In the early 1900s, W. H. Hudson published a nature-inspired novel: Green Mansions.  The main character of that novel was Rima, The Bird Girl. The book was eventually rendered into an 1950’s film starring Audrey Hepburn. 

While in grade school, I read the book, and as a school project, created my version of Rima who lived in the trees of a South American jungle. 

The drawing was praised by my teacher, who said I should enter it in the county fair. I lived a very difficult life then, and the attention and praise spurred me on to continue creating. 

60 years later, I’m still excited as I was back then making art, each piece created as a discovery into that little kid that I used to be.