There's Nothing but Admiration & Adoration for @DoodlebugKRY - Her Thinking, Artistry, Interests, Projects, Presentations, & Gifts are EVERYTHING

Two years ago, Danbury teacher Denise Howe introduced CWP-Fairfield to Karen Romano Young, a writer and illustrator in Bethel, Connecticut, who  creates materials that blend the beauty of our visual world with written literacy. A workshop with her is a demonstration of curiosity and wisdom, and always 100% successful. I can't say enough about her work.

Yesterday, KRY visited the 2021 Invitational Leadership Institute and once again dazzled our teachers with her published work, thinking, and projects. Her presentations are pure - just golden. It's learning time as she presents, but she gives listeners an outlet to doodle, too. 

One exercise Karen did yesterday, however, caught my attention more than usual. "Draw a person," she said, "but instead of labeling the parts, go after the actions of the parts." 

I loved this, and as I drew my figure, I started thinking differently. 

It was a delicious task, and I realized there's a story at every point. Definitely keeping this activity.

The head as a wisdom-nabber, but also as an Achilles-heal, thinking-apparatus.

The chest as bouncing man boobs (hair given for free) and elbows as a place to teach weenis as a word. 

A belly button that tours all the way to China. 

The Hula Hooper hips. Hands as career makers. The pelvis as Hendrick's Chapel, Henry's brother to be operated upon in August. 

My legs - the land of psoriasis.

The feet, the hikers and runners.

There are always stories, and I can definitely narrate much, much more should the time come.

Doodles. Ideas. Creations. Possibilities. Stories. That is Karen Romano Young, the author and artist. I'm super excited for her projects to still come and can't wait to celebrate her work again with Weir Farm this Fall (although Karen will be on a ship working on the next project). 

We ended this week's teacher institute with a BANG! Now, today, we close out the 2nd week of our Novel Writers (and I have a softball game in the afternoon and a car appointment in 20 minutes). 

 "Phew. I'm a lucky son of a Butch. For real. For real."