THE BEAUTIFUL PAINTING, Self Portrait of a Bear (featured in the photo above), sits in my home and reminds me I'm on the right path. It was a gift and sage painted by the talented, lovely Jade Webber. It arrived on one of those days when doubts were creeping into my writing, halting my progress with questions. The familiar critic was sounding off, deafening in my ears: Sure, you can write a few good scenes, but it's another matter to be able to write a good story and hold a reader's interest to the end. You already failed twice with MORNING SUN. You know that, right? Two completed drafts, and now you're attempting a third. Can you be taken seriously when you're a woman writing in the voice of a boy, son, soldier, and father? Even with your dad's journal and inspiring life to guide you, do you really believe you can save the story you're trying to write? Save yourself from more failures and put away this work of fiction. The Bear—so regal, wise, and calm—had something different to say. On the other side of him was a note from Jade, bringing me back to a place of trust: Think of this bear as a sage or a guide who will provide wise council at need.On that day I placed the Bear on my desk and in front of the computer screen. His presence, embodying the spirit of a sage and friend, encouraged me to write and not worry about getting each sentence in a perfect state. Keep writing. Keep going. For a long time my fingers remained frozen on the keyboard, my eyes staring at the messy page on the screen. The critic, retreating, was still there. The Bear, a steady force, pushed back the doubts with inner calm and strength. My fingers started to move across the keyboard, deleting the unnecessary scenes, connecting letters, forming words. A sentence appeared, then another. This time I did not judge what I had written. I looked up at the Bear and felt the presence of Jade, family, friends, followers, and readers. I listened to their council and kept going, kept writing. Each day I answered the critic. Word by word. I wrote. -Mia * A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and VirtualDavis Daily Digest. May 2012. * * For readers interested in purchasing a limited print edition of Self Portrait of a Bear by Jade Webber, follow us here to Etsy. For more paintings from Jade, join us here at Art to Save Trees. Also visit Jade and her husband, Stephen Lloyd Webber, at their Wellness Immersion Retreats in Italy, Bali and the Caribbean, bringing together creative writers, painters, yoga practitioners, and those interested in sustainability, nature and self-development. These wonderful retreats give you time, space, and structure to work creatively. *
The sun is rising.
The ocean is speaking.
The moon is dreaming.
* THE MOMENTS BEHIND THE PHOTOS ABOVE (sun, ocean, moon, and wind from top to bottom)—Mia at the Shadowcliff in Grand Lake, Colorado for the 13th Annual Lighthouse Writers Retreat in 2010. She steps out to meet the sun. * Stephen Lloyd Webber (Mia's fantastic writing teacher at the Writing Immersion Retreat in Tuscany in 2011 and 2012) shares a breathtaking photo of the ocean near Heaven Hill in Big Sur, California, where he and his wife, Jade Webber, are building a private sanctuary for writers and artists. * At night walking with the moon, dreaming and imagining. * Mia remembers the moment from September 2009. She is on the mountains of Boreas Pass in Colorado, holding a prayer arrow. The wind is whispering. Mia closes her eyes and makes her wishes, trusting all will come to be. ** A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and The Becoming Daily. May 2012. *
 Matt with his classmates at Northwestern. EMBRACING POSSIBILITIES, we reach the last installment of my chat with Matt, Part IV, which includes Matt's featured articles, video assignments, and a special photo slide below. We remember the words of Henry David Thoreau: I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.From here to there, wishing you all the best as you move forward in your endeavors and dreams. Thanks for being here and celebrating Matt's inspiring journey . I hope you will join me again next week on Monday, May 7, 2012, for a special photo post. It will be the first in a series of moments from my writing journey, leading to a new post here each Monday from May through June 2012. There will be a few surprises, including a new scene from my historical fiction in progress, MORNING SUN. -Mia MIA'S CHAT WITH MATT, PART IVWhen you are not studying or working on your next story, interview, or feature, what do you like to do most? Where can your family and friends find you? I think I'm a pretty typical guy in my down time. I like to sit on my butt and watch TV—sports (pretty much everything but soccer), go to sporting events around the city (Dad is Bears, Bulls and Sox season ticket holder). I also love to watch any type of comedy, TV show or movie—Parks and Rec is my favorite show at the moment. I like to go out to the bars with my friends on the weekend and chill with a few cold ones. I also enjoy exploring Chicago with my girlfriend or just staying in and watching a movie with her. I also love to sit down and play piano every now and then. Played for 14 years growing up so I still can remember some of my old songs. Finally, my new goal is to be a journalist who doesn't have to worry about living in a cardboard box, so I've just started investing my money in the stock market. I find it to be pretty intense and exciting.
 Matt reporting. What projects are you currently working on in your pursuit of a full-time career in journalism? I'm covering the housing and neighborhood issues beat. They don't offer a sports program here at Northwestern, so I'll have to settle for becoming a well-rounded journalist for now. But I've still been able to work a little sports into my coverage. I've written stories about Wrigley Field and videotaped a story about Chicago Housing Authority kids hanging out with the Blackhawks. I even got to do a one-on-one interview with Hawks goalie Ray Emery, which was a pretty cool experience. This quarter I am taking Chicago broadcast and am focusing less on print journalism and more on the area I want to go into. A year from today, what would you like to see happen in your life? I really don't have high expectations for coming out. I feel like I'm trying to be more realistic. Getting a job in journalism these days is extremely tough. So I'll be happy with any job as a sports reporter or anchor. I have a friend who I interned with at CBS who is now working in Grand Forks, ND. While North Dakota doesn't sound too glamorous, he tells me he loves going to work every day, and that's all I really want. So if I'm living in Montana next year covering Buffalo pies, I won't be upset. I know I need to start somewhere before I can work my way up to my ultimate goal—which is being a sports anchor in a major market. ARTICLES by Matthew Michaels: * For more articles by Matt, follow us here. Below is also a selection of Matt's video reports, including Man on the Street - Ban Eating (Matt's first video assignment), 2011 Carl Schurz Girls' Basketball Shoot-A-Thon, Job applicants get 'suited' for interviews ( Bridge to Success), and Samson Adams Profile.
* Previous installments of Mia's Chat with Matt:
CONNECTING AND SHARING OUR JOURNEYS, we welcome you to Matt's photo album highlighting moments from his childhood when he had dreams of being a broadcaster and sports journalist to where he is today: following his dreams and surrounding himself with people who believe he can. We celebrate the joys and success that will always come from trying and doing our best.
 Mike Wilbon and Matt Michaels. IF YOU DON'T LOVE IT, don't do it. -Michael Wilbon
Continuing my chat with Matt, we meet another special person, Michael Wilbon, who was in town last year in November for a Northwestern football game. On that same day he volunteered to host a Q&A with 50 students. Matt was one of those students, listening and taking in an inspiring session. Below is a video highlighting moments from the Q&A with Mike Wilbon.
Thanks so much for being here. -Mia
MIA'S CHAT WITH MATT, PART III Last year you met Michael Wilbon, the former sports columnist at The Washington Post, who is now with ESPN. How was it meeting Mr. Wilbon and what do you remember most from that event? Mike Wilbon is one of the most down to earth people I've met. When you see people on TV, you always wonder if they are a completely different person off camera. But that is not the case with Wilbon—what you see is what you get. He was in town for a Northwestern football game and volunteered to host a Q&A with 50 students in the football press box after the game. I was lucky enough to get on the list because I responded to the email invite right away. Anyways, he spent more than two hours answering our questions—everything from Michael Jordan to diversity in the newsroom. He was extremely candid and didn't shy away from any questions. I even worked up the nerve to ask him if the Cubs would win a World Series in his lifetime, and whether or not he thought the Billy Goat curse was real? He just shook his head and said "No chance in hell they win a world series in my lifetime." He went on to say the curse is real and he doesn't think he can suffer much more as a die-hard Cubs fan. He spent a good 10 minutes going on about all of the heartbreak he's experienced, and as a Sox fan, it was fun to hear. The best thing about the entire Q&A—it was his birthday! And instead of going out with his kid and wife right after the game, he took time to take and answer all of our questions and then pose for pictures afterwards. He was an incredible person and it felt like I was just talking to a regular guy—not a celebrity. And that's the kind of person I hope to be one day.
 Matt prepares to meet his dream. AT THE CENTER OF YOUR BEING you have the answer: You know who you are and you know what you want. -Lao-Tzu This week we continue our journey from last week when we met Matt in Part I of my chat with him. In celebrating Matt's courage to follow his dreams to be a broadcaster and sports journalist, we celebrated the part of us that believes no matter how crazy or out-of-reach our dreams seem to be—they are worth the risk (the leap) it takes to give them a chance to soar, and because there's never been a dream that ever failed from trying. In this spirit, we come to Part II of my chat with Matt. Thanks so much for being here. -Mia
MIA'S CHAT WITH MATT, PART IIYou applied to several graduate journalism programs, but your "dream school" was Northwestern University. Tell us about your application process, including the interview you had with Anne Penway, the Director of Graduate Admissions at Northwestern University . What were your fears and expectations? I applied to Maryland, Syracuse, Madison, Illinois and Northwestern. The only ones I really cared about were Maryland, Syracuse and Northwestern. I considered Maryland my #2 choice because it was in DC, one of the professors was Kevin Blackistone from ESPN and it is a top journalism school. So when they were the first ones to accept me, I was ecstatic. I will always remember where I was. Oddly enough I was driving back from Madison with a group of friends when my friend got pulled over for speeding on the highway. But at the moment the cop started walking up, my phone started ringing with a Maryland area code. It didn't feel right to pick up so I let it go to voicemail. I then listened to the message telling me that I had gotten in. It was a tremendous moment of relief and it was at that moment that I realized my dream was becoming a reality. So the mood in the car quickly went from dejection to rejoicing. But in the back of my mind, I still wanted to be a Wildcat. They were the premiere journalism school. If I could get accepted there, then I knew I had a chance of going places. Also, I had grown up rooting for Northwestern University football so I always had a fondness for the campus.  Waiting for the day. Excruciating. Anyways, Northwestern made it clear they wouldn't tell anyone about admittance until March 15, two months after the application was due and my in-person interview. So needless to say, the two month wait was excruciating.
Northwestern was the only school that made me do an in-person interview, so I was a little nervous about that. What was I going to say? I really love journalism but I don't know much about it—Please accept me into this top-notch program? Basically, I just felt under qualified going in.
My interview was with Anne Penway, the Director of Graduate Admissions. She asked me a wide ranging set of questions such as:
- "If I could drop you off from an airplane to anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?"
- "If you could eat dinner with anyone from any time, who would it be and why?"
- "Describe the the most unique person you know in under two minutes."
 The kangaroo didn't destroy the chances. I thought after I told her that I wanted to go to Australia because kangaroos are pretty cool, my chances were over. But apparently, I didn't embarrass myself too much. It was a tough and exhausting interview, but still was a great learning experience. Tell us about the day you learned Northwestern University accepted your application? I was heading down to my car to drive to the gym. I had been anxiously waiting by the phone all day not knowing if I'd find out by phone call or email. My middle brother had me braced for the worst. He told me that he doubted I'd get in and not to be too upset if I didn't because the standards are so high. So when I sat down in the driver's seat and my iPhone lit up with an unknown number from Evanston, my heart started pounding. I knew this was the moment of truth.
 My initial reaction was, "They wouldn't call someone to tell them they were rejected, would they?" Luckily, I was right. I don't remember who called me, but it was a woman from the admissions office who told me I had been accepted. My mouth dropped and I think I let out a girlish "wooo!" on the phone. I probably said thank you 100 times, which the woman got a big kick out of, but she sounded genuinely happy for me.
I immediately called my Dad to tell him the good news. I then spent the rest of the days calling friends and family and soaking it all in. I may or may not have also made a Facebook promise a few months earlier that I would throw a kegger if i got into Northwestern. So I celebrated that evening by following through with my promise (responsibly of course). Just an incredible day and feeling I will never forget.
Mia's email exchange with Matt in celebration on that day—
| ---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mia T. Starr
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 4:24 PM
Subject: CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!
To: Matt Michaels
Matt, I just heard the news. So happy for you! Congratulations :-) ... When are we getting together for lunch to celebrate? -Mia
From: Matt Michaels
Date: Tue, Mar 15, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!
To: Mia T. Starr
Thanks Mia!!! I am on cloud nine right now. I have to thank you for pushing me into this. If it wasn't for people like you, I would have never given it a chance ...
I will be back in town later next week, so maybe we could do lunch sometime then? Looking forward to catching up! Thanks again!!! -Matt
|  Michael Wilbon and Matt Michaels. | * Join us here next week on April 23, 2012 for Part III of Mia's Chat with Matt ~ meeting Michael Wilbon. Or subscribe to receive Part III (and all our Monday posts) via email. If you missed Part I from last week, click here. You'll come away more than inspired. *Thank you for being here and making this corner of the World Wide Web a special one. -Mia |
 Matt aims for his dream. IT WAS THE SUMMER of 2008 when Matt's dad, an attorney, said to him: "You're going to be working with Mia, and she's from Vietnam." Matt didn't say anything at the time, only thinking his dad was trying to find a polite way to warn him I didn't speak much English. Why else tell him I was from a different country, almost making him wonder if I just came off the boat. Matt entered my office with three other interns and soon learned I not only spoke fluent English, but that I loved sports. We immediately connected (despite liking different sports teams). In between our review of voluminous case files, we talked about our dreams. I shared with him that I was working on a novel, and he admitted to studying accounting at school, even though he didn't want to be an accountant. He wanted to go into broadcasting and be a sports journalist. I listened and encouraged (also pressed) Matt to trust and follow his passion. I had seen too many people not giving their dreams a chance, opting for safer paths and being unhappy and restless from it. I said to Matt, "We spend anywhere between 8 to 15 hours a day at work. Don't lose those hours doing something you don't love." "I won't, Mia," Matt said. "Good, because I can't wait to read your sports column one day. And I'm going to be watching you on ESPN talking about the teams I love. How sweet will that be?" Matt laughed, imagining and probably a little horrified by the idea of praising one of my beloved teams against his own.
The summer ended and Matt never returned to the firm to work, only to visit and meet me for lunch. On one of those visits he pledged to not be an accountant. And in the spring of 2011 we met for an extended lunch at Terzo Piano to celebrate the joys that came with following our dreams. Today it is with great pleasure to share with you Matt's journey and courage in following his passion. | | Welcome to Part I of my chat with Matt below. I think you're going come away more than inspired. I know I did.
Thank you, Matt. It's a special day when a friend trusts and follows a dream.
-Mia
MIA'S CHAT WITH MATT, PART I
When did you first become interested in writing and journalism? Do you remember that moment and the first story you wrote?
As a young kid growing up, I had a pretty wild imagination. When I was around 5 or 6 years old, I used to pretend like I was the star quarterback for the Bears, Cy Young winning pitcher for the White Sox and the star shooting guard for the Bulls. I used to take part in imaginary seasons where I would play out entire games in my basement. During these games is where my love for broadcasting and journalism began.
 Little Matt with a wild imagination. For example, I used to simulate all nine innings of a White Sox game by setting up a makeshift diamond in my basement. Instead of merely just playing the game (by myself), I brought it to life by broadcasting each pitch. I made sure my "audience" (which usually consisted of an amused father, grandfather or babysitter) knew each intricate detail of the game, from batting statistics to pitch counts.
To give you an idea of how serious I was about these games, my mom claims that one day I came up from the basement crying. When she asked what was wrong, I told her that my team lost the championship! So the real question is— What kind of kid makes their team lose in an imaginary championship game? I guess I just wanted to make things realistic since I won every other year.
But to go along with journalism and writing specifically, in first or second grade, I created my own sports newspaper. I drew pictures of sporting events with markers in the middle of the page and then wrote columns along the sides.
 Matt graduates. Before pursuing journalism, you were set to start a new job after graduating from University of Illinois as an accountant at Deloitte. What happened? Why did you want to be a journalist? I took the job without ever having any experience in audit, but they offered me a favorable salary and signing bonus, so it was hard to say no. Furthermore, I figured it would give me a better idea of what my major was all about. My internship at Deloitte was exhausting. I usually worked six days a week, from around 8 a.m. to Midnight, or 1 a.m. My work typically involved work on Excel analyzing spread sheets of a company's financial statements. I worked in teams of around four and we worked in windowless rooms of clients' offices. Pretty much, the atmosphere was as boring as it could get. As sad as it might sound, the highlight of my day was leaving the office every evening to pick up dinner for my team.
 Memories of auditing past midnight. But, I really enjoyed the people I worked with. I only have great things to say about my seniors and partners that I worked for. They all treated me incredibly well and were people I enjoyed working with. So when the internship ended, they gave me an offer for a full-time job starting in the Fall of 2012. Since it was March 2010 and I only had one month to accept the offer, I decided to accept it (mainly as a security blanket.)
So I went back to school and had two months to lay around. I lived an incredible lifestyle, woke up each day around 10 a.m., worked out, golfed in the afternoon and then went out with friends in the evening. I was happy as could be—except for the fact that I knew deep down I didn't want to be an accountant.
With all the alone time on my hands, I started thinking about my future. It dawned on me that I was going to graduate in one year with a degree in accounting. Was that really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? I knew the answer was definitively no. But I had no idea what steps to take to change that.
 Matt pledges he will not be a CPA. I only shared with my parents and brothers that I was considering looking into journalism grad school. I felt like it was finally time to take a risk and pursue something I was always passionate about. But I had many concerns: - Is this just a crazy dream?
- Is this something I can actually be successful in?
- I have no journalism experience, how would I even get into grad school?
- What would my friends think?
- Will people respect this decision or think it's a joke?
I would have never been able to make the plunge without constant support from my family and friends. They believed in me and supported me to take a chance. So in order to improve my chances of getting into grad school, I decided to apply to a variety of TV stations in Chicago and Milwaukee for a summer internship in the sports department. Almost everyone ignored me or rejected me, except for one station.
 Matt performing his own sports broadcasts. Kevin Holden, the lead sports anchor at CBS 58 in Milwaukee was intrigued by my story and said he wished he could help me out. However, both of his internship positions for the summer were already full. We talked on the phone and he encouraged me not to give up. He said I could call him anytime with questions. But ultimately, I had nothing. I was preparing myself for another non-eventful summer at my dad's law firm. (haha sorry, Mia!)But right before I was about to start working in June 2011, my phone rang. It was Kevin Holden. He told me one of the interns abruptly quit and that the position was mine if I wanted it. I was in shock—here was the break I was looking for. I took the unpaid internship and as they say, the rest is history. Despite the fact that I didn't know one thing about TV or the journalism business, Kevin Holden and the other sports anchor Evan Fitzgerald taught me everything they could. They let me shoot stand-ups, edit videos, shoot video, interview players and even perform my own sports broadcasts.
 Matt interviewing Prince Fielder. In March I was sitting in a windowless office. In July, I was standing in the Brewers locker room interviewing Prince Fielder. It was unreal. But the highlight of my summer was at the PGA Championship. I got to hang out on the 18th green with the rest of the big wigs in the industry. I was within inches of the world's greatest golfers, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIroy. I still don't believe it really happened. Even though I wasn't paid, it was the greatest experience and summer of my life. It was after that summer that I knew I had to pursue a sports journalism career.* Join us here next week on April 16, 2012 for Part II of Mia's Chat with Matt ~ the Northwestern University application process. Or subscribe to receive Part II (and all our Monday posts) via email. * * A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and The Becoming Daily. April 2012. *
THIS IS YOUR LIFE. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, STOP. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate life is simple. Every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people. We are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is. And share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. SOME OPPORTUNITIES ONLY COME ONCE, SEIZE THEM. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them. So go out and start creating. LIFE IS SHORT. LIVE YOUR DREAM. AND SHARE YOUR PASSION. -Holstee Manifesto SWEET TWEETS
FOLLOWING OUR BLISS. Put something wonderful in the world that wasn't there before. Dare to be your best. Reach beyond your grasp, and surround yourself with people who believe you can. Follow your dreams, they know the way. -Anon
ASPIRING AND INSPIRING through the moments, travels, stories, treasures and dreams. Click on any name and link below and meet our special guests from the last two years: writers, illustrators, animators, photographers, travelers, jewelry designers, budding artists, and possibilitarians. For our special guest posts since 2010, click here. Let's Do. Dream. Believe.  Matthew Michaels OUR NEXT SPECIAL GUEST ~ Matthew Michaels, a graduate of the University of Illinois. He held an accounting degree and a full-time job offer at Deloitte starting in the Fall of 2012. But in his heart he wanted to follow his childhood dream of becoming a broadcaster.
Matt considered looking into journalism grad school, only sharing the idea with his parents and brothers. It was time to take a risk and pursue something he loved. But he had many concerns:
* Is this just a crazy dream? * Is this something I can actually be successful in? * I have no journalism experience, how would I even get into grad school? * What would my friends think? * Will people respect this decision or think it's a joke? Facing his fears and following his dream, Matt changed his career and the course of his life. It is with great honor and joy to share Matt's story with you. We hope you'll join us here each Monday in April 2012 for a special feature, including Mia's chats with Matt. Mark your calendars or subscribe here to receive the posts via email. You will not want to miss this journey with Matt: * from accounting to sports journalism * the Northwestern University application process * meeting Michael Wilbon * from here to there Prepare to be inspired. * A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily. April 2012. *
I WASN'T QUITE SURE about where I was going, only knowing I wanted to create a place to encourage our dreams, give voice to our wishes, and celebrate the joys that will always come from trying. That was two years and eleven days ago on March 15, 2010 when I launched my blog ( my Monday Musings). Since then I have met many wonderful people across the World Wide Web; saw my writing improve by being out there (here) with no safety nets; took flight by trying new things; beat back that small but sometimes persistent voice telling me to stop blogging for all kinds of reasons—real and imagined; listened and learned from my readers, fellow bloggers, and Twitter followers, who inspired me to see and create in new ways. As was the day (Thursday) when I stumbled upon Orie's wonderful blog post: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary. I reached out to Orie and thanked her for sharing her thoughts and celebrating the beauty of an imperfectly perfect life. I also wanted to let her know that her post was my week's surprise inside the orange gift box at Thursday Treasures. In an unexpected moment, I received an email from Orie full of sweetness and generosity. Her note filled me with gratitude. Today reading Orie's email below from 2010, I am inspired all over again. Thank you—readers, budding artists, bloggers, writers, aspiring dreamers, travelers, families, and friends—for being here and making this corner of the World Wide Web a special one. I treasure your presence, your dreams and aspirations, your daring to leap forward and take flight. It is you who makes this place special. Thank you for being part of the journey through the moments, travels, stories, treasures and dreams. From here to there. Let's Do. Dream. Believe. -Mia  SOUL SCRIBBLESan email from OrieSeptember 20, 2010 Hello Mia, I have been away from my computer for short while, and what a lovely surprise upon my return to find your comment of kind words on my blog post and a note from you here in my email as well. As you can see by my posts I am a new blogger and am still learning my way around the blogosphere, and so I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you thought my post would appeal to your readers. Being selected to be part of your 'Thursday Treasure' is encouragement for me to keep writing, to keep practicing courage and "leap fearlessly" towards this new journey. Thank you for this. Your website, ' four days a week', is a very special place that is both intriguing and inspirational. It feels like one of those cabinets with dozens of square drawers; each time you pull one open, there are the most interesting things inside, compelling you to open another drawer and then another, just to see what little treasures you may find. I look forward to come and browse often.
 Having read and enjoyed your post for Monday Musings, I must tell you my favourite part was the paragraph: I left my shoes behind and walked to Mom's garden, her heaven on earth. I stood for a moment and took in the breath of the morning air, my visit home. I dipped my toes into the soil, felt the roots of Mom's passion and love for the things that grow green and vibrant. The imagery and emotions this evokes is lovely; a truly fine piece of writing. Thank you again for visiting my blog and sharing it with your readers. Warm regards, Orie
 HELLO WORLD, my name is Naoko Stoop. I am a Brooklyn, New York based self-taught illustrator. I create childhood images in my loft studio. I’m trying to bring out the five-year old in people through my artwork. Because I believe that is the last moment before children start learning how complicated the world is, and that was when I once stopped drawing. It took me decades to come back to myself. Now? Here I am drawing everyday!
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL—a beautiful book full of delight and wonder is available at Barnes & Noble. Congratulations, Naoko! And thanks so much for sharing your journey and moments here with us. We love your book and look forward to the next one :-) -Mia
OUT OF THE DARKNESS from beneath the stormy skies, a New England photographer Donald Verger barely escaped the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri last year in May. From that harrowing experience, he turned to peace and hope and started The Joplin Art Project, wanting to reach out to the people of Joplin. He created a series of 25,000 postcards featuring inspiring images (shown below in the photo slide). He sent them to the tornado survivors in Joplin, believing in the healing powers of art and caring. | "I do know that there is kind of a gentle power in art and there is a healing power in people caring. I suspect that by offering something to a young person in Joplin or a grandmother in Joplin, people know that there are people in the world thinking about them." -Donald Verger | |
Join us with Don and be part of the hope and help for Joplin: As we remember the children and families of Joplin, we keep our thoughts and prayers with the families who have suffered the recent storms tearing across the states, from the gulf coast to the great lakes. May your strength and courage be the light in the night that brings you a new day—when all that has been destroyed be remade. Many thanks to Don, for sharing his photographs with us, for showing us the gentle power in art and the healing power in people caring. -Mia *For more on Don, continue reading below. For readers receiving this post via email, please click here (then scroll to the middle of the post) to view the photo slide of Don's Peace & Hope postcards. *
DONALD VERGER is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning photographer and Founder and President Emeritus of the world-renowned Children's Discovery Museums and Science Discovery Museum in New England. His visionary work at these discovery museums was featured in two episodes of the PBS television series "Curious George." He has served on numerous boards including Chairperson of UNICEF's New England Advisory Board, along with members Ted Kennedy and Arnold Hiatt, as well as the board of directors for Wheelock College and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. All of Verger's philanthropic work benefits families and children.A member of Society for East End Arts in Portland, Maine, Donald Verger's photography has earned him numerous awards and accolades including: Fryeburg Fair Best in Show 2008, Bangor Flower Show First Prize 2008, and Fort Williams Art Show First Prize 2008. In March of 2010, Verger debuted his 2011 Naturescapes Calendar Series featuring his most cherished and sought after images worldwide. This inaugural, limited edition calendar series celebrates twelve months of nature's glory, from sunrise at Acadia National Park, to the intimate elegance of a single rose. Verger was born in Brooklyn, New York and resides in Falmouth, Maine, just footsteps from the ocean, where he captures the early moments of nature's true splendor. *For Don's full bio, click here. Connect with Don on Twitter, Facebook, and his blog. * *A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and The Becoming Daily. February and March 2012. *
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