161 Comments
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Carol Shamon's avatar

You got the essence, a smile, and this appreciative audience. What more could one want?

Abigail Thomas's avatar

That is all I could hope for, thank you vey much. Now I'm smiling.

Peggy Acott's avatar

I dunno. These “feel” very much like elephants to me, and I think it’s wonderful how you just jump in with both feet and please yourself

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you! I have no choice but to jump in with both feet because I don't know how to draw but I love to do it anyway. It is also very relaxing to know that without talent I don't have to try to improve, I can just enjoy myself.

Taru Fisher's avatar

I’ve been wanting to try doing some drawing as well, and as messily as I can. My perfectionism used to stop me, now I’m nearing 84, I finally ditched it.

Linda S Clare's avatar

Wow, Abigail, that is one cool drawing of a very cool trio. This free advice is from a pro artist (with an actual art degree and a fondness for art and elephants). If anyone says you should stop trying to draw, you just go right ahead and sharpie them in with black or dark blue. I love your work. When I was a public school 1-5 grade art teachcer, the 1st graders drew big, bold wonderful stuff. By fifth grade, the drawings tended to be small, cramped and generic, as if someone told them they couldn't draw. So sad. Love you, Linda Clare at The Deep End

Abigail Thomas's avatar

I know, that is so terrible. And then they get self-conscious and afraid. Awful, just awful.

Thank you for liking my elephants.

Linda S Clare's avatar

I could tell right away that they were pachyderms and not penises. Although, if you squint. . .

Abigail Thomas's avatar

If you squint, everything is a penis.

joke. everything is not a penis.

Heidi Selig's avatar

This writing is so delicious and moving to me a recovering illustrator/perfectionist who stopped drawing altogether after a delightful review of my work in the New York Times review of Books my mother slammed. I began writing instead years later, but missed art loads. Your thoughts about elephants, my favorite creatures are so lovely and funny and about pleasing only yourself made my morning. And the heffalumps you've shown are perfect.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

The heffalumps! That's an old one. Thank you. Don't you feel an urge to draw again from time to time? Give in to it, maybe.

CAROLYN DICKEY's avatar

so glad to be reminded of the heffalumps, thanks!!!

Susan K's avatar

I love your elephants!!! You said it right - they capture the ESSENCE of elephant. I’d have known that even if you hadn’t told me. They’re outrageously creative! Also, I don’t as worried about you because you hadn’t posted in weeks - so happy to know you were just busy drawing elephants.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you. I was a little reluctant to post this, but it had been a long time and so I took a deep breath, held my nose, and pushed send. Thank you for saying such nice things. It was a lot of fun to do, and lovely to read your commnets.

Susan K's avatar

I would frame that drawing if I were you….There’s a glaring typo in my comment because autocorrect is faster than I am. I meant to say “I was worried,” not “I don’t as worried “…

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, I figured that out. So nice of you.

GINNY ROWAN's avatar

But hey, if I can make myself happy for even the little list of time, I’d be a fool not to try. I AGREE

Wendy Varley's avatar

Just start, and please yourself, is the best message. And you really have captured the spirit of elephants.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Wendy. Thank you twice.

Cherry Coombe's avatar

agree!

Lori Boren's avatar

And this, Abby, is why I love you, and consider you my greatest teacher.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Lori, that's high praise. Thank you.

Lori Boren's avatar

Not given lightly.

Kathy Napoli's avatar

I like your elephants! And it put a happy face upon my face! Elephants are among my favorite large mammal animals because I’m starting to identify with their skin the older I get!

Abigail Thomas's avatar

I didn't know how to draw draw all the wrinkles on their trunks! And everywhere else.They do have more than their fair share, but there is no doubt some very good evolutionary reason for it. You are very funny, Kathy. And thank you.

CAROLYN DICKEY's avatar

Your elephants are very solid, good substansal elephants. I like them, I too love elephants. It all began many years ago and not so very far away, I met Babar. The affair continues. Thank you for shareing these stalwart beings with us, hoping for some more,.... soon.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Babar, me too, always will love him. I will try to get my daughter to take phooto of my flowers, they are actually quite nice. I make fish swimming through them, because why not? I ove making fish. And what do we know? Thank you, Carolyn. You ARE an artist.

CAROLYN DICKEY's avatar

Thank you Abby.

Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

Babar! Love him - those little eyes!

Meredith's avatar

I LOVE them!! I can see them as block prints on natural fabric …. Terrific. Good for you, no drawing lessons, nomadvice - yes. I just love you - I don’t know you- but I just love you! :)

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you! Such a lovely thing to say.

Susan OBrien's avatar

It’s all wonderful, Abby—you, your artwork, your subject matter and two tremendous lines. One about your falling in love reflexes and the other about being an easy touch but a tough lay. (Fabulous!!!)

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Susan!

Mary Varner Hutto's avatar

Reading makes me happy even if only for a spell. Keep writing because someone always needs to read.

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you very much!

Darien Gee's avatar

Oh, how I love this for so many reasons, and the elephants are only the beginning. 🐘🐘🐘

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Darien. That makes me feel good.

Margot Wagner's avatar

The elephants are great. All creativity a needed balm these days. I have enjoyed hearing Lynda Barry speak- she has a lot to say about how we crush our creativity- carry on with your bad self. Thank you for all the great writing you have done and continue to do. ❤️🏆

Abigail Thomas's avatar

Thank you very much. I sure hope to.

Ambermoggie's avatar

You caught the essence, you can see what it is and makes you happy. Oh and makes your appreciative readers very happy. Thanks Abi from Me in England

Abigail Thomas's avatar

And thank you to you from Woodstock, NY!