A Blueprint for the New Generation
Introducing two new children art commissions. Both are for repeat clients for whom I had drawn the elder sibling in the past.
The little boy, Brysen, is the second child of a client in Canada. His elder brother, Bellamy, is half-native and has now a little partner in crime to play with who is himself half-black. The two I have been told are absolutely inseparable.
The little girl, Bettany, is the second child of a friend in New-Zealand. Her elder sister, Grace, was born in the UK while the other little blonde hair angel was born in New-Zealand but both are half-half from their parents. Another interesting mix!
I really enjoy drawing babies and children in general and I will take the odd art commission from time to time. Over the years, I had the pleasure to draw a mosaic of children from various places - from South Africa to India, Turkey, the US or the UK, and now Canada and New-Zealand. Together they form the patchwork of a new generation.
Every time I create a new portrait I wonder what these children are going to become. What will their impact be on the world? How will they shine their light? Will they be a new Greta? But also, what type of education and heritage will we give them? It works both ways.
Since I was a child myself I have always been very inspired not only by nature but also by meaningful quotes that can act as useful wisdom to guide you along your life journey whenever you need it.
So I’ll take this opportunity to highlight some quotes from Nelson Mandela who is certainly one big inspiration and left such a heritage behind him for the new generation to embrace. At times, while we may not know what the future holds, let us remember the wisdom that is a guiding light.
In the context of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals aiming to create a better future for people and planet, that type of wisdom provides a very useful blueprint too that is not unuseful to share again and again with our children. Because if transmitted and applied, “you can use it to change the world” indeed.
Fifteen quotes by Nelson Mandela
1. Be passionate
“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” “It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
2. Nothing’s impossible
“It always seems impossible, until it is done.” “When people are determined they can overcome anything.”
3. Be great
“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” “Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
4. Make a difference
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
5. Be optimistic
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
6. Learn and teach
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
7. Make mistakes
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” “The greatest glory in living is not in falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
8. Don’t waste time
“We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.”
9. Change the world
“You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action.” ”As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” “Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.”
10. Love others
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” “People respond in accordance to how you treat them.”
11. Create abundance
“Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.”
12. Grow from every experience
“It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.”
13. Be a winner
“I never lose. I either win or learn.” “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
14. Conquer fear
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
15. Live
“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”