Welcome back, friends! 

This week I thought about the concept of jumping in with both feet and how I envy those with the ability to do so with reckless abandon. I thought about childhood and the way I would lay on the driveway where I grew up on cool towels still damp from the swimming pool and feel the sun on my  face. I thought about running my hands along the trunk of the magnolia tree and collecting leaves to “cook” with on the driveway with my sisters. We must have made such a mess. I thought of the tile pattern and the spots in the kitchen floor that squeaked when I walked over them. I remembered looking at each of my siblings and noting all the parts of them that looked or acted like me. I thought about eating tangerines from the tree in our back yard. I always thought they were too sour but I ate them anyway. I thought about the front door and sitting on the steps there with my mom playing with her hair. I remembered watching my dad water plants and grow everything seemingly out of nothing. I remembered that when he wasn’t around I’d plant seeds and hope they’d grow like his. I remembered looking at his hands and how small mine felt next to them. I remembered listening to oldies and watching as my big sisters did their hair and put on their lipstick in the mirror and wondering if I’d be like them when I got bigger. I remembered my brother singing to me when I couldn’t sleep. I remembered crickets outside my window when i finally got my own room and stayed up late into the night drawing. Nostalgia is such a tricky thing. What else can make your heart so full and so lost at the same time. Now we’ve all grown and gone our separate ways and day to day and it’s so easy to lose sight of those memories.

This week’s art piece is nostalgic in its own right as well! I was sketching my submission for a local upcoming fan zine dedicated to one of my favorite parts of childhood, Mario Kart! My good friend  Juston McKee is at it again! Submission information can be found Here! Also, keep an eye out for Restless Minds 2 which is an anthology that will focus on imagination! I can’t wait to see how both books turn out. I’ve included a sort of step by step look at my kart krazy submission. I look forward to sharing the final product with you all when its done. 

Music friends: the title refers to a lyric from a song called “Trapeze Swinger” by Iron and Wine. It is available on all music  platforms and is so good. You should probably get it right now if you don’t have it. As always, thank you all for following! And welcome new subscribers! Feel free to say hello or send Art suggestions Here or in the comments! I love hearing from you! Until next Sunday, be well.