I kept detailed diaries from 14 - 17, the angst years. Re-read them all twice through life, and after the 2nd time, ritually burned them in my fireplace.
Now, glimpsing into your graphic memoir, I realize the art that I could have crafted out of some of the juicy details. The conversations, observations, and drama from the me-mind of so many years ago.
Ahh well, impermanence, non attachment....it all ends up in the ether sooner or later.
Thank you so much Angela! When I started the memoir, I thought I didn't have many memories to use, and compared to some I probably didn't. But the more I delved into it, the more the memories appeared. For better or worse... 😅
I would have kept reading if only there was more. I love how the images intensify the written memories. It's hard to explain, but it felt like I was a child while I was reading it. Vividly done BA
Oh wow. What a great post. Love seeing inside your notebook and reading about your process, and how you used some of Linda Barry’s ideas. Thank you for writing!!
Always inspired by you imagery (hello meatgrinder!) and your own simple relatable way of saying things that hits the emotional strings. You inspired me to start up a session with Jill and consider maybe I can have a more artistic life. Maybe this is an over share but whatever. Can't wait to see you or anything you chose to put out when you put it out there.
Thank you Geneva. And yes... you can bring more creativity into your life! And Jill is the perfect person to help with that. Definitely not an "over share". SHARE MORE!
Yummy seems highly inappropriate…but yummy it is! Thanks for sharing your world with us BA. I know, without a doubt, that you enrich my world and validate my years in so many uncanny ways.
The pages you shared feel so personal and specific — I get lost in them in the best way. Also, “don’t forget not to care” is excellent advice: I too go through waves of blissful (and productive!) not caring and get into a rut the moment I decide I “should really do something serious with this.”
YES, it's when the persnickety brain gets in there and starts trying to order you around. Not that you aren't always using your brain, but it seems like some governing body or another gets turned off when you're in the flow.
I was reminded by your graphic novel of how much other people's lives show up in the journals that we write about our own life. For example, I often include in my journals not only what I did but also who I was with, what we talked about, and what they did last week.
This is a fantastic gift to friends who do not journal. You can read back to them something about themselves that happened 20 years ago, which they had forgotten.
True! I went through all my journals a few years ago and was reminded of so many things that would have been lost. Mind you, I then tore up most of my journals, so it'll all be lost again! 😅
Every time I read your newsletter or see what you're working on, I feel like I've had the privilege of glimpsing something meaningful. Really looking forward to this new project.
hi there Betty Ann. As always, I am touched deeply by your post today. Your transparency is much appreciated in this image-managed glazed over world. Brava. Keep going with the graphic memoir. It's alive...
I’m recalling my own memories of your home on McKenzie Street; many centered around the kitchen. I can see your Mom sitting at the table, a bird in a cage chirping away on the sideboard. Your Grama seemed to always be on her feet; asking lots of questions while she worked and responding with her unforgettable laugh.
Being taken back there now by you through these glimpses of your graphic memoir process is evocative. As children the where, how and with whom we lived, just “was”. Looking back at it all now through the lenses of our middle aged eyes is powerful.
Once again your work will be an invitation to connect in a big way to our own stories. Thank you in advance ♥️
I kept detailed diaries from 14 - 17, the angst years. Re-read them all twice through life, and after the 2nd time, ritually burned them in my fireplace.
Now, glimpsing into your graphic memoir, I realize the art that I could have crafted out of some of the juicy details. The conversations, observations, and drama from the me-mind of so many years ago.
Ahh well, impermanence, non attachment....it all ends up in the ether sooner or later.
Love your stuff B.A. Love your stuff.
Thank you so much Angela! When I started the memoir, I thought I didn't have many memories to use, and compared to some I probably didn't. But the more I delved into it, the more the memories appeared. For better or worse... 😅
I would have kept reading if only there was more. I love how the images intensify the written memories. It's hard to explain, but it felt like I was a child while I was reading it. Vividly done BA
Oh I love reading this! Thank you so much Elaine!
Great article, your illustrations and notes are very nice. I love your style!
Oh wow. What a great post. Love seeing inside your notebook and reading about your process, and how you used some of Linda Barry’s ideas. Thank you for writing!!
Totally agree with you, these illustrations are very cute.
Thank you very much!
Always inspired by you imagery (hello meatgrinder!) and your own simple relatable way of saying things that hits the emotional strings. You inspired me to start up a session with Jill and consider maybe I can have a more artistic life. Maybe this is an over share but whatever. Can't wait to see you or anything you chose to put out when you put it out there.
Thank you Geneva. And yes... you can bring more creativity into your life! And Jill is the perfect person to help with that. Definitely not an "over share". SHARE MORE!
Yummy seems highly inappropriate…but yummy it is! Thanks for sharing your world with us BA. I know, without a doubt, that you enrich my world and validate my years in so many uncanny ways.
Wow Kristine, that is so lovely—thank you so much!
The pages you shared feel so personal and specific — I get lost in them in the best way. Also, “don’t forget not to care” is excellent advice: I too go through waves of blissful (and productive!) not caring and get into a rut the moment I decide I “should really do something serious with this.”
YES, it's when the persnickety brain gets in there and starts trying to order you around. Not that you aren't always using your brain, but it seems like some governing body or another gets turned off when you're in the flow.
Your sketchbooks so just so cool to look at BA!!
Thanks Anne! 🤗
I would love to get my hands on a hard copy. Two probably, because I have a friend who would like it too. Amazing stuff B.A.
Three, I'd like one copy for myself, too.
Thank you Andrew! 🙏🙏🙏
I was reminded by your graphic novel of how much other people's lives show up in the journals that we write about our own life. For example, I often include in my journals not only what I did but also who I was with, what we talked about, and what they did last week.
This is a fantastic gift to friends who do not journal. You can read back to them something about themselves that happened 20 years ago, which they had forgotten.
I have similar thoughts on this, I also write down not only what I did but also what my friends said, what we did, and any little things I notice.
True! I went through all my journals a few years ago and was reminded of so many things that would have been lost. Mind you, I then tore up most of my journals, so it'll all be lost again! 😅
Love, as always. Here's to emotional outbursts on sketchbook pages and all the rest!
❤️❤️❤️
Katy's last paragraph is exactly how I feel.
Every time I read your newsletter or see what you're working on, I feel like I've had the privilege of glimpsing something meaningful. Really looking forward to this new project.
Oh my, that means a lot Renée. Thank you.
hi there Betty Ann. As always, I am touched deeply by your post today. Your transparency is much appreciated in this image-managed glazed over world. Brava. Keep going with the graphic memoir. It's alive...
Thank you Sheila! It does feel alive. I was worried for a while there...
I think the ego is so afraid of dormancy. It reads stillness as death.
Well, here's to death then!!
Haha, yes! We can't constantly produce, like a machine...
I’m recalling my own memories of your home on McKenzie Street; many centered around the kitchen. I can see your Mom sitting at the table, a bird in a cage chirping away on the sideboard. Your Grama seemed to always be on her feet; asking lots of questions while she worked and responding with her unforgettable laugh.
Being taken back there now by you through these glimpses of your graphic memoir process is evocative. As children the where, how and with whom we lived, just “was”. Looking back at it all now through the lenses of our middle aged eyes is powerful.
Once again your work will be an invitation to connect in a big way to our own stories. Thank you in advance ♥️
Thank you Katy ❤.
It's true what you say: our worlds were simply what was normal... other people's households were *weird* 😅
I love reading your writing. Always engages me. Illustrations are a bonus.
Thank you so much, that is high praise.
Your take on Barry’s advice is the inspiration I needed today! Thank you!
Wonderful! She's full of good advice...