Saturday, February 11, 2006

Illustration Friday "Simple"

I found this sketch in an old notebook, and posted it here to illustrate my inspiration for this week's concept: "Simple". Today,in Barnes & Noble, as I entered the restroom, I encountered a little girl I guessed to be around 4 or 5 years old, waiting while her mom washed her hands. She greeted me with such an infectious smile, which I gladly returned, it inspired me to record it for my "simple" entry. I remember when my three girls were in grade school, one of their teachers commented to me that they could always count on a big, heart-warming smile from my girls as they passed in the hall. Of course, I took that as a compliment since they must have picked up smiling from me, just as I did from my mother, as a way of connecting with others. It's such a simple thing, but as our culture has become somewhat jaded, paranoid, hurried and disconnected, it's become a rarity on the street...and in the halls. If we all took the time to offer a simple smile as we rush through our lives, to our fellow human beings, what an impact that would have. Call me naive...or call me simple, it works for me.

14 comments:

Misa said...

I love the sketch and the story that goes with it - it's generally the simple things, like smiles, that can really make somebody's day.

incomm said...

Very nice sketch.

HARDWAX said...

Fine,sweet sketch and narrative.

MD said...

Beautiful! I love your drawings!
MD

Lin said...

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, both story and sketch -- heartfelt and kind ... the simple things that MATTER!

Anonymous said...

Very Lovely.
a.

seesue said...

Love LOVE love your old sketch. A smile is a wonderful gift.

Desiree's Designs said...

Beautiful, beautiful, I love how the sketch almost tells a story without you having to say a word.

Anonymous said...

mom, i remember this picture! You truly did teach me to always have a kind smile. The "little ones" that I teach reminded me of your story. The smiles they greet me with each day, is what makes it such a joy to teach. ps. call me @614-394-3883. My cell phone has been "misplaced" allie

Nelly said...

Allie! You made me smile & get all teary-eyed at the same time! I guess maybe I got one thing right, anyway. Love you!

And thanks, everyone for your kind words. Now go pass out your smiles...

Ellen said...

And its so easy to smile! Yet people do find it hard to accomplish! I am also a "Smile Spreader" from wayback. Of course people who know me also know me as being very funny as well. Awesome sketch, thanks for sharing...and thanks for being another smiling face in the crowd.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story, and what a good way to look at life!

Linda said...

I love this sketch and the story. It is sometime small but very important to remember!

carla said...

I agree that smiling is a wonderfully simple way to spread goodwill and create feelings of happiness within. I love this sketch...it makes me smile:>