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Monday, October 13, 2008

My Crazy Amigo Time To Craft Creative, Therapeutic Sunday Postcard Art

This week Creative Therapy asked " What novel most impacted your life and why?" Well, as an English teacher and true lover of books, it's difficult to narrow my choice to one book. However, in the spirit of the season, I chose The Wizard of Oz, the very first fantasy novel I ever read. Explanation to follow... (Later)I'm back, after a little interruption I like to call "work."

One afternoon when I was about eight, as I was pillaging the closets andcupboards at my grandparents' house, I discovered a box of my mother's childhood books. Inside were treasures like Maida's Little House, Cherry Ames: Student Nurse, and several editions from the Wizard of Oz series. I devoured the first Wizard book in short order and went on to read about the adventures of Ozma, The Patchwork Girl, Tik-Tok, and Billina, the talking hen. The discovery of these books was like finding my own portal into another world, a world of magic, where trees had souls, children could be kings and queens, and good always triumphed over evil. The fantastic kingdoms of Oz created in me a longing for escape into adventure and enchantment, so I went on to visit Wonderland and Narnia, Green Knowe and Neverland, and later even Camazotz and Shangri La. By reading a fantasy, I could leave the stresses and fears of my own life behind, and travel to the perfect worlds of mermaids and gnome kings and wizards.

As an adult I carried the power of my dreams with me. I discovered that I could weave my own spells to create my world to realize my fantasy. I was able to imagine a family and build the world I wanted my children to have. I taught my children and students about the power of imagination. I taught them to celebrate the specialness of every day and that, with determination and dreams, they could invent their own realities. Because of what fantasy taught me as a child, I taught all my children that their inner visions could become real, that they could be their own heroes, that they could actually open the doors to inhabit the world that they once only imagined.

"Books are a uniquely portable magic." Stephen King

22 comments:

Sandy said...

Wow what an unique card.
Really special. Love them.

Moira said...

Not had a chance to visit for a week or so and I see you have been busy with Halloween preparations. Fantastic Sunday Art card, would you believe my husband's favourite film is the Wizard of Oz and it his his birthday soon, you have inspired me to do something related for him. Also looking down the blog, Pandamonium is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Its gorgeous.

Chris said...

Oh this is soooo cool... I totally love your art and this is fabulous!!
hugs
Chris xx

*jean* said...

I remember reading the Baum books and thinking the were so crazy different from the movie....my 1st lesson in "read the book first, THEN see the movie!!" Love your pumpkin bird...jack-o-raven....or Jack O'Raven!! Can't wait to see what you sisters come up with...eyeballs are a good start!!!!

~*~Patty S said...

Love your pumpkin headed crow, another wonderful piece, such cool colors too!!!

Anita said...

Wow, fantastic card! GREAT!!

Rosie said...

What a wonderful ethos Alberta! I have always loved books and can lose myself for hours in them! Love your doodles and I bet I could get in to see him... *grins*

BTW - in the spirit of fun, your Jester's hat is on the way!! xoxo

Audrey said...

Gorgeous card! Great idea!

Charlie said...

I enjoyed reading about your love of books and fantasy. You must be a wonderful teacher. I agree that the power of your imagination and dreams can become reality. And it's wonderful you are out there teaching this to your children and students.

Gabi MeWi said...

Different, but great!

Carole said...

Fantastic card. :-)

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, love your card, looks really great. Such a funny pumpkin bird.

K said...

well done! great card!

Char said...

Love the too cute bird.

Faye said...

Very creative, Alberta. I love the color combo.

Dawn said...

Alberta - I just love reading your stories of days gone by, I wish I'd had a teacher like you at school! What an amazing outlook to pass on....

Dawn

DMG said...

Thank you, Dawn! I feel very blessed to have discivered a vovcation that is still so rewarding after 26 years.

Mandy Chilvers said...

fabulous work! you are awe unspiring

Jo said...

Fantastic piece of art!! Thanks for joining in with the MTTC challenge :o) Jo x

johanna said...

a wonderful piece!! love that halloween colors!

violette said...

Wow.......you are such an amazing and inspiring teacher! I so wish i had you as a teacher!

Your card is really fun!

Love, violette