Bringing a Childhood Hero to Life

Sometimes you just need a little extra Monday motivation … am I right?

I've been considering a "Heroes of Childhood" series off and on for a while now. Without anything resembling a game plan, I recently sat down in the studio and just jumped in with one of my faves—E.T.

Though I don't have specific memories of my own (I had just turned two a few weeks before the movie's release), I have heard many a story about the numerous times we had to go to the theater to see it; how I was engrossed in what was going on up on the big screen while slowly sipping on strawberry slushies and gobbling up popcorn. Though there was an exception—the woods scene at the beginning (too scary!). Again, I was two … There also exists photographic evidence of some of the merch, including at least one plush doll and a preschool headshot wearing my E.T. necklace. (btw, is it just me or is an alien head an odd bit of jewelry to own? Between you and me, I wish I still had it …)

I loved E.T. as a kid. The movie has a lot of heart and I will still stop to watch when I come across it on TV. Or if it's been a while, I'll pop in the DVD. E.T. was a long way from home and the rest of his family, looking to find a way to connect and feel safe in a big, troubling (and sometimes scary) world. We can all relate to that once in a while. As an adult, I'm still enamored with his connection and care to other living things. I’m not going to lie—I also geeked out a bit when riding the E.T. Adventure ride at Universal in the early 2000s.

And so Be Good (below) seemed like the logical result of this random act of art. He now hangs above my workspace, quietly motivating me as I step into the next project.

Enjoy!

Be Good, from the Heroes of Childhood series. Mixed media on board, 9”x12”. © 2021 Jen Sheckels

May 20/21 Art Challenge

I recently joined fellow members of the Muddy Creek Artists Guild in a month-long creative challenge for May. 20 artists / 21 (week) days of art created based on a word prompt list. The goal is to do something quick without putting a lot of “thinking” into the mix.

I’ll struggle to keep up with other work going on, but I figured what they hey ... it’ll be fun. And maybe a few new pieces will come out of it.

Speaking of which … Our test prompt for Day 00 was “Intrepid". Here’s my interpretation:

Shine, Pastel on Wallis paper, 5”x5”. © 2021 Jen Sheckels

I’ll be posting the rest as much as possible over on Instagram ≥

"'To be or not to be …'"

2020 has certainly been a year so far … on a lot of different levels.

When everything shut down in March, anxiety and uncertainty were constant companions for many (if not all of us). Many rallied and found new, creative ways of dealing with being cooped up at home. Sparks of creative experimentation, art-making, and the coming together of so many across so many different walks of live was inspiring to witness. But I had such a hard time tapping into anything resembling "creativity" … and felt like I was letting myself down in not finding a way to do so.

But looking back, I realize that instead of creating I've been actively absorbing new input. Stuck at home, you take more note of the little things and find new ways to engage with the world. I've spent a lot of time following and discovering different artists, techniques, and reading across a broad range of topics. I've been spending a lot of time outside, observing so many different things. Which is how I stumbled across this little gem.

Found this leaf pasted to the sidewalk after a rain shower. Appearing or disappearing … I suppose it's all in your point of view.

Where does the sidewalk end and the leaf begin? Is it coming or going? Appearing or disappearing? Perhaps this is a visual metaphor for some of these recent thoughts …

I guess the point of this little post is to do what feels right to you. If you're inspired to create, do it! If you feel drawn to take notes, photos, and screenshots of a million different things to look-up, explore, try for yourself (like me) … do that too. There's no right or wrong in this crazy mixed-up world of 2020. And if like me, you've been simply absorbing all sorts of things that inspire, interest, and make you smile, well, I have no doubt that's going to provide the fuel for whatever's next.