Infinite Hope

Infinite Hope

Juvenile/YA/adult nonfiction
Ashley Bryan is a beloved, award winning artist and children's
book illustrator. In 1943 he received a notice that would change the
course of his life. Those notices changed a lot of guys' lives.
America was embroiled in World War II. He was drafted. Throughout
his years in the military he drew constantly, even using pieces of
brown toilet paper when more traditional materials were not available.
He saved his artwork and transported it back to America, only to
put it away. Like other returning Black servicemen, he'd lived
through not only trauma and devastation, but through cruel racism on
the part of the military. It was a part of his life he wanted to get
past. Eventually only his family knew that he'd been in the military.
Fast forward to the 1980s. At a children's literature seminar
Bryan mentioned that he kept a sketch pad in his gas mask during World
War II. After showing slides made from some of his drawings he put
them up for a few more decades, painting the beauty of Maine's Little
Cranberry Island.
Fortunately recently Bryan was asked to do paintings based on
his World War II drawings.
"Fifty years ago, those paintings would have been dark--grays
and blacks. But in really looking at these sketches now, I saw a
beauty there--the beauty of the shared human experience. And I was
able to face these sketches, face these memories and emotions, and
turn them into the special world created by the men [he served
with]...I would paint them in full color, filled with the vibrancy and
life I had put into my garden paintings. I was ready."
Infinite Hope is an amazing mix of words, photographs, sketches,
and paintings. There are journal excerpts and letters to a dear
friend. In each two page spread there is so much to linger over.
This fine volume will fascinate folks well beyond its target
demographics.
In a 1944 letter to his friend Eva Bryan made the following
poignant prediction:
"...Since Peace is the only recourse remaining for a
civilization that is at last far too developed in the means of
extinction for its own good it seems that we will resort to it and
make it work this time and for ever."
If only!!!!!!!
On a purrrsonal note (from Tobago), it has come to my attention that
some hoomans might get bored from staying to home. Here is my list.
If you follow it you will keep plenty busy.
1) Spend some of the time washing your hands and sanitizing surfaces.
2) Play with your floofs (cats) and goggies (dogs) and little hoomans.
3) Read some good books.
4) Try out recipes you never get around to trying when you're on the go.
5) Get crafty, paint, knit, crochet, wood work, make collages...
6) Write the great American novel.
7) Enjoy floof and goggie memes on the Internet.
8) Nap.
9) Stay in touch with friends and family by phone and Internet. Check
in on medically fragile hoomans to make sure they're OK.
10) If you must, play video games and watch tv.
11) Plan how you are going to party it up when this shitstorm is over
and you are released from captivity.
And don't forget that you can't buy love, but you can rescue it.
A great big shout out goes out to our readers whom we hope are finding
some way to enjoy St. Patrick's Day.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway



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