Author & illustrator—some new stuff I'm doing

[Diana]

For those here who have small children or grandchildren, or nieces, or nephews...

I have created a new website, Peewee Picasso. I have done many books on how to draw, especially for kids. There are a few how-to-draw instructions in my posts, and I will be building content there. The owl on the landing page is a bit more difficult for Peewees, but there is also a ladybug and a mouse which are mush easier.

Peewee Picasso

For those interested in relationships, my boyfriend and I have created this website for higher consciousness in relationships. We are working on the book and will be posting here in the meantime:

Higher Consciousness Couples

[Stranger]

Wonderful work, Diana, on both counts! Thank you for sharing. Going to use the owl one tomorrow.

[Diana]

Wonderful work, Diana, on both counts! Thank you for sharing. Going to use the owl one tomorrow.

Thanks. Are you a teacher?

[Billy]

Is there an age limit for these? Time to draw me some owls and make em all colorfuls.

[Diana]

Is there an age limit for these? Time to draw me some owls and make em all colorfuls.

Of course no limit! In some of the reviews I've gotten on Amazon, parents say they end up using my books themselves.

[Stranger]

Thanks. Are you a teacher?

No, parent

[Unbound]

Have you ever considered ways to combine your artistry with your spirituality? (I mean, art in itself is a spiritual act, but I think you get what I mean...)

[Diana]

Have you ever considered ways to combine your artistry with your spirituality? (I mean, art in itself is a spiritual act, but I think you get what I mean...)

I do. Perhaps not in a way that's obvious. (I am interested in hearing what you might suggest.)

My children's how-to-draw stuff, especially the Peewee Picasso series that I am developing now, includes infusion of appreciation for all life, appreciation for self, responsibility/kindness to self, others, and the planet, joy in overcoming limitations, and more.

My writing—no matter what it is—always carries the undertones of my mindset regarding respect for all life and things, for example, and empowerment of self.

I've been an illustrator so long (I started out as an advertising illustrator but I used to illustrate food, and at a certain point I told my clients that I wasn't going to illustrate meat anymore, and I lost them as a result, which was fine), it is difficult for me to do just art. I was the "artist" all my life growing up, and enjoyed expressing that way especially in pencil, charcoal, and oils. But now when I try to paint or draw, it feels like "work" because of illustrating so long. So writing has become more of a creative outlet for me. Once in a while I get an urge to paint, and I buy canvases or paints and brushes, but don't do it. :/ I still have a 5-foot canvas I had stretched in a moment of inspiration that waned. And I bought a good guitar in the same way—I was inspired to write some songs. I played guitar as a teenager, and now the guitar sits in my den on a stand.

Kinda pathetic, really.

[Unbound]

Have you ever tried just letting your hands draw without direction from your mind?

[Diana]

Have you ever tried just letting your hands draw without direction from your mind?

Yes, in 2 ways.

One way was while getting into a meditative, still mind, state. What came out the times I did that was the same generally: another planet (apparently) with strange buildings and structures and once a portrait of a man with white or blonde hair, but behind him was the same sort of alien landscape/city.

The other way was simply letting my hands move. That way didn't work as well because my mind kept kicking in and saying, this is silly BS. So I didn't have much luck with that way.

Any suggestions? I'm up for trying.