Always Had the Power

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Sue Shanahan

You’ve Always Had it My Dear. You’ve Always Had the Power. –Glinda the Good Witch

In 2000, I was lucky enough to sell the original painting from the above image to Oprah Winfrey. A series of small miracles brought the piece to her attention. After she purchased it, an even bigger miracle occurred. I was invited to be on her Favorite Things show. I was thrilled with the prospect of what her spotlight on my illustration could bring. Looking for approval of my artwork from the world had become a pattern with me.

It turned out the message in my painting was not only for Oprah. Although I was unable to grasp it at the time, it was also meant for me. Of course, I understood why Oprah took so much significance from Glinda the Good Witch’s words, “You’ve always had the power.” She had just won a defamation suit filed against her by Texas beef producers. It took many years and reading Jean Houston’s The Wizard of Us before it dawned on me that I hadn’t been honoring my own power. I recognized myself in the Scarecrow’s search for brains. I was also waiting for the world to tell me what to do. The Tin Man asking the Wizard of Oz for a heart was no different than me not acknowledging and trusting my own. The lion’s quest for courage was his belief that he didn’t have what it took to be king of the forest. Didn’t that parallel my belief that my art couldn’t stand on its own? What I learned from Dorothy was the most meaningful. The power to realize one’s heart’s desire lies within.

Creating art is revealing one’s soul to the world. Unconsciously I believed if my gift wasn’t celebrated, I had no value. Seeking validation from the outside is like trying to fill a cup with a hole in it.

All my striving to make it as an artist has brought me to this realization. Yes, it’s scary to be exposed, but who I am is enough. My art is enough. The light that burns inside of me is enough.

The image of Oprah that I based my portrait on.

Not many people know that Dorothy’s shoes were silver. In the movie they were transformed into the ruby slippers because they looked better In Technicolor.

Not many people know that in L. Frank Baum’s book the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s shoes were silver. In the movie they were transformed into ruby slippers because they looked better In Technicolor.

In my painting I tried to remain faithful to L.Frank Baum’s description of Glinda the Good Witch.

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Gently the Snowflakes Fall…

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Sue Shanahan

Gently the Snowflakes Fall as if by Magic

When I am willing to step into the realm of uncertainty and ambiguity I open myself up to infinite possibilities. – Anita Moorjani

Make plans but be loose with them. Inflexibility can block wonder from unfolding. Be willing to be surprised.

The story behind the making of the above painting illustrates this perfectly. The two little fairies are my nieces Madi and Emma. Originally, I hadn’t planned on the younger one being in the picture. At her age, I didn’t think there was any way Emma would cooperate. While photographing Madi, to her mother’s dismay, Emma jumped in to have some fun with her big sister’s skirt. Luckily, I had my camera in hand to freeze that fleeting moment. Seriously, there is no way I could have orchestrated that event. By staying out of my own way and signaling for their mother to let Emma be, I was able to capture a twinkling of joy. In my world, it doesn’t get better than that.

Trust the flow. It’s the same wave that transports snowflakes dreamily to the ground. Airy, yet with purpose. Even if a gust of wind blows them off course, they still sparkle where they land.

Emma being Emma.

Madi practicing her bubble blowing skills.

Emma and Madi.

There’s Magic in the Air

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Sue Shanahan

Ring out the old, ring in the new. Ring out the false, ring in the true.

-From Ding Dong, Ding Dong by George Harrison courtesy of Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Yes, there is magic in the air. And hope. And possibility. Gone is the era of trying to fit into a box. 2013 is the year to celebrate our differences and revel in them. Like snowflakes, no two of us are alike. In our individuality resides the gifts we were born to express.

In grade school each one of my children put a lot of thought into what they wanted to be when they grew up. I urged them to figure out what they loved to do and simply point themselves in that direction. No need to have a concrete plan because their life’s work may not have even been invented yet. That has certainly proved true in my life. Always a visual artist, I had no idea my art would expand to the written word posted on a blog one day. Come to think of it, as a kid, the whole concept of a blogs and computers would have seemed like science fiction to me. Exploring what I loved to do led me through doors I could have never imagined.

In the freshness of the new year, blanketed by hope, enjoy the wonder of your dreams. They arise from the unique beauty that lies within. Embrace your quirks and foibles too. They just may be the oomph needed to bring those dreams to fruition.

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Sue Shanahan

I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. -W. B. Yeats

Back in 2001, I took what felt like a huge risk. I sent a dummy of a children’s picture book that I’d written and illustrated to Maria Shriver. She was aware of my children’s illustrations and especially liked a portrait I had created for her friend Oprah Winfrey. Still, in all honesty, I felt beneath her. She was accomplished in every area of her life, including writing children’s books. At that time, I was struggling to find my voice as a writer and infuse life into my illustrations.

I’m sure Maria has no idea the gift that was wrapped in her response to me. Although she admitted she usually didn’t look at books that were about to be published, she made an exception with mine. She was thoughtful enough to read it with one of her little girls who loved fairy stories. In her letter to me, Maria shared her daughter’s insights about the book. Although I had a publisher interested in it at the time, I decided to switch gears and rewrite the story. Recreating all the art and implementing her daughter’s suggestions into the book was a huge task. Looking back, I am so glad I did it. Her daughter’s ideas were the beginnings of bringing my book to life.

Through the years and a few more revisions I stand on the threshold of Glory in the Morning being published. Maria’s kindness not only changed the direction of the book but it changed the trajectory of my life. She took the time to see me and believe in me and helped me to know that my dreams mattered. Her validation gave me the realization that there’s a place in the world for me and my gifts.

Glory in the Morning is now the subject of a Kickstarter campaign that ends Nov. 5th.Preliminary sketch for Glory in the Morning. Soon There Will Be No Me to Believe in from Glory in the Morning.My little fairy in the flesh.Page from Maria Shriver’s letter.

Why Worry?

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Sue Shanahan

“Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor.” – Rumi

I’ve spent a good amount of my time on Earth fretting. A defense developed in childhood, worry was my talisman, my rabbit’s foot. I believed it kept me safe. The burden of that mindset eventually lead me to search for a better way.

I’ve heard it said that fear indicates a lack of love in a person’s life. Could that be true? Believing that there is a loving Being who has our best interests at heart would certainly assuage the panic with which I’ve lived. I have begun to consider how life would work if a God who delighted in us were truly in charge.

*Everything would happen with perfect timing.

*Everything would appear exactly when it was needed.

*Inside each problem would be a lesson that’s a gift to spur personal growth.

*Following one’s heart would be the same as following God’s guidance.

*Letting go of how to materialize our goals would leave room for God to outdream us.

Instead of being comfortable with worry, I am learning to be comfortable with trust, trust in God. When I’m in that state, everything works itself out, often miraculously so. I’m finding out that there is no need to orchestrate life. All is well. The evidence of that can be found in the blessings that surround us all. There is a place for everything, and everything is in its place.

I met my models Riley, and Nick on a walk with my dog.

My nephew’s puppy’s ears make him look ready to take flight.

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There Is Nothing Better Than Being Yourself

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Sue Shanahan

“Allow your body to be exactly what it’s naturally supposed to be, and embrace it.”

-Portia de Rossi from The Conversation on Lifetime TVThere Is Nothing Better Than Being Yourself

When my daughter Bridget began going to Junior High it became achingly apparent that she had entered the world of “looksism.” How she looked on the outside was now more important than her beautiful mind and gorgeous heart. My reaction to her new way of moving through the world was to illustrate the above poster. Who decides what beautiful is anyway?

I like to think my art was the beginning of Bridget’s questioning and rejecting what the media was thrusting upon her. Today she is all grown up and secure in who she is – inside and out. She works in television as an anchor/reporter and it’s a joy to watch her confidently share her gift with the world. I want all girls to feel like that. 🙂

* What makes us beautiful? If you have a moment share your thoughts.*Bridget helping my little dancers get ready for the photo shoot.Molly, Amy, Ali and Malina, in all their glory.A pensive Molly. I love the soulfulness in her eyes. Mo is my niece and a lovely young actress now. Soon she will be off to LA to pursue her dreams.In this shot Malina is sweetness personified

Every Child Is Like a Flower

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Sue Shanahan

Once when I was feeling less than pretty, it occurred to me, “Who told you that you aren’t beautiful?” I began to wonder, what if our differences actually are a gift? What if what’s unique about us is what makes us beautiful? When we let go of our preconceived notions, we’re free to enjoy our individuality. I am thrilled with the trend of using children with disabilities in ads. I love that the world is waking up to the truth that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors.

The illustration above is based on a photo I snapped of a friend’s daughter, Clare. Her mother needed her photographed for a calender featuring children with Down Syndrome. After adjusting the layers of netting on Clare’s party dress, I saw a longing in her mother’s eyes. Maura had the same yearning every mother has for their child. She wanted her little girl’s beauty to be appreciated. I, in turn, was smitten with Clare. Looking at the photographs from the session, compelled me to design an illustration around her. Yes, being beautiful is no longer for the chosen few.