Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Summer-Night Joy












We must have had close to 40 kids at one time on the cul-de-sac where I grew up. Our great joy was playing flashlight tag on hot summer nights.

I've been drawing like a madwoman lately, updating pieces in my portfolio. It's the part that falls through the cracks when the map work is busy, or when I'm working on a book idea, or a promotional mailing... probably every self-employed artist is trying to keep the same boat afloat! One goal for this year was to make just sketching a regular habit. Another internal deadline-- so far I'm keeping up.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh! This so evocative of my own childhood, a really wonderful drawing.

Jennifer Thermes said...

Thanks, Eric! That's nice to hear... it was such a carefree time!

Frank Gardner said...

Carefree is right. I have been thinking back to those hot summer nights myself lately.
Dead end street in upstate N.Y. with lots of kids.
Dare I date myself and say late 60's into the 70's? ouch!
Were those the carefree days, or is it just that kids don't have the same worries and responsibilities as grown ups?
Love the drawing, brought me back in time for a second.

gail said...

Well that sure brings back memories! I love it when an image ca do that. Nice sketch!

gail

Jennifer Thermes said...

Hi Frank-- Well, sure, kids don't have the same worries as adults... but I suspect the times were more carefree, too. At least less programmed, and/or anxious than nowadays... (I know what you mean about "ouch," too... seems like it was yesterday. Hey, upstate NY... nice! I was a Long Island girl. :-)

Thanks, too, Gail-- it is fun to think back to these memories!

Frank Gardner said...

Are these sketches for a new book?
Yes, New York, I am a Poughkeepsie boy. Our summers must have been pretty similar growing up. If you could bottle that up and sell it I would buy a truckload.

Jennifer Thermes said...

Well, funny you should ask-- originally the sketch was just for new samples, but I do have a story idea in mind. Not sure what form it's going to take though. Might try my hand at an early chapter book, but I need to wrap up a few other projects first.

Yes, sounds similar! Gee, and as a kid I thought WE invented flashlight tag. When you figure out how to bottle those days, call me! :-)

Julie said...

It reminds me of a children's book about kids playing Sardines (or hide and seek) as the summer sun goes down. If anyone knows the name of this book , please tell me!
Jennifer--I just today saw the Jan. Westchester magazine. I love your tree of Westchester!

gail said...

Ooo, Julie, I remember that book! I think I loved it as much as my kids did. I remember the feeling of suspense building. I think this is the one. The 1988 publishing date sounds right.

gail
http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Sardines-Beverly-Major/dp/0590411543

Jennifer Thermes said...

Hey Julie and Gail-- I'll have to go find that book now-- I'd never heard of it.

And thanks, Julie-- I haven't seen the "tree" printed yet-- that's the job that nearly killed my eyeballs! I liked the way it turned out though. And now I know the name of every single town in Westchester! :-) Will have to post it...

Julie said...

Yes, that's It! Thanks, Gail!

And Jennifer, you really should post the tree of Westchester.