Greetings Steemers
Every little kid has big dreams. This was mine......to simply create.
My name is Winfred Jennings, I have written 3 books that are in Kindle Format. One is a poetry book, and 2 are kids books. Nothing has been what I call a success. My goal in life was to be the next Norman Rockwell...the little old man who produced amazing images for The Saturday Evening Post.
For as long as I can remember being creative was a part of my life. I grew up in a small town in Southern Appalachia. Not a lot of money but definitely plenty of love.
As kids our parents would clear out what little furniture we had, throw down some newsprint paper.....and let us draw for hours. There were days I must have stayed in one position for hours.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, surely my heart heard millions of words thru books and magazines. I would look at every detail of illustrations and be drawn away into sweet day dreaming. I think it was the simplicity of being able to escape that captured my heart. Art was my world within a world.
I am from a family of 11 children, and our ages are spread out. If you look at the early photos, I was alway the smallest kid. One sport I loved was baseball and during the hot lazy days of summer it was my other passion.
My escape was drawing or day dreaming. I found I could be a super hero or a silly character that would bring joy. This was during a time where there were not formal art classes in my small school. Anything I learned had to be via repetition and drawing.
There were few families closer than my family, we had a mother who's love and smile could light up the world. She only reached the 7th grade in school, but her mom skills were extraordinary. There was also a measure of natural art skill and writing poety that was beautiful. When she passed away a few years ago. We included some in her obituary program. I somehow have a desire to pass on what she started.....to not let the creativity die.
I was eventually able to go to college and become an Art Major, ....during my years in college I was able to be an "editorial artist" for the school news paper. I did work for a printing company when I got out and had other creative jobs. But I never quite became the "Norman Rockwell" I desired to become.
In fact I laid it all down, no art, no drawing.....nothing. From time to time I would attempt to be creative but when I compared myself to others, I simply gave up. I went for a timespan of 25 plus years and simply did nothing creative.
It was a few years ago I started longing to be more creative. What I did not mention was those same poetry, and creative skills my mother had.....I received in measure. In fact it was her smile when I read to her that was more that enough to encourage me to express thru art.
I am now at a point in life , beyond 50 that the desire to be creative has come full circle. Even if I do not posses the graphic skill of others, I still have ideas that would make Walt Disney dance in delight! There are several books written and in waiting. I need a push from all here at Steemit , who understand that being creative is a way of life.
There are millions of kids who I want to see my silly, funny stuff that makes them dream. Stuff that provides a refuge from the certain pain that is in life. In saying that I have included a video that I intend to turn into a book.
One such book is called "Randolph Possum Christmas Surprise." It is a book that basically replaces Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer with a Possum. It is truly wacky and funny for both adults and kids.
What would happen if Rudolph were unable to make the trip. Who would fill in, and what kind of animals could accomplish the task?
We explore the life of Randolph, an ugly little possum who was used to being ignored and bullied. How he over came the odds, to become the first possum to lead Santa's sled. You will meet all his friend, whom Santa says look like a list from "Southern Possum Living."
If you know the original story of Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer, you will realize that this is "Parody" or "Spoof" at it's best. Please take time to watch the video. If little possums can dream then so can I.....watch, laugh and enjoy.
Thanks Fellow Steemers for opening the door to something I thought I had lost........."creativity"!