Every writer MUST have these two books in their library. Mind you, I get no royalties for these, but as a servant teacher, I know they will help. The first book is the Artist's Way:A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julie Cameron and If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland. I am going to share a few quotes from the both writers.
Brenda Ueland
1. "Everyone is talented because everybody who is human has something to express."
2. "Another reason for writing a diary is to discover that the ideas in you are an inexhaustible fountain."
3. "If good ideas do not come at once, or for a long time, do not be troubled wait for them."
Julie Cameron
1. "Affirmations are a powerful antidote for self-hate,which commonly appears under the mask of self-doubt."
2. "Be very careful to safeguard your newly recovering artist."
3. "Fantasizing about pursing our art full-time, we fail to pursue it part time-or at all."
IF YOU LOVE YOUR ART GET THEIR BOOKS
During spring break, Michael met Kadir Nelson. Kadir is a young African American artist. If you do not have any of his books in your library, you are missing beauty. Kadir's work was featured in my classroom when I was a middle school teacher. His work has evolved into true excellence. Kadir's art brings portrayals of African American life as well as other diaspora portraits. I gave his books to a classroom of second grade students; they loved the Coretta Scott book. The likeness of Coretta Scott king is surreal and the poetic musing of Ntozake Shange provides a mellifluous rhythm.Covet his books; read them to your children, students, and of course yourself. Above all, don't forget to show the pictures.
I praise you as you rise
and traverse through life's journey.
Your psyche is carefully held in my palms
delicate like a Monarch butterflies,
I want to see you soar.
I spew affirmations and acceptance
I call things only as I want them to be.
I speak to the god in you.
I call him forth when you forget he is present.
We banish belittlement here and create
pallets for you emotional restings.
You are my manchildren in this promised land
where promises are dangled on strings of
hope deferred.
I tell you you are super, young men
I tell you to fly and
every hug, kiss, caress and affirmation
are fabrics for your quilt.
I cover you.
You can do!
You can do!
You can do!
Do
Kim G.
Very often audacity, not talent, makes one an artist and another a shadow artist-hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to touch.
Julie Cameron from the Artist's Way
