Following a thread: Finding Sophie Blackall

Because of a wonderful community of folk, Twitter allows me to follow threads, to wander and explore and find wonders I never knew existed. So today I am inspired to write my first blogpost.

Here's an example of the threading process:

1.  I followed an @brainpickings post 

Maria Popova ‏@brainpicker2h

Instant soul uplift: Sophie Blackall on subversive storytelling, missed connections, and optimism http://j.mp/11GpAKy 

I couldn't resist linking in and although I may have visited this before, a second look with more time revealed more treasure.

2.  I found the Debbie Millman interview with Sophie Blackall https://soundcloud.com/designmatters/design-matters-with-debbie-133  and whilst listening to that (40 minutes), I broke my new rule of single-tasking and flicked back to the brainpickings site to view the Missed Connections pictures while I listened. I guess this might still count as single-tasking because it was on the subject.

The interview delved into how Blackall approaches being an illustrator and I even wrote a few notes I thought key for learner artists (at about 7-9 minutes into the interview).

       To want it desperately, to love it even when you're not that good, even when the pictures suck...to want to go back and make them better...
      Looking at other artists' drawings and to try to figure out what they did, what it is that works or doesn't work... looking and looking and then trying to apply what you see to what you do.
     Being comfortable when you realize the picture in your head often doesn't come out on the page the way you want it to and learning to love the picture on the page.

3. The interview also had a link to a short vimeo http://vimeo.com/36116772 of Sophie at work. Worth a watch.

4.  Finally, I followed a thread to the books Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows which are illustrated by Sophie Blackall. I never knew these existed and they look like something I will need to seek out. The website looks fun too and I especially liked this page and I think children would too. http://www.anniebarrows.com/ivyandbean/ivyandbean/craftsandideas/

Not only did the +Brain Pickings lead me to discovering the wonderful Sophie Blackall and finding out more about how an illustrator might work, but now I have a new thread to follow... Finding Annie Barrows ...

Thank you Twitter community.