New Book

New Book
Grandma's Purse

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Diary


It was 1955 and black folks couldn't attend the same events as whites.
Susan wanted her best friend Betty Jane to experience all the fun of the carnival just like
everyone else so she got the workers to closed down the carnival a hour early
just so Betty Jane could come and enjoy a few moments of fun. Betty Jane
would write about this event in her diary and one day share it with her
children.
Hello All, now that I have taken care of crazy ads and done one last piece
for Illustration Friday, I have to now go to work for real. Please have a wonderful
summer my friends. I will be coming around to post illustrations, but not
doing much blogging while I work. I will miss you guys, but I will be back
soon to visit each and everyone of your blogs! I promise.
Have a great week and wonderful summer.
V

58 comments:

bee said...

Awww just gorgeous! What a lovely story :) Love the bright fun colours... and Betty Jane's coat is super cool, I'd wear that hehe!

Kaili Ittensohn said...

So fun and beautiful! I'm happy your busy doing what you love and have such talent for!

Looking forward to seeing the work you will be posting!

xx

Cheryl Lynn Pastor said...

This is so beautiful. I love the story, it's great. I will miss your blogging. I hope to be able to interrupt just a little. I'll try to call you next week. Love you thiiiiiiiiissssss much!

Ces Adorio said...

This is beautiful true and through.

Bella Sinclair said...

Heaven! How do you capture Happy so well? I bet you have jars of moonbeams and stardust in your studio. And unicorns prancing in your backyard. So much innocent joy and whimsy in your images, Miss V. I can't get enough of it! And THIS, this is a heartwarming tale. Sweet Susan. The smile on Betty Jane's face was worth it all, I'm sure.

Monster ads? Ooooh, I must have missed them. If they were as cute as your little monster guy, I wouldn't have minded seeing them.

HEYYYYYY, I'm so excited!!! I'm looking forward to something REEEEEEAAAAL big and exciting in a couple of weeks. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Don't work too hard now, you hear? Take some time, dance around with your little one. Hope you have a very FUN and wonderful summer filled with laughter and good, strong air conditioning!

XOXOXO

SonatasWelt said...

The story is lovely!!! And your illustration is so sweet and colourful!!! Have a nice summer :)
Sonata

rachel awes said...

big love to betty jane & besty heart you!! this is sweet in every way. a beautiful hug to you, with shades of skin touching that only make it more gorgeous, shining, heaven. xoxox

knallbeige said...

beautiful work! Have a wonderful summer too!

salli s. swindell said...

such a fabulously rich + summery illo! wonderful story, too. i just adore your illustration style and character development...always makes me smile.

k.h.whitaker said...

Awesome as always Vee! Have a great and productive summer.

Jane Wilson said...

I love the stories you add to your illos. please come back to blogging soon!!!

Nina Seven N7 said...

hey v - love the new look of your blog, so bright and fresh! and your diary entry - adorable! have a fantastic summer, hope you get lots done!

Eve said...

Very touching story, and the illustration is outstanding. As always :D Missing you V! Have an awesome summer!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I am so behind......
This particualr illustration touches me deeply; DH and I were watching a documentary about the integration of professional baseball and I still choke up at the way this country behaved.
We are all God's children; how could anyone ever think anything less????
Good luck with your work Vanessa---*Da Boyz* send "PEEPS! CLUCKS!" and probably a few seed hulls....not to mention other assorted birdie things.... ;-)

XXOO!!
Anne

Vanilla said...

This is a beautiful illustration and such a sweet story of two best friends. Your art is fantastic!

Amanda Baeza said...

your illustration is so beautiful, I can hear the music of that carnival and her laughs! is a touching story too! have a wonderful summer, Vanessa!

Anonymous said...

Hello! Thanks so much for commenting on my work (nice how I posted it under the wrong IF category, right?!?!) because it led me to see your beautiful illustration work!
What a lovely story...and fun piece of art to accommodate!
I look forward to seeing/hearing more from you on your blog...Have a great summer!

Desiree said...

So delighful!
Happy summer to you too!!!

Cant wait to see more posts from you later! :)

Dear Fireflies said...

Oh, V!!! Aren't best friends the best??? My heart is melting because of your story and your lovely, lovely illustration... You are GOOD at showing the best part of the 'NOTSOGOOD' conditions... (hugsss)

OLDJIMMY said...

So beautiful work! Thanks the story. I'm glad to visit this blog. Have a nice summer.

Lauren Castillo said...

Great piece, Vanessa! Happy working, and enjoy the rest of this hot hot Brooklyn summer!

Lauren Castillo said...

Oops, now I'm second-guessing myself...maybe you do not live in Brooklyn? :)

Megan Coyle said...

What a sweet post :)

Lovely illustration - it feels like summer to me :) And I hope you have a FANTASTIC summer!

Tamara Henderson said...

Wonderful story Vanessa and illustration! You have a great and fun summer! Take Care!

FONT LOVER said...

very cute design ^^! LOL

Francisco Martins said...

Sooooo gorgeous! love it as always V.! :)

Have greatttt great summer as well Vanessa, all the best, and I'll see u around! :)

Hugss

Ana M.F. said...

Great. I love how you share with us the little story behind every illustration...each post is like going into a wonderful world full of colour and beauty.
Have an amazing summer!!

joynevada.com said...

So beautiful! Your drawings and colours are always so great!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

I'd like to say thanks to everyone for you wonderful and sweet comments. Have a fun and safe summer!

Tango Chow said...

hate racial discrimination very very very much...
love your works very very very much

rmsmi said...

A very nice and thoughtful "diary." Fine work as always. Don't stretch yourself too thin but at the same time keep up the great work!

Mónica said...

Hi Vanessa! gorgeous illustration, fun colours in Betty Jane´s coat and scene. Thanks so much for make me smile in these days. Hugs
Have a nice week

Eric Barclay said...

This is wonderful! Really love your color choices.

Trie W. said...

It's wonderful, the color is great and I love the story too.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Beautiful story, beautiful illustration! Have a fabulous summer, my dear!

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Amazing work! I love the characters, colors and whimsical nature of all your work. I'll be checking in all summer (and after) to see what's next!

Andrew Finnie said...

Hello, well you deserve a holiday. Sometimes we can have too much fun and desrve a break. too much fun can be 'too much".

Hey, I love this work. Full of joy and harmony, and the freckles. I used to hate freckles but they are just beautiful, aren't they?

donny* said...

you are so fantastic, vanessa. the story is sad and wonderful. just a brilliant illustration. wish i wasn't so busy and could come by more often. but busy is good, right?

michele said...

Your generous spirit just shines through your art and story telling! I hope little Betty Jane got an extra large serving of cotton candy to share with her good pal Susan! Looking forward to seeing your illustrations- Have a productive summer! :o)

Meridth McKean Gimbel said...

ps. I have files on the artists who inspire me and your file is HUGE. You are amazing V.

Heather said...

So full of life, I just love your characters! I hope you enjoy your summer...don't work too hard!!!
XO
Heather

Tara Holmes said...

Love it, as usual! Oh Dear Vanessa...hopefully your work goes smoothly, that you enjoy the results (I just KNOW you will), and that you take care of you while on your "break" (all work, and no play...not good for V!) ;)
Namaste--
Tara :)

michael robertson said...

how beautiful and heartbreaking...have a great summer, V! now get to work!!

Janine said...

Your illustrations are allways a highlight for me.
Don´t be away for to long ;0)
Have a great summer too my friend
Hugs
Janine

Kay Aker said...

Joyful, ebullient image! Touching story! I so love your stuff!

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

I thank each and everyone of you for you very kind words and thoughts. Thanks so much!!!

AtelierBrigitte said...

Wonderful illo!
Have a great summer and I hope to 'see' you soon!

tea time and roses said...

I love your work! Visiting here always make me smile.:o)

Smiles....

Beverly

Gina said...

Powerful! Thank you for putting that out into the world.

Debra Keirce said...

Beautiful illo! And what a wonderful way you weave history into your work Vanessa.

Tomás Serrano said...

I love your stories about this theme. I´d like you to listen or read longer real stories. I´m sure you have so much to tell.

Tomás Serrano said...

I love your stories about this theme. I´d like you to listen or read longer real stories. I´m sure you have so much to tell.

Julissa Mora said...

Great story and lovely illustration! Your characters are always so animated and love your colors :)

Ann Pilicer said...

What an amazing illo piece! Such a story behind it and how you captured it! the pure joy of her expression! Great job! Have a wonderful fun and happy summer and I will miss your blogging.:(
Smiles! :D

Kaitlyn said...

so very cute!

Anonymous said...

You are very talented and if I were to write a book, you'd be the 1st person I'd contact for illustrations

Vanessa Brantley Newton said...

I want to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by! It's great hearing from such great and talented people like yourselves. Hoping that you all are enjoying your summer! Take care.