Catch a glimpse of art by up-and-coming artists trying out their wings, as well as news about upcoming events, various art-related projects, and more.
“Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist
once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
Sun by Taylor (age 8)
There’s a lot to be learned from children when it comes to being creative. For one thing, they tend to have a limitless imagination. Anything is possible.
It’s only as we get older and we learn about that thing called “reality” that we become, more and more, aware of concepts like absurdity and impossibility. What a drag!
My goddaughter and her little sister (now 12 and 10 years old) have much more talent when it comes to drawing, painting, or any other form of visual art than I do (except perhaps photography, but give them time). The images on this page are just a few examples of the work they’ve done (freehand, I might add).
Each time I visit them, each time I see what they’ve been working on, I get even more inspired to create – to work on my novels and picture books and poetry.
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael,
but a lifetime to paint like a child.” – Pablo Picasso
There’s no doubt, being an artist as an adult can be a challenge. There is often a great deal of external (and internal) pressure to put aside the paint brush or the dance shoes or the pen in the pursuit of practical things. After all, it’s the rare artist who makes a living doing the thing he loves. Of course, you know what artist doesn’t have a chance of make a living doing the thing he loves? The one who gives up doing that thing.
Elephant by Kylie (age 10)
That’s part of the battle, really, allowing ourselves permission to keep after it, even if only on the side. It’s also one of the things I’m hoping Other cool Birds will inspire you to do. Give that passion that filled you as a child wings and give it time each day to stretch its wings and touch the sky, even if only for fifteen minutes.
Give that part of yourself a chance to soar.
Emile Zola stated: “If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.”
That’s what I do with my words. That’s what the artists on this website do with their work (whether it’s a painting or illustration, a poem or a book).
They live out loud through their art.
And I hope you do too!
More by Taylor & Kylie
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