When my oldest son was still in college, he mailed me a book called: “Russian Lacquer, Legends and Fairy Tales, Vol. II, by Lucy Maxym. At the time, he was in Russia performing with a musical touring company from the university.
He wrote in the inside cover: “Dear
Mom, I saw these Russian lacquer boxes in Sitka and couldn’t help thinking of
you. Even the smallest boxes are very expensive, so I thought this book was a
real deal, plus in it are over 20 fabulous fairy tales. Notice the similarity
of “The Flying Ship” to the movie Baron Von Munchausen.”
I still enjoy looking at the
paintings. Imagine! Each detailed masterpiece is done on the lid of a black
lacquer box! That fact alone is inspirational. The breathtaking beauty and
precision of these compositions makes you realize the incredible patience that
is required for something as lasting and valuable as a well-thought out
painting.
My son goes on: “Maybe you
could put together a few favorite stories from these and I’ll illustrate them.”
At the time, he was an up and
coming artist, majoring in advertising. I was not yet an artist, but was working
as a freelance writer. Shows you how quickly life and the roles we play change
over time.
Today he is a consultant and science
teacher after being nominated Teacher of the Year by his peers. My son was
right about one thing, I am lifted by these illustrations. I can literally
spend an afternoon examining each scene and reflecting on the stories behind
them.
I am also intimidated by their
detail and the enormous energy that went into each design. It is good to
aspire. We need to spend time viewing the classics and the masters-of-their-craft to see what we can learn from them, but not at the expense of our own
promise.
Some of us are more detail
oriented than others. We each have limitations of one kind or another. But
unless we plant the seeds, the illumination will not germinate. How many
dormant seeds do you have lying beneath the surface? When was the last time you watered them with
the necessary nutrients to help them grow? We need to recognize that practice, time,
and a valiant effort come before success.
- Define your dreams.
- Note your progress no matter how small.
- Compare this year’s work with the last.
- Adjust your attitudes and eliminate negative thinking.
- Construct and re-structure your goals; each month if necessary.
- Look at the big picture. Baby steps are magnified when you see them altogether.
Great post - exquisite images and good advice.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate that, Sharifah! Makes you want to travel, doesn't it?
ReplyDelete