Happy Women's Month everyone! I celebrate each and every one of you fabulous women and girls! We are often told that we need to be strong or that some of us are too strong. That you must open your mouth and say something and then told we talk to much be quiet and sweet. We are not enough or just to much and so on and so on and I say," Quiet the voices inside and all around that try to tell you who you should be and if you can... JUST BE YOU! Just be calm if you can. Just get a moment for yourself to encourage YOU! Sometimes we are waiting for others to say something positive, uplifting and constructive, but sometimes it has to come from YOU! Some of us are waiting to be loved and discovered and I am going to encourage you to love you and discover awesome, fabulous, lovable you! We sometimes expect so much from us, ourselves and even in a dang pandemic we won't show ourselves or others grace! Yeah, I am on my soap box, but it's because I am feeling so many of you just trying to move through all of this and come out on the other sane and in control. The process is different for all of us, but we are going to make it. I believe that we are going to make it and come through this and be stronger, speak louder, love harder, and celebrate ourselves and each other! Happy Women's Month everyone!! Shine, Shine, Shine!

Sometimes we as adults can crush our children with our negative words and fears. My mom and dad didn't want me to go to art school. Not because I wasn't good at art, but because, "How can a child be what it's never seen before?" They were concerned because how will she take care of herself? Aren't most artist starving ones? They didn't want that for me so they told me more about how it would better serve me to me a nurse or teacher. My grades however said otherwise.

Children often tell us who they want to be early on in life.

We just talk them out of it and sometimes it's out of our own fears of

dreaming big and not seeing it come forth like we had hoped for ourselves. I often wonder what we would say to our kids if some of our hopes and dream did come true like we desired? Would we tell them something different , like... I believe in you kid! You can do this.

Just try your hardest and I will be here for you when you finish! I knew you could! Dream bigger and bigger and run to your destiny. That kind of message can give children hope and the ability to at least try. We as adults first have to give it to ourselves through self love and so many of us lack it. We have to be there for everyone except ourselves me included. Before I start typing this stuff out here I have to deal with it myself. We can't give to others what wasn't given to us. My folks loved me and sister, but nobody ever told them that they believed in them or that they could do whatever they set their minds to do. Thank God my parents had minds of their own and kept it moving. At least I got that! We are not prefect by a long shot, but when you know better I think you want to do better. Start with you. Say something positive about your own fabulous self. Little steps until you leap into something more positive. Oh, by the way this print is for sale. 9x12 museum print signed and numbered limited edition at

$45.00 a copy. You can inbox me at Artworkbymsv@yahoo.com until we set up our store on Etsy and here as well. Until then say something positive and spread joy!

Black History Month is every single day for our family. We celebrate the ones that came before and have gone on. Shirley Chisholm was one of my favorite heroins and it is my joy to recreate her in my own way to celebrate the great treasure and woman she was.

This was done in collage on sketchbook paper. Found old an new papers used to create this image. Try to collage somebody you admire or know!

Have a good one.

 

Well, I know that many of us are ready for this whole year to be over! DONE! Finished and with good reason. I lost so many people to Covid. It's real and it hurts. The Presidential elections and riots and

just so MUCH!! I feel you. I have had some hard days this year. I have cried more this year than in years past. It has been a struggle on some days, I am still here. I see and hear all that is going on and I don't even watch the news. It's so easy to get caught up in negative conversations that don't bring joy or life and I don't have a desire to hear it or do it.

I have made the choice to choose happy. Oh yes, It's a choice. This is a time for me to meditate and be thankful for a few things. That nobody in my house is sick. That we have a roof over our heads. That extended family and friends are doing okay. That my husband has a job because so many people have lost their jobs even my sister, but we are able to support one another. We are blessed. I will not let these circumstances determine whether I smile or laugh and love. I see light

at the end of this tunnel and I choose joy because that is my choice.

I pray that everyone of you are safe and well. I pray that good things come your way and that you get to laugh and smile! I pray that there always be someone there to hug you when you need the most.

I pray for your Peace!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Good Morning Good People!

Thought of the day...What makes you valuable and precious? I ask because sometimes we are looking for others to value who we are and we put less value on ourselves. You are VALUABLE PEOPLE! Unique and special in your own way! Just wanted to let you know that, while I am not God, not prefect, and don't really know you that well and some whom I do know, that I find you valuable and precious. Not precious in the playful cutesy way, but rather like silver and gold. I am grateful for YOU!

Have an awesome day!

Shabbat Shalom

https://youtu.be/j00_y5xj_dU 

Let them know what treasures they are, but first you have to know that you are a treasure. YOU are VALUABLE and PRECIOUS. You are not all the rejection that you have faced. Rejection is often indication that we have out grown a people, relationship, job, or career or mindset. So let it serve you. Reach as high and as far as you need to get your crown and then when gotten, cock that bad boy to the side with a regal smile for you are a treasure for some are silver, but perhaps you..... are.... GOLD.

Peace

Hey Everyone! Hope that you had an awesome weekend! There is so much going on in my studio here in Charlotte, NC! I am working on new books and characters for even more books and teaching online at Storytelleracademy as well as  Arree.com Creative Camp online! Not to even talk about the beautiful Gullah Geechee Nesting Doll! It's a lot, but I wanted to do a post just to let you see what is going on inside my sketchbook. I keep loads of them now. Didn't like to sketch in my sketch book, but I am even learning how important it is to keep them. I need a place that I can just act out and I do that in and through my sketchbooks! Just putting down ideas and thoughts somewhere where I can go back and collect them and work them out even farther is so fabulous!! 

So I want to encourage you as illustrators, or artist, crafters, kids and parents to try to keep a regular sketchbook handy to write down your amazing thoughts, idea's characters and stories! You'll be so happy that you did!

An Interview with Lilla Rogers of Make Art That Sells LIVE!

Hello Good Peoples, Just coming around to share that I will be live with the fabulous Lilla Rogers of www.Makeartthatsells.com Looking forward to this wonderful time with Lilla! She is one amazing agent and artist. You will not be disappointed I am sure. So come check us out on Monday July 20th @ 12:00pm EST Hope to see you there! https://makeartthatsells.com

The Whimsical Sketchbook - Vanessa Brantley Newton

Hey there Stressed out Adult person! This message is for you.

Are you stressed out , tired and frustrated!?!? Well, I ain't saying this

is gonna heal you, but it might. Check out The Whimsical Sketchbook

over at Sketchbookskool.com It will lift your spirits and make you

smile and laugh. Just what you need to relieve some of the stress you

might be feeling. Please check it out!

Thanks

The World told her that she was to black, poor and small to be anything of value and importance, but her mama always told her that she was black gold. That she was rich in spirit, heart and talent. That she mattered and that she was brilliant, valuable and precious. Mama said, that sometimes the most valuable, powerful and amazing things can come from small ones. It is so important to tell our children that they are worth it and that they indeed matter. Peace

This is for the birds

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen read by Oprah Winfrey

Hey Everyone!

What a happy day when Oprah Winfrey reads a book

illustrated by you! Oprah said my name LOL!!

Enjoy!

What are you planting in your children? What seeds are you putting in their little heads? It is seeds of kindness and self love or hate, fear and low esteem. Our children learn so much from us and how we move through the world. We must give them acceptance, good thoughts and empowerment. Hate is taught. We must be careful the message that we plant inside of them. They deserve our best and if we can't give our best we need to be willing to get the help we need so that what we put inside of them will lead them to greatness!

"Race and the Role of Culturally Diverse Children's books"

The Wonderful Dennis Matthew brings us together to talk about Race and Role

of Culturally Diverse Children's Books. Please check it out.

We need more open talks like this.

Just Like Me Reading

Hey Good Parents and Teachers We are living in strange times right now and our children have so many questions. The one I keep getting asked is how to keep kids inspired and entertained in a pandemic? Well here is your chance to help your kid or a kid to blast off into the art realm! I don't have all the wonderful and smart answers for you. I can only share what Ms. V wants to do. I wanna make art with your kids. Yes indeed I do. My heart is to post a few more videos here over the next couple of weeks and months, but I have another special thing to share. I will be a part of Arree Chung's Art Camp over at Storytelleracademy.com Come and check it out. Your kid can learn how to draw, color and make a project right from home over here! Arree is such a wonderful teacher and works well with all ages of children. I will be coming on to teach a awesome class in Sketchbook making and collage! So if you are looking for a camp for your kids this summer I'd suggest you stop on over to Storytelleracademy.com You'll be glad you did.

Children's Book Week May 4-10 2020 Get Your Bookmarks!

Hello Good People! Well, It's Children's Book Week and we are having a ball! Yeah, I know we are all tired of staying inside, but we need to until we get this nasty Covid-19 issue under control. I am thinking of your children and their real need to do something while home. I have done some readings and you can catch them on Instagram just check under Vanessa Brantley Newton and you will find them. I was asked by the CBC along with some other fabulous illustrators to make a book mark. We have create some really fun ones for you children to download and keep. They even come with activities to do as well. Hoping that it will lift your children's spirit and that they would have a moment of fun! Check it out when you have a moment. Please visit Have fun!

Read Together Stay Together

Hello Good Peoples! Today is the day to catch me again on Instagram Live reading 'Just Like Me". My newest book. This is the last time to catch me reading live on line for a while as I have lots of work to finish up. Hope that your children can come to hear today at 3PM EST today on Instagram Live on my page VanessaBrantleyNewton. Would love to see you there. Have a great weekend!