I need art friends! =)x

Eli

@miriam I hear you. I love dark stuff but have to really be careful what I put in my head. I have not heard of that series but will check it out. I love SO many writers.
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett are favorites of mine. And Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is my favorite book. I'd love to illustrate some images from it when I up my game a bit more. It's full of the most amazing imagery.

burvantill

@Miriam iriam & @Eli I'm glad we have similar mind sets. =)x
I have read Cinder and have the rest of the books in my to do list (Goodreads) but other books got on the way. Heartless, by Meyer, was good. The lead fem character was a bit wishy washy at first. Once she grew a backbone the book was way better. ALL of the other characters were good so that made up for it.
I hear you @Miriam about being more selective after health issues. I am one of the lucky breast cancer statistics and I feel the same way about movies that I watch now. Its just not worth the downer that some movies give you. Give me Pixar any day! Lol!

burvantill

@surfshineart Thanx! I like your art. You look like a fun person. =)x
I love the bear and crab meditating. Too cute!

Miriam

@eli I loved The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman! I'll have to look up the other ones you mentioned.

@burvantill Congratulations--I'm glad you survived & made it through!
I like to use Goodreads, too.
I think I listened to the Lunar Chronicles on audiobook. Heartless was a pretty creative retelling / spin-off. I agree about the main character. That one was different to read, since you know it isn't going to turn out well--and I kept wanting it to anyway--ha, ha! Yes--Pixar movies are awesome!

surfshineart

@burvantill Haha thanks. I live in a surf town in Canada so the illustration was inspired by the beach life here...with a playful take on it Glad you like it. I just checked your instagram- your art is great! And you add a beautiful presence on this forum already. Happy days!

burvantill

@surfshineart Thank You! There are surf towns in Canada?! I saw that you lived in Canada. From your pictures I thought Hawaii at first. I was surprised by your location. I guess we are breaking stereotypes all over. California girls don't all live in sunny L.A. LOL!!! I think we have our roles reversed. I'm in the mountains and your on the ocean. =)x

burvantill

@miriam & @Eli , i just put a hold on the Graveyard Book (audiobook) from my digital library. I can’t tell yet if you two are going to be a bad influence on me. .

Eli

@burvantill Ha! Yes! a terrible influence. You can't go wrong with Neil Gaiman. He is phenomenal.

Miriam

@burvantill The audiobook I listened to had a bonus feature at the end where he shares the inspiration for the story and his experience writing it, so I hope it's the same!

burvantill

@Miriam & @Eli I listened to the Graveyard Book! It did NOT have the extra bit at the end unfortunately. But I did realize that I have read/listened to Gaiman before with Stardust and Ocean at the End of the Lane. I saw the Stardust movie first then heard there was a book, so HAD to get the book. Lol. So I guess I'm a fan and didn't know it. Lol. I love that he reads his own books. After the Graveyard Book I also listened to Odd and the Frost Giants. It was cute. I now have more than five of his books on my holds list. Have you read American Gods yet?

Eli

@burvantill American Gods is EPIC. I've read it a couple of times and it's awesome. I LOVED Ocean at the End of the Lane. Neverwhere and Anansi Boys tie for my favorites, maybe. It has been a while since I read Graveyard Book, but I remember really liking it.

I haven't listened to the books, only read them, but now that I know he reads them himself, I'm going to have to check that out.
Good Omens is also great, co-written with Terry Pratchett (another of my favorite writers).

burvantill

@eli Great! I have the Anansi Boys on my list too. Not Neverwhere though. I'll have to add that. LOL!
He has a great voice. British. I love when brits read to me. hee hee

Whoopidoo

Keep talking you two, I am busily writing down titles here. Also a fan of Gaiman and retold fairytales. Trouble is when he uses multiple illustrators I have to buy duplicate copies of his books. Like both the Chris Riddell and Dave McKean versions. (Love both of them)

Whoopidoo

Both versions of The Graveyard Book that should have said. Early morning here, not awake.

Whoopidoo

Also, can I add Sleeper and the Spindle to your list of ones to look for? It's in the children's section but the illustrations are just stunning and it's definitely Gaiman putting a twist on fairytales

Pam Boutilier

I just wanted to say 'hi' and echo what's been said earlier ... it's never too late!

I am 43 and can empathize.. it's hard, at this age, to make any kind of friends. Especially if you're introverted. My theory is that once you hit 39 your tolerance for people's BS drops precipitously which makes it hard to get past the first stages of meeting new people and making friends (or maybe it's just me :D).

These forums are GREAT! Filled with wonderful, supportive artists. But if you find a way to make art friends in person at our age please do share it!

Also - regarding the book turn this thread has taken, I'll toss out "War of the Flowers" by Tad Williams - it's dystopian fantasy, though his style quite different from Neil Gaiman (who I also love).

Eli

@pam-boutilier I thought it was just me, feeling isolated and finding it hard to make friends. Yes, anyone with tips for finding friends in real life, share them! I agree that your BS tolerance decreases over time, and that is a good thing. But it does get lonely. I will check out that book! Thanks!

Whoopidoo

Guys, guys, guys! I had to come on and share! Guess who is going to watch Neil Gaiman and Chris Ridell give a talk on the latest Gaiman book - Art Matters? MEEEEE! (Anyone near London it's next month hand he mentioned it on his insta account) Excited much? Just a bit! And all ticket holders get a signed copy of the book! I am so excited!

burvantill

The new books have been added to my list .
@Whoopidoo I WISH I was near London. It’s dang hot here in Cali.
@Pam-Boutilier I totally agree on the lower BS tolerance comment.
@Eli If we were close IRL I would have coffee with you .
Same goes for all of you.
I think it’s harder in real life to meet people like you all because I don’t join artsy groups. Getting past the initial meet and greet and on to whether you have something in common is tedious IRL. Lol. I like this way better.

Eli

@whoopidoo So insanely jealous right now!! LOL (and happy for you of course!) Be sure to tell us all about it!!