November's sketches
Finding MAGIC within... plus a few lessons I learned in 2024
MAGIC
Sandra’s seen a leprechaun,
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblin’s gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I’ve had to make myself.
— Shel Silverstein
Dearest Friend,
The season of celebrations is here (however you celebrate it…).
We haven’t put up our tree yet; since we live in a small cottage we wait as long as possible so that we don’t feel too hemmed in by baubles, needles and sap. However, last weekend we pulled the Christmas boxes out of our tiny attic storage space and put all the candles, twinkle lights and statues up. Our creche is by the fireplace. Our bookshelves are bedazzled with lights. And our eyes are full of excitement.
I saw this Shel Silverstein poem the other day and it gave me pause for thought.
That last line, “But all the magic I have known, I’ve had to make myself,” felt like a deep truth.
Magic, joy, happiness, excitement… they are all things we have to conjure up within ourselves. If our hearts are open to joyful experiences, then we will naturally find them.
And, when it seems like everyone else is having a magical life (Sandra, Eddie, Laurie… and etc), we forget that they are also conjuring the magic within themselves. We just can’t see the hidden alchemy in their souls, so it looks like the magic is coming to them externally.
It’s not “everyone else’s life is full of magic except mine;” it’s “everyone else is working hard to fill their life with magic, too.”
So, in this holiday season, I hope you can find joy (magic) around you and within you. Sometimes the smallest things spark the greatest moments of wonder.
May your pencils always be sharp,
Jane
P.S. Please click the heart on this email, or share it with a friend! A little magic can go a long way!
November Sketches!
I draw while my daughter dances.
Saturday mornings we often go to the cafe with our books.
I’m painting each full moon of 2024. This was my second last one!
Bonus moon: just because it was so beautiful.
I’m playing with 24k gold leaf in my sketchbook, but it is really hard to photograph the sparkle. That feels like a metaphor for life. Sparkle is elusive!
A few lessons I’ve learned in 2024 (in no particular order…)
Swimming is therapy; playing piano is soul nourishment; running is freedom.
When I neglect self-care, everyone around me suffers as well, because I can’t give my best to myself or anyone else.
Sometimes big changes are necessary in order to move forward, but in the midst of the big change the unknown can feel overwhelming.
I completely deleted all social media (I no longer even have accounts) and I never missed it even once. So long Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Threads, Pinterest, etc. If I could get rid of WhatsApp, I would, but then I’d never get school updates!
Coming up in the next few newsletters! Stay tuned!
All the full moons of 2024… plus a few bonus moon paintings. There’s one full moon left to paint!
Paintings of all the sunsets and/or sunrises on the solstices and equinoxes of 2024. I still have to paint the December solstice.
A list of all the books I read in 2024. (it’s a lot!)
Also, my thoughts on the phrase “we can do hard things.” You don’t want to miss this one… It’s time to the flip the narrative on toxic productivity.
Frequently asked questions about my daily drawing habit. I’ll answer them all in detail! REPLY to this email to ask a few questions!
If you’re in the Southern Manitoba area!
You can find signed copies of Magic at the Museum at Collecta in Clearspring mall. Across from Sobeys. Just in time for Christmas shopping!
If you’re not in the Southern Manitoba area… you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful corners of the world. But keep it to yourself, we don't want everyone rushing there all at once… :-)
And… if you’re not in the Southern Manitoba area, and want a copy, head over to order one from my website! http://www.janeheinrichs.net/shop/magic-at-the-museum
Thank you for sharing your sketches. They inspire me to get drawing!
Great job! Your visual journal sketches are amazing!