Five Friday Things

May 05, 2023

My next collection of art will be released within the next two months - and those of you here will find out about it first. This is top of mind for me right now, in addition to wrapping up the way-too-many projects I took on for the first half of the year. I’ll share sneak peaks over the coming weeks.
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I’m loving the nostalgic content on social media at all. Much of my work is already very nostalgic, but as we approach summer I’m really thinking of the things that make us reach back into our memories. If you have a favorite memory from this time of year, feel free to drop a comment below.

Thinking a lot about Mr. Jolly’s Sidewalk Market by Laura Jean Allen. It’s out of print, but you can find copies secondhand if you’d like to see the whole thing. The colors, the cobblestones, the awning, the windows! I love it so much.

Very apropos to be the fourth thing I’m thinking of (May the Forth be with you!), but I’ve been thinking a lot about Ralph McQuarrie and the scenery he illustrated for Lucasfilm in 1975. His work was integral and is a testament to how important art is to so many stories. He had the uncanny ability to practice blue sky thinking - many attested to his ability to look at a blank canvas and imagine something out of nothing. The shades of pink, gold, and blue pop out to me here the most.

Reading Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones (not an affiliate link. Check your local library for it first!). As a Jim Henson and Muppets fan I love all things puppetry. And speaking of puppets, I’ve not been able to stop this childhood favorite song from playing in my head, and I think I’m ok with that.

Joy