"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at the sun'. W might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground". - Zora Neale Hurston
This word, this quote sent me bouncing - quite literally - in memory, to neighbourhood pogo stick competitions, children all tossing baseballs back and forth, making blades of grass whistle between their thumbs, skipping ropes or trading roller skates while waiting their turn to try and be the one who could stay on the pogo stick and jump the longest. It makes me think: how rich we were, in our choices, our pastimes, the community of children from who we drew our friends, our challenges, our memories. It was this environment, with the memory voices of all our mothers in chorus saying if not quite to 'jump at the sun' then at least: Get outside. And once outside, the sunlight would find us. No ceiling, no walls, the only barriers being custom, courage - and bedtime.
Nice story good Illo...you often seem to make life sound happy/exciting/nostalgic with your words..I remember the blades of grass between thumbs always seemed to blow my ears out from the pressure.
ReplyDeleteLovely ink work. I love that decorative vine on the right side, and nice hatching too. I agree about the words, it's like a prose poem. Nice!
ReplyDeleteWowowowow! I just scrolled through your blog, my mymy! I love your pen and ink! Wonderful. I especially love "Vocal". I should come here often. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me nostalgic for my own childhood. I was blessed with a large family and an understanding mother. My own siblings were my "community of children," and it was wonderfully rich.
ReplyDeleteLove the drawing! One of my favorite sayings (though I don't know who said it first) "Shoot for the moon. If you miss, land amongst the stars."
ReplyDeleteYes!!! Even as a very-grown-up, I always feel so much better when I get to emerge from my cave for a while.
ReplyDeleteThe silhouette effect here really emphasizes the brightness to come in the outside world. Go ahead & make the jump, girl!! :-)
This is very nice. Your story is heart warming and evocative. The silhouette is such a cool idea. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteOh I just adore this!! I just want to go up behind her and say "go on, jump!" well done!
ReplyDeleteFabulous line work and I love the drama of the silhouette! Yes! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteTHanks, everyone! I love it when I lean back in my chair and feel as though I wanted to share a drawing with the whole world. Heather, your "go on, jump!" was in my mind while drawing. Glad it came through.
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