Striving for Improvement With Each New Experience

originalLast year around the same time, my family and I attended the I Madonnari Festival in downtown San Luis Obispo. For those who have no clue what it is, the “I Madonnari Festival”, benefits the Children’s Creative Project, a non-profit arts education organization. If you’ve ever seen those cool 3D scenes, this is where they have a few of those in addition to some various artwork from the young at heart to the i-travel-from-festival-to-festival-to-draw-masterpieces artists. This year Noni was lucky enough to be able to participate by being sponsored by my work and she got to try her hand (literally) at duplicating a work of art. She decided on a painting by Leonid Atremov. This is the original. We actually had to trim the original to be a square in order to fit the square she was provided.

She was definitely nervous and almost changed her mind on her selection but thankfully I didn’t let her change her submission. Being her mother and because I know best, of course, I knew that she was going to do just fine. The two day event took place on Saturday and Sunday with her finishing up her square around noon on Sunday. Here is the final product.

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As with anything in life, I want all of my children to strive to challenge themselves at anything and everything they do. Noni walked away with a great experience and was able to accomplish something that many of her peers have never participated in. I know that as time passes she will improve her artistic skills with each challenge she faces. She made me extremely proud and considering this was her first attempt at chalk drawing, she was truly amazing. Bravo daughter of mine, now if you could only put that effort towards cleaning your closet then my life would shine just as bright as the drawing (maybe).

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His Music Lives On

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Happy Birthday to Michael Jackson who would have been 55 years young today. While it has been nearly four years since his passing his music continues to inspire those both young and old. The nostalgic feelings evoked from hearing even just the beginning of one of his classic songs causes an inexplicable joy that is difficult to replicate. Many of his songs have comforted me in times of joy, moments of sorrow and everything in between. I remember watching in amazement the first time he debuted his moonwalk oh so long ago. While his appearance may have changed over the years, my adoration for such timeless classics has never strayed and my appreciation for his talent is never ending. Although scrutinized and always in the public eye, he had paved the way for many who have followed after him. Others may try but will never compare to his dynamic ability to reinvent himself and remain relevant for future generations. His inspirational lyrics have translated into worldwide causes that could literally be felt the instant he sang.  He will always hold a special place in my heart for what he contributed to music as a performer, as a singer and as an artist.

Happy Birthday MJ.