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Monday, April 19, 2010

Strange Birdy


Have you ever just felt like you just don't fit in???
I would say I have been different the whole of my little life.
Question is why do we feel the need to fit in anyway???
At 46 year old, I feel the need to be honest and true
to myself. I feel that as illustrators and artist, before we ask
other people's opinions of our work, we need to have our
own opinion. Trying to please everyone and trying to fit in their box
makes me tried and zaps me of all my creative energy.
Sometimes being the strange birdy is what takes you to the next level.
I'm just saying...
Have a wonderful week everyone!!

60 comments:

Dennis Cornetta said...

I absolutely love your style. Great stuff!

Diva Kreszl said...

this is such a great post for today! I have always known I was different and have come to embrace what makes me unique :) I try to instill this in the teens in our youth group at church, they seem to try so hard to fit in at that age instead of enjoying how special they are.

Owl Eng said...

Being a talented artist (like yourself), it is okie to be different and unique! just like all of your artwork including this strange birdy! you're always an inspiration to all of your fans here ;)

rachel awes said...

i love this birdy madly truly.
a morning song for all that makes
you honestly you. x

michele said...

Amen, sister! What wise and inspirational words from this beautiful bird you're releasing to all the square pegs out in Blogland (no names necessary, hee, hee!)- A perfect message for a Monday morning! : )

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I am DEFINITELY the strange birdy, and frequently fluff myself up, just to prove the point that I'm happy as I am!!! (in all my strangeness! LOL!!!)
I am not too ford of *normal*.....hmmmmmm......

XXOO!!
Anne

Tamara Henderson said...

This bird is wonderful!!!! I love all the patterns and swirls in her feathers and the apron is adorable! I always say it's better stand out then to fit because when you fit in you end up being like everyone else. It's great to be different :)! I have a wonderful week too!!!

Kristi Valiant said...

Oh so much fun!

SonatasWelt said...

You're so right, Vanessa!!!
Thank you for these words :)
I love your illustration!!!
Have a wonderful week too!!!
Sonata

linda said...

Your birdie is the cutest...why fit in, right?! Haha, that would be too boring :)

Lauren Castillo said...

AGREED. And those are some cute birds :)

Tara Holmes said...

I just love your work, Vanessa! I'm drawn to your stories, insight, and the multi-dimensional aspect of your drawings--all so rich with meaning, vibrant colors and textures, and fabulous characters. In admiration--Tara :)

Lins Artyblobs said...

What's normal anyway? Love the pinny [apron]. Hope you have a great week too.

Mechelle said...

You know I love birds. Cute birdie!

Ginger*:) said...

Sweet Birdie, you always shine when you are true to yourself.

Lisa M Griffin said...

lovely sentiment... and I LOVE that you are bursting with creativity and individualism. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves to celebrate the beat of our own drum. ;)
Beautiful bird, great colors and as always a fun and inspirational "visit".

ginger bred said...

You're sooooo right Vanessa! I really love your illustration and sentiment... I think it's good to be different and it's nice to hear that I'm not alone with this thought! Happy week! :)

k.h.whitaker said...

So true, Ms. Vanessa! I love your birdies with all the patterns. I'm so glad you embrace your uniqueness, it's what makes you you and your art is as unique as you are!

Krista said...

Oooooo... I do love your kind of strange!!

Heather said...

Vanessa, This was well said! We try so hard to please others by fitting into their mold...Why does it take us so long to figure out, "it's ok to be different," Afterall, that's what makes us artists...being different!

I love the birdies, too!

Great sentiment for today!

Heather

Bella Sinclair said...

All the strange birdies in the house, say YO!

YO!

You have to be true to yourself, and when you do, you have fun with your art. And boy, does it show in your art! This is a pure sugar-coated delight with a huge pile of whipped cream on top. I absolutely adore the polka dotted kid on the end! Mwah, mwah, mwah!

Mónica said...

Hi Vanessa! adorable and cute bird :D ilike very much your style and happyness with all the patterns. Congrats and thanks for make me happy

Asja said...

Your strange birdie is fantastic! Yes, it's important to be true to yourself and live an authentic life, I agree with you. And we are all strange birds in our own way, and that's great!Diversity and uniqueness is what makes this world so wonderful!

Eve said...

I'm glad there's a Vanessa Brantley Newton; unique, creative and favored.

My husband and I laugh at how odd-ballish we both are, funny that we found each other. I think being more ok with my different self has come with my age (38). And trust me, I've earned my years. :D

michael robertson said...

I totally know where you're coming from, V!...i think most artists can relate to this on some level. I realized a long time ago, it's more fun not to fit in! (with age, comes wisdom!)...have a great week, my friend.

Abz said...

strange, but beautiful!

Charmaine D'Silva said...

That's lovely sentiment V...I completely agree with you. As artists we are soo incredibly different and see the world through wonderfully creative eyes. Have an amazing week and speak to you soon..xoxo Char

Shell said...

I have always been a strange bird..or I should say strange Swan.
I like to think what makes me strange to some is what makes me fascinating and unique to others and myself.
Better to be a strange bird than a goose following the crowd.
One day, I love to meet up with you in NYC.

Jane Wilson said...

Ain't it the truth sister?! Thanks for validating my thoughts!

Ann Pilicer said...

Beautifully done! love the linework and color..Great work! :D

Ces Adorio said...

Amen! Amen! That is why I was so sad today!

Lynn Alpert said...

Amen to that sister! I've never felt like I fit in quite right with "normal" folks. But, I've always embraced that and wore the weird bird moniker proudly (hence the name of my blog!) XO!

Cheryl Lynn said...

Boooooy, you sure hit THIS nail on the head, Girlie! I love being the strange bird. It helps me to meet wonderful people like you!

Great post and an inspiration to all us strange birdies flying around out here!

Love you much!

Vanessa said...

Gorgeous design in the tail of your birdy!

And indeed I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes and most times I find that I don't quite fit in but as I've gotten older I've come to accept this as positive element in my character, because often that difference isn't negative and others don't see it as negative (only ourselves under some kind of self defeating assessment)...

Anyways, differences are truly beautiful and shoot it makes life interesting!

P.S. Did you cut your hair? I luv it!!

k.h.whitaker said...

Hi Vanessa, there are a couple of awards for you on my blog, just post the badges if you don't have time to mess with them. They are just to let you know how much I appreciate your support!

michael robertson said...

Vanessa! I would love it if you were close-'cause not only would I love for you to sing me the Flinstone's anniversary song, I would also be able to pick that amazingly twisted and wonderfully creative brain of yours!

salli s. swindell said...

you are RIGHT!!! you put all of your energy into leaving such positive and enthusiastic comments on everyones blogs!!! you are THE best ooh la la lady!

Silke Powers said...

AMEN to that!! I've always been different and that in a family where we all were supposed to strive for "normal." Thank goodness those times are over... Love your art!! Hugs, Silke

Unknown said...

You couldn't have said it any better Vanessa!!! I used to feel that way too...but after a while and years of growing and learning....I do what makes me happy....be true to yourself is what I say....there is no need to fit in....there is a greater need to stand out!!

Hugs
and I love this cute birdy....we have a Robin nest in the umbrella tree right outside our dining room and I just snapped some photos....I will post them later!!!

Hugs
Diana

Janine said...

From one strange bird to another,
YOU ARE SO DAMN RIGHT!!!

Ana M.F. said...

Love it, great colours <3
And yes, you are totally right...sometimes when people say we are doing things bad we are following the right path...It's ok being different otherwise there would not be evolution at all, specially when it comes to art.
Can you imagine everyone doing the same things? It would be so boring...
Have a nice day :D

Don said...

I think everyone feels different and we are!

donny* said...

well i'm guessing by now you know how i love birds and this i'm in love with ... like in a BAM-HOME-RUN sorta way!

Susan said...

Love your birdie Vee - and boy did you say it! I'm still strange and don't fit in - except with all of you - it's amazing how long it takes to be comfortable with yourself sometimes. Thanks so much for being who you are and for all your support - we're all quite a flock eh!?

Bella Sinclair said...

SINGING JELLYFISH! Ooooooooooooooh, I love that thought. And being 99 is a cool thing. She was the smart, sexy Control Agent.

Hope you're doing great, Sweet V! Tweet tweet tweet means I love you!

Tomás Serrano said...

What a absolutely GREAT bird! The top!!!

Unknown said...

Bingo, Zippo, Zappo and the biggest Ditto ever! Go on and preach preacher!

Desiree said...

What a tail!!! Love it!

Francisco Martins said...

Oh V. you inspire me! I've been a strange litle birdie my whole life as well, so I can totally relate to those worlds. You are absolutely right...we get to a point in our lifes when we can no longer pretend to be anything other then what we really are. We spend our lifes afraid of that moment - when people see us for what we are. But when that moment finally comes...it's so releasing..it's like...freadom. You no longer care about what other people may think of you..and from that moment on, you can allways tell who your real friends are. I'm detrmined to live my life by that principle...both in my professional and personal life.
I think that every artist can understand the essence of this post...cuse artistic souls always live in their own personal worls.

This illustration is abslutely gorgeous. it's one of my favorite. :D

Lots of hugs and huge kiss to you!

Dear Fireflies said...

I think I qualify the A-Z signs of not fitting in!

I totally love imperfection, sort of like the story of my life, heehehehe... But hey! That just makes you unique, doesn't it? At least I'd like to think myself as one other than a weirdo! HAHAHAHA... oxx

KLascaris Design Studio said...

Although we may feel different, it's amazing how much we are all the same. And you and I, Vanessa, have lots in common: we're about the same age, and we're illustrators who are married with two cats! Funny enough: I grew up in NJ with a family named Brantley! Anyway, lovely post; LOVE your illustrations and your Spirit.

Laura said...

I love this illo Vanessa and what you say is oh so true - we don't honor our own unique soul when we pretend to be anyone other than ourselves. Fitting in is highly overrated anyway, right?! still thinking about the other day....

Gina said...

Exactly! I NEVER want to be normal, or like everyone else. It's the different that makes us special. Love to you friend.

justdoodleit said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
justdoodleit said...

Strange birdies are the best! They hatch the most wonderful ideas :)

RuAn said...

It spends it all, always can have doubts, of all ways, it the one who no like him the birds by very rare that they are? In the yours case all doubt is groundless, your work and very beautiful. Kisses

Brad said...

whoa i missed this one! absolutely gorgeous! POST MORE! HAHAHA! cheers Vanessa, hope things are well!

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

What an amazing illustration! I love it! And a great post to go with it, too! Ugh, trying to please everyone and fit in is just too exhausting. Being honest and true is so much easier. Thanks for this! : )

Nicky Linzey said...

I can identify with this Vanessa. Just love this strange birdy!

Peter Breese said...

UGH, I tripped over the IF post and landed here... which is great! Wonderful bird and brilliant color use my friend! I can see from here that the IF post is also magnificent! You rock lady!!!