The Kindness of Others

I have heard people talking about creating with napkins for several years. I've looked at all the local stores for decorative napkins I could use to make some delicious art with. I was surprised that I couldn't find any - well, I couldn't find any that didn't say "Happy Birthday" or "25th Anniversary". Bummed, I had all but given up on creating with napkins.

A couple of weeks ago, while jumping from one artist's site to another, I came across a beautiful blog by Sharon Tomlinson, All Norah'S Art. As soon as I saw the header I knew this was going to be a good blog. I just had no idea how good!

Sharon is an amazing artist. No, I don't mean she's good and you might enjoy her work. I mean she is SO good you need to go check out her site right this minute. I have no doubt you will "oooh" and "aaah" your way through her blog, just like I did.

Her work is beautiful. Breathtaking. It has a wonderful surreal quality to it. The faces and people she draws have a quality about them I can't describe, I only know they draw you in...and won't let you go. Her pieces creep into your mind - without you realizing it -and take up residency. I get lost in her work, studying each line and making up pasts for her creations. Yes, Sharon Tomlinson is that good. I know she has been published in at least Somerset Studio and Cloth Paper Scissors. I'm sure there are probably more, but I don't know about them. And I know she has a fantastic Etsy store, All Norah'S Art.

(I haven't posted pictures of her work because I haven't had a chance to ask her permission. If you haven't gone over there and checked out her work yet, go ahead. I'll wait. Seriously. Well, wait a minute. Once you go over there I have no doubt I'll lose you...so maybe you should wait and finish the post, then go over there. Yeah.)

I need to stop gushing and get on with the point.

So I'm literally gawking at all her wonderfulness, mesmerized by her talent, when something catches my eye. She creates with napkins! Rather, I should say, she uses napkins in her paintings. Adorning many of her incredible paintings are napkin bits. It was like the heavens opened up and...ok, I'm being a little dramatic. It was like, on some cosmic level, I immediately connected with her. Her beautiful work stunned me - and I was floored to find she actually uses napkins. Napkins. Can you believe it?! I emailed her, asking where she would suggest I find napkins similar to what she uses. She mentioned Tuesday Morning - but the only one I know of around here is gone. And without knowing me, she offered to send me some. Wow! I hadn't contacted her so she could send me something, I swear. And holy crown - the napkins she sent are just lovely - a beautiful array of different napkins. Look!
She also sent along a sheet of music that looks like it came from a foreign hymnal. One of our trusty kittens, Noodles, is keeping watch.

(Can you believe how big the kitten is? She and her sister are bigger than Mom now...and are the only two we kept. So I currently have 4 of the 398 kittens I'll need in order to become the creepy, old, lonely cat lady who sits in her rocking chair and drools.)

I'm so inspired. Receiving such a wonderful package from Sharon really got me going. My mind immediately began spinning as soon as I pulled the napkins from the glassine envelope she had carefully enclosed them in. As I ran my fingers over each napkin, thoughts jumped out of my mind. (Good thing I put them back in - I can't afford to lose any thoughts!) I have so many ideas of things I can do with these...and I have Sharon to thank. Not only is she an amazing artist, she is incredibly kind to share her stash with a complete stranger.

Sharon Tomlinson is definitely someone to aspire to be like!