About two months ago, I gave my Writing students a 30-day challenge. They were assigned to try something new and keep a daily journal (in English) about their learning process. To encourage them further, I told them I would join the challenge, only I would write my entries in Indonesian.
The challenge I designed for myself was to draw a human being in motion. This turned out to be more difficult than expected, since my patience with drawing is severely limited, and also since, inevitably, I became more focused on the result of my challenge than on the process of learning. What resulted was a comic about my struggle to understand the beauty of Java through patience, but what I ended up illustrating was —
through my rushed pen marks and misplaced shadows — what more I have to learn.
“From one Womb to Another” by Julie Gaynes
Damn.
Where am I?
“Hellooooo, Young Lady.
ALL ALONE??”
“Why is it so dark in here?”
“Because you don’t yet know how to see.”
“I don’t understand. Why are my hands still empty?”
“YOU have to learn to have patience.
Here, have some rice.”
“Here, the most important thing is to relax.”
“Relax and have patience.”
“Don’t worry.
Everything will be alright.”
Julie, this is absolutely charming. Your visuals are fantastic–you look just like you!–and you make Indonesia seem so welcoming and beautiful.
Can’t wait to see it for myself.
Julie: I agree with mom. Beautifully crafted… but ultimate test of patience still remains: spending two weeks with Laurenzo, Curly-haired lady and Fat Buddha Daddy. Now, pass the rice and point me towards the nearest Mickey D’s. Love, Schmidget Dad
Wow, very cool. Looks like you captured motion pretty well to me!