sketchbook

A Greater Warrior Than I

| Bonnie Kelso

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I was just wondering what to put in the frame when my cat returned proudly from the hunt.

Sending love to you and all the fearless warriors out there,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

Shine on you crazy diamond!

| Bonnie Kelso

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This diamond goddess has been showing up for me lately in a lot of ways. It’s like she wants me to make a wish and I have to say it’s been a little intimidating. I’ve always been really careful about wishes, because I always get what I wish for. It’s just sometimes I get a lot of other stuff along with the wish that I didn’t really want or think about as being part of my wish coming true.

What would you wish for right now? Are you prepared for your wish to come true? What else might be bundled in with the granting of this wish? Do you still wish for it anyway?

“Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!”  – Pink Floyd (Gilmour/Wright/Waters)

Shine on you crazy diamonds!

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

Strength

| Bonnie Kelso

strength

Strength is the tree that can bend in the storm without breaking. This image from my sketchbook and includes an art card featuring the painting “Tiger in a Tropical Storm” by Henri Rousseau. It’s hard to tell if the tiger is frightening or frightened. I like that about the painting. Sometimes we are both in the face of fear when we are trying to summon our own courage.

I wish you the strength of a tree and the courage of a tiger, or the strength of a tiger and the courage of a tree to help you through whatever it may be that is challenging you right now.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

Today Explore Joy

| Bonnie Kelso

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As I painted this in my sketchbook, I was remembering all the amazing places I’ve been. I’m so glad I took that time (before starting a family) to travel the world. I still feel that overwhelming sense of wanderlust from time to time. My trips are shorter now and there is more time in between, but I wouldn’t change any of it for one moment. I’m so grateful for my life.

May you find a way to explore all that brings you joy today.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

Shaman

| Bonnie Kelso

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This collage was inspired by an interview I was watching of Joseph Campbell on Netflix, specifically “The First Storytellers.” As a children’s book writer I often look to Joseph Campbell for guidance. It’s part of my mission to create stories that speak of and from the soul within. The interview is really fascinating as they discuss different cultures and how myth is kept alive through reverent ritualistic practices. There was talk about the role of the shaman being a conduit of spirit through a personal psychological experience. He says that artists are the shamans of the contemporary world. Artists keep the myth and mystery alive in our culture.

I thank you, artists of all forms, for expressing the mystery of the creator that resides within us all.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

The Empress

| Bonnie Kelso

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I love relearning art history through working with these art postcards that I collected back in my twenties from the various museums I visited. This collage features a painting of Silvana Cenni painted in 1922 by Felice Casorati. He was an Italian artist who was part of the Metaphysical Art Movement. This was a precursor to the more widely known Surrealism Movement.

“Since my art is born, so to speak, from within, and never has its source in changing ‘impressions,’ it is quite natural that… static forms, and not fluid images of passion, should be reflected in my works.” – Felice Casorati

I chose to emphasize the metaphysical nature and turn Silvana into the Empress from the Tarot. Behind her shines the modern Emerald City. She is the archetype of nurturing abundance. Nature harmonizing with urban sprawl. Something drew me to this painting a long time ago and today she’s taking on a new life for me.

Wishing you great abundance in all its many forms.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

Life As Art

| Bonnie Kelso

life as art

I’ve been reading the memoir of Madame Le Brun titled, “Souvenirs.” She was a portrait painter to Marie Antoinette during the time of the French Revolution. It’s so interesting to me how some things were considered shocking, like when she painted a woman with her mouth slightly open, God forbid, showing a little tooth. Or, when she painted a woman’s young daughters with short sleeves on. She had to paint a layer of sheer sleeves over top of the flesh to “correct” it. I am reminded of how far we have come and how grateful I am for those before me who dared to think independently.

Elizabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun’s “Self Portrait in a Straw Hat,” is the featured art postcard. You might notice that in the self-portrait, she shows her mouth as ever so  slightly open and a wee bit of tooth is revealed.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

The Milky Way

| Bonnie Kelso

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Today I am brushing up on my Greek Mythology. Soooooo, did you know that the Milky Way was not formed as a result of the Big Bang? It actually went like this:

Heracles was born out of wedlock to a mortal woman who was deceived by the all great and powerful god, Zeus. Since he was half god, mortal breast milk could not satisfy him. Starving to death, his half sister Athena brought him to Zeus’s wife, Hera and she immediately had pity on the poor little baby and nursed him. Apparently it was painful because he was a strong nurser and she pushed him away making some of the milk spray out into the cosmos creating what we call the Milky Way, our galaxy. ♥

The art postcard featured here is “The Formation of The Milky Way,” by the truly amazing Jacopo Tintoretto (1518 – 1594). I can still remember seeing this awesome painting in person. I’ve been going through my stack of art cards and creating collages from them. It’s so cathartic.

May you feed your dreams with Divine nurturing.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.

The Mouse

| Bonnie Kelso

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So, last weekend was that big beautiful full moon in Pisces. Did you feel it? Did you ask for something special to show up in your life? What was revealed to you?

I got a mouse! So, I asked for a spirit guide to come to me to help me along with my children’s books. I wanted to be open to a wide variety of animals so I used Steven Farmers Animal Oracle Deck and guess who popped out of the deck just as I was beginning to shuffle? You got it, MOUSE!

They do have that capacity to surprise! I can think of the many times I’ve seen a mouse and screamed. I’ve always felt bad afterwards because they are so darn cute and usually more afraid of me than I could ever be of them.

But really, what could be a more perfect spirit guide for someone who wants to write children’s books than a little mouse? There are sooooooo many children’s books about mice. I’m thinking of Beatrix Potter’s A Tale of Two Bad Mice, E. B. White’s Stuart Little, Laura Numeroff’s If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, and of course the big daddy, Walt Disney’s Mickey. Then I asked myself, why are mice so prevalent in this genre? Well, I think it’s because children can identify with a mouse. He’s small, cute and pretty much defenseless. He lives in a world dominated by creatures much larger than himself, many of which he depends on for leaving him food (either intentionally or unintentionally). The mouse is someone a child can trust. The mouse speaks quietly and is gentle. The mouse has a way of appearing innocent, even when he is behaving mischievously. Maybe it’s those big round beady eyes that catch the light just so… I think a lot of kids can relate to that quality. I know mine can!

So, immediately I created the image above of a mouse in my sketchbook. She’s all heart, of course. Then the next day I made these sketches. I’ll continue to learn from my new guide as I further explore this mouse energy.

True confession here, I’m going through a bit of an identity shift. I’m realizing that there are parts of my work that are shining more brightly than others. So, as I am adjusting to these realities and embracing my most authentic self, I realize that yes, I may be slipping into a bit of a mouse-type role. My ego is dropping away and my work is moving forward with the support of the Universe. I used to think that being of service to others meant being some sort of guide or teacher to them. But, what I know now is that we are all students of the Universe. What my intention has always been is to help other’s creative light shine. How I do this, well, I’ll leave it to the Universe to guide me. For now, what I know brings me much joy, is creating these books for children.

The mouse also represents omnipresence, because they can be found everywhere. When I read that, it occurred to me that love can also be found everywhere. I think that’s why my mouse has a heart-shaped head. I’ll keep working on her…

I hope you discover the omnipresence of love where ever you may wander.

Love,

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates children’s books that celebrate diversity, creativity, and all the special qualities that make each of us unique. Her book EVER OPEN is now available on Amazon in print and for kindle.

EverOpenCoverTilt

 

Deep in the heart of the Everglades, 26 tiny eggs are beginning to hatch in a giant nest under a tall cypress tree. The fourth alligator to see the light of day is about to embark on a classic hero’s journey. Join Baby D as he explores his world through the innocence and wonder of a natural dreamer. Discover what makes him special while pondering what it might be that makes you special, too.