I've been enjoying my week off social media and have been using the time I gained back to try out some new toys like my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and my Neocolor Watersoluble Crayons. I really fancied mixing wet and dry media and wanted to have a free play around with old watercolours and new tools. The result of that is Blue here and the two beautiful beasts. The painting is based on an old postcard which I have had for years.
SOCIAL MEDIA HOLIDAY
This is a little peace drawing to myself.
A reminder that this is the good feeling I seek.
And a pointer that only I am responsible to give myself that peace.
-
I've been spring cleaning the last few days and while scrubbing away I thought of that calm, content and curious creature I once took for granted - a younger me with a crisp and clear mind. I've let life get so busy in the past that I broke down under the pressure and I am really fine now. Life is busy again which is good in many ways but when you add to that the time spent on screen each day - eyes staring fixed at the bright light, refreshing, updating and taking in an absurd amount of other people's thoughts and lives, jaw and shoulders tensed, forgetting myself, how I sit and breathe - I do wonder " Is this the difference between now and then?"
Don't get me wrong. Social media is fun and has been fundamental to me going freelance. I'm on it right now in order to reach you! It's an awesome tool - but it is just that - a tool. I never decided for it to become an attachment to my mind an body, something that is somehow missing when it's not there. That comfort blanket in quiet moments, the button you press to see if it counts, the thing you reach for without a second though. Do I often do anything in life without deciding to do it? I don't think so! Why is this different?
I think I'm getting careful. In fact I think it is unhealthy and I have a plan. I'm giving myself a week off social media until my birthday next Friday. I'm going to delete all apps from my phone and I'm going "wildish" as for that a forest isn't always needed. When I return I will make a plan on how to use it better and like the wonderful tool it can be!
See you all next week! Wildish Sandra
LEAF
Hello!
My first picture book as author and illustrator was finally delivered to the Flying Eye / Nobrow offices yesterday. It has been a real labour of love and I'm feeling all kinds of emotions handing my baby over to go out into the big wide world.
My story is about a young polar bear who drifts away from home on a melted ice floe and gets stranded in a strange colourful land. The forest & mountain dwelling animals there have never seen a white creature before and declare him a dangerous invader to their homeland. He is spied on but not spoken to and lives his days out alone and in isolation. Out of leaves and foliage he collects daily from the forest he builds himself a beautiful and clever phoenix like flying costume that he desperately practices with so one day he can fly back home to his family. Throughout the the story we see the intelligent crows take his side and finally rescue him from his hopeless situation. He is a pretty courageous, imaginative and brave polar bear that just needs a little support.
Itβs a story about how fear can blind ones sight and about how the kindness shown to a stranger by a few others can change everything. It also touches on prejudice towards refugees in a wider sense and on environmental level points out that the polar bears habitat is compromised.
I LOVE this post by my publisher this morning πΏπ»ππ #Repost Flying Eye Books
γ»γ»γ»
Very special delivery from @sandradieckmann! We π @wetransfer but we also π it when illustrators hand deliver their books, complete with handmade dummy! We can't wait for you all to see it! πΏπππ
γ»γ»γ»