their kind words.

I have memories of people I haven't seen in years and even still remember their birthdays. I have recipes that I only make because of them. I have read books based on their recommendations and these tiny fragments of them live inside me and all of this combines to help create who I am today.

They may not realize how profound it is that I think of them after all this time. 

I may be discounting that they may also think of me often too.

I think what I am trying to say in a clumsy sort of way, is that with the world being the way it is right now, it's more important than ever for us all to come together.

To create community, weave ourselves together like a much loved quilt, binding ourselves stitch by stitch. I would not have gotten as far as I have without the love and support of others. Family, friends, teachers, coworkers and complete strangers - old and new.

If you're looking to create community you have lots of options, but for the most part you ARE going to have to leave your cave once and a while. Try going out to art shows and galleries, sign up for workshops and classes that can help you grow as an artist as well as get you in touch with other creatives.

The best resource I've found as someone who is a bit of an introvert has been the internet, it's much easier to find places where other people like you gather because of things like social media and online forums. It's a great way to post your work and get feedback as well as expand your network and bond with others without ever leaving the house.

Remember, finding your artistic tribe is not just about sharing a love for art—it's about building meaningful connections, supporting each other's creative journeys, and the beauty of collaboration. Putting yourself out there can be difficult but if you embrace the weird and wonderful world of art around you, it will get easier and your artistic community will grow and flourish! 

Sometimes in order to grow you have to leave the comforts of the familiar and reach out towards the unknown, just like the grass rises towards the sun.

The Goat