I didn’t realize so many would read far enough to see mention of sending a postcard I can use in creating the header images. Thank you for your generous responses. I will reply to everyone individually later, but anyone seeing this who is interested can email me at illustrateyourweek@gmail.com. Thanks!
Things are going very well! But I’m absolutely slammed with writing weird things my publisher is asking my co-authors and I to write for publicity and marketing for my upcoming novel. It’s fun and sometimes challenging, but distracting me from writing my next novel, which is really what I want to be doing. I might post an end-of-year piece about it on my ‘stack, if I can free up some time and brain space! I look forward to reading your Sunday posts every weekend. Thank you for all that you put into them. 💜
I'm in Canada, Amy, and we're in the midst of a postal strike. But when it's over, I'd be happy to send you a postcard. How do you privately share your address on this site?
Karen - thank you - and no pressure or rush. There are many months left in this series. If you email me at illustrateyourweek@gmail.com, I am happy to share the address at any point. Thank you for reading! (And I’m sorry about the postal strike!)
I often think about Sidewalk Oracles. My family also doesn’t understand what I consider “signs” but also I’m just recognizing them as glimmers of joy.
I’ve wanted to check out Amy Tan’s journal. I’m in line at the library for a physical copy. I love her novels and I love that she’s a writer and an artist.
It feels like so long ago that we read Sidewalk Oracles, doesn’t it? It is hard to believe it was in 2024. I had heard about Amy Tan’s birds, but I was really surprised when I opened the book. It’s quite wonderful. Thank you about the postcard comment. If you want to drop me an email at some point, I can share an address. No rush. I know December is a busy time.
The Nothingness is such a frightening prospect. I wholly subscribe to the idea that the artist is first and foremost a person who is taking the time to look. All my life people have commented on my observation, or my uncanny love of a good view or a good window, my farsightedness. It was fun to try to map sidewalk oracles along that love to see. 2-3 things stuck with me after muddling through that book, maybe it wasn’t totally a wash for me. I’d love to mail you postcards Amy, I can’t wait to see what you do with them.
That seems pretty cool to be known for your farsightedness, Lauren. I don’t think Sidewalk Oracles was a wash either. I found it to be a catalyst in some ways — and I remember your observations as you prepared for a life change. I think you have an email address for me (if not, I’ve posted it above). Thank you for offering to share a postcard! And, again, I’m looking forward to seeing how you approach your illustrated journal in the new year.
Herons, and other large water birds, aren't especially rare here either, but I can't help but come to a complete stop and try to photograph one when I see it. Of course I want to send you postcards! If I lived close, I would definitely want to come over for game night. I don't have anyone in house to play with and I miss it.
Definitely agree with having to stop and try to snap a photo of birds like that any time I see one! That seems like a perfectly good test of character, right? Thank you for offering to send a card. I’ll send my email address. With all your new neighbors, I bet a game night could be in the future ;)
I live along the river, so I see them a lot, but this one was in a different spot—or maybe just more visible there because the leaves were gone from the tree. It was cool!
I am fortunate to live in a place where Great Blue Herons are actually quite common, but I never tire of seeing them. When they fly, or call, they are so pterodactyl-ish! We had a nesting pair nearby for awhile, but they chose a site very near an existing Bald Eagle nest. There were a lot of audible squabbles that spring, and the herons eventually moved away.
One book I have suggests that herons are significant as lone hunters who follow their own paths and mostly keep to themselves. But they know how to snatch what they need from their surroundings. Interesting to consider that.
On the other hand, we don't really have ravens here. Just crows. I envy your access to them and appreciate you sharing about them.
A people-free photo in a people-y place is always a hard-won treasure, though I don't dislike your image with the pedal boat (nor the whimsical map of your route and encounters that day).
I wish you clarity and a soft place to rest anytime you need to catch your breath, especially as you find your way through the Nothingness. I wish you may more signs. The postcard story brought me a delighted smile. ☺️
I'm impressed beyond words that you are still trying to capture the morning light. The frame seems just right to me; it fades into the foreground, and I didn't know that was possible.
If you find you have the bandwidth, I think the idea of sketching your mom again is a good one. Will she wear candy cane leggings again? So festive!
The explorations of your thoughts and experiences never fail to touch parts of me that need (re)visiting, Amy. Thank you.
Thank you, Elizabeth, and I apologize for the delay in getting back here to reply. I appreciate your comments - and the way you pick up on things. I like this idea about the herons, too. (I'm surprised by how many readers have frequent herons! I had never seen one until I was an adult and living in CA.)
Thank you for this: " The frame seems just right to me; it fades into the foreground, and I didn't know that was possible." -- YES. That is somehow exactly it, and I really am thrilled that you articulated that as a viewer. You don't just stop and get tripped up by the silhouette.... you look through. Thank you!
Determined to give the Mom drawings a try again. I just asked her if she brought those leggings.... hah! And... yep.
See that?! Now I'm the one who has the delayed reply baton. Thanks for the hand-off. 😂 I hope, if nothing more, you capture a photo or drawing of your mom in those festive leggings. Talk about a grid opportunity!
I didn’t realize so many would read far enough to see mention of sending a postcard I can use in creating the header images. Thank you for your generous responses. I will reply to everyone individually later, but anyone seeing this who is interested can email me at illustrateyourweek@gmail.com. Thanks!
The heron is so beautiful. I always think of them as a symbol of hope x
I think seeing it as a symbol of hope is a beautiful interpretation, Anne!
Thank you! It was so lovely to see your picture x
I would love to send a postcard! As always I love reading what you write. I have always loved herons.
Thank you, Dawn! I would love that. If you email me at illustrateyourweek@gmail.com, I can share the address.
I like thinking about the interruption of your picture by the boats. Like that saying, “We plan, god laughs.” It’s a beautiful photo.
Definitely a best of intentions moment. I like that you pulled that out, Linda. I hope things are going well!
Things are going very well! But I’m absolutely slammed with writing weird things my publisher is asking my co-authors and I to write for publicity and marketing for my upcoming novel. It’s fun and sometimes challenging, but distracting me from writing my next novel, which is really what I want to be doing. I might post an end-of-year piece about it on my ‘stack, if I can free up some time and brain space! I look forward to reading your Sunday posts every weekend. Thank you for all that you put into them. 💜
I'm in Canada, Amy, and we're in the midst of a postal strike. But when it's over, I'd be happy to send you a postcard. How do you privately share your address on this site?
Karen - thank you - and no pressure or rush. There are many months left in this series. If you email me at illustrateyourweek@gmail.com, I am happy to share the address at any point. Thank you for reading! (And I’m sorry about the postal strike!)
I’d like to send you a postcard!
I often think about Sidewalk Oracles. My family also doesn’t understand what I consider “signs” but also I’m just recognizing them as glimmers of joy.
I’ve wanted to check out Amy Tan’s journal. I’m in line at the library for a physical copy. I love her novels and I love that she’s a writer and an artist.
I love the idea that she started learning to draw as an adult, and after becoming a successful artist.
It feels like so long ago that we read Sidewalk Oracles, doesn’t it? It is hard to believe it was in 2024. I had heard about Amy Tan’s birds, but I was really surprised when I opened the book. It’s quite wonderful. Thank you about the postcard comment. If you want to drop me an email at some point, I can share an address. No rush. I know December is a busy time.
The Nothingness is such a frightening prospect. I wholly subscribe to the idea that the artist is first and foremost a person who is taking the time to look. All my life people have commented on my observation, or my uncanny love of a good view or a good window, my farsightedness. It was fun to try to map sidewalk oracles along that love to see. 2-3 things stuck with me after muddling through that book, maybe it wasn’t totally a wash for me. I’d love to mail you postcards Amy, I can’t wait to see what you do with them.
That seems pretty cool to be known for your farsightedness, Lauren. I don’t think Sidewalk Oracles was a wash either. I found it to be a catalyst in some ways — and I remember your observations as you prepared for a life change. I think you have an email address for me (if not, I’ve posted it above). Thank you for offering to share a postcard! And, again, I’m looking forward to seeing how you approach your illustrated journal in the new year.
Herons, and other large water birds, aren't especially rare here either, but I can't help but come to a complete stop and try to photograph one when I see it. Of course I want to send you postcards! If I lived close, I would definitely want to come over for game night. I don't have anyone in house to play with and I miss it.
Definitely agree with having to stop and try to snap a photo of birds like that any time I see one! That seems like a perfectly good test of character, right? Thank you for offering to send a card. I’ll send my email address. With all your new neighbors, I bet a game night could be in the future ;)
I took a photo of a heron along the river today during my run. I've enjoyed Amy Tan's book too!
That sounds like a really good sign on a run, Kelcey! I’m glad to hear you also enjoyed Amy Tan’s book. Thanks for commenting!
I live along the river, so I see them a lot, but this one was in a different spot—or maybe just more visible there because the leaves were gone from the tree. It was cool!
I am fortunate to live in a place where Great Blue Herons are actually quite common, but I never tire of seeing them. When they fly, or call, they are so pterodactyl-ish! We had a nesting pair nearby for awhile, but they chose a site very near an existing Bald Eagle nest. There were a lot of audible squabbles that spring, and the herons eventually moved away.
One book I have suggests that herons are significant as lone hunters who follow their own paths and mostly keep to themselves. But they know how to snatch what they need from their surroundings. Interesting to consider that.
On the other hand, we don't really have ravens here. Just crows. I envy your access to them and appreciate you sharing about them.
A people-free photo in a people-y place is always a hard-won treasure, though I don't dislike your image with the pedal boat (nor the whimsical map of your route and encounters that day).
I wish you clarity and a soft place to rest anytime you need to catch your breath, especially as you find your way through the Nothingness. I wish you may more signs. The postcard story brought me a delighted smile. ☺️
I'm impressed beyond words that you are still trying to capture the morning light. The frame seems just right to me; it fades into the foreground, and I didn't know that was possible.
If you find you have the bandwidth, I think the idea of sketching your mom again is a good one. Will she wear candy cane leggings again? So festive!
The explorations of your thoughts and experiences never fail to touch parts of me that need (re)visiting, Amy. Thank you.
Thank you, Elizabeth, and I apologize for the delay in getting back here to reply. I appreciate your comments - and the way you pick up on things. I like this idea about the herons, too. (I'm surprised by how many readers have frequent herons! I had never seen one until I was an adult and living in CA.)
Thank you for this: " The frame seems just right to me; it fades into the foreground, and I didn't know that was possible." -- YES. That is somehow exactly it, and I really am thrilled that you articulated that as a viewer. You don't just stop and get tripped up by the silhouette.... you look through. Thank you!
Determined to give the Mom drawings a try again. I just asked her if she brought those leggings.... hah! And... yep.
I appreciate you, Elizabeth. Thank you.
See that?! Now I'm the one who has the delayed reply baton. Thanks for the hand-off. 😂 I hope, if nothing more, you capture a photo or drawing of your mom in those festive leggings. Talk about a grid opportunity!
I think sometimes we need to imagine a night heron. And I am glad there was a real one there too. I hope you are having a nice visit with your mom.
Thanks so much, Erin. I like that thought about the imagined one, too. And yes, it is nice to have her here. Hoping your December is peaceful so far.