#mcink

Progress...

Im writing this brief blog late at night and the author Geneva Clawson is already asleep. Please forgive the inevitable typos and grammar mistakes. 

Me and Geneva were walking in our local mall recently and it occurred to me that not enough credit is given to the progress that we’ve achieved. Not “we” as in Geneva and myself (Although we will have had finished a children's book in under 6 months with a more-than-full-time job and the constant attention commitment of 3 children... just saying) No, Im talking about the collective we. The WE who have made life what it is today. The we who have advanced technology and given modern day artist the best way to connect and collaborate yet. The we who have developed tools that grant independent creators the ability to make new and exciting things. We are frikin AWESOME! Despite all that I think WE also tend to focus on the negative aspects of life and often forget that there are so many things out there that are good. This is all a round about way of saying I'm choosing to be aware and grateful for the friends, family, tools, technology, skill, and love in my life. Without it all I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I do. 

The Darkling, for me, is more than just a children's book. Its a utilization of the aforementioned progress and a representation of what can be accomplished if you believe you can accomplish it. One of my favorite parts of the illustration process so far is comparing the old thumbnail with the rough pencils for the final page. The progress is symbolic to me of where we started and where we’re heading. A rough doodle lacking detail and composition next to an illustration just awaiting ink and the finishing touches. We started out rough and didn’t know how we were gong to get to our goal and little by little we are asking questions, getting answers and discovering how to create a children's book. Along the way we’re learning, and whats more rewarding is that we have the ability to share everything we learn with a vast community of believers who may be one or two steps behind us. Believers who are making their own progress and using the same tools we are to try, fail, succeed and create.