Art books, flowers, lemons, salted caramel and wine…
There is a wonderful quote by John Keats: “Give me books, french wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music outdoors played by somebody I do not know.”
Have you ever gone to a park with a book, a snack and have the opportunity to listen to Jazz? I did! Once we were on vacation and everyone was playing golf - no diss on golf but I really wanted to “try” Keats quote on for real! Off I went book and snack packed up on a beautiful sunny day. Honestly, the small jazz band was a surprise and I didn’t bring wine but the rest was true to the quote and smack dab fantastic!
Books books and more books!!! Such a wonderful pleasure once received and opened for the first time all the excitement and thirst for knowledge bursting like a piece of a ripe citrusy make your mouth pucker lemon. Once opened and then devoured like a salted caramel desert!
I have more books than I care to admit to especially after recently “downsizing.” It is our secret okay? I didn’t really get rid of most of my books and there are a few that I saved and will pass onto future generations. Books are my strength and weakness all rolled into one.
My first real WOW Art book was Expressive drawing by Steven Aimone. There have been more since but this one will always be on my desk and used as reference. It is one of those - Gotcha!!! books. The book that made me feel that I was on the right path for making my art. I have studied and practiced my art for many hours some frustrating and producing “not very good art” and then on to the energizing positive fantastic hours. No hour was ever wasted or regretted even through the tears that came up a few times over the years. Like love art can hurt sometimes but as the bumps become smaller it then grows into something else even better.
Is there an art book that you resonated with so much it brought you joy? If so, please let me know which one in the comments below.
Summer is around the corner and I really hope that we all get to hug our loved ones, dear friends and then go to a park and enjoy the outdoors and talented musicians, actors, acrobats, all of the things that we humans do that make life so creatively wonderful.
I wish you a fantastic June.
Creatively yours,
Karen xo