What makes us start drawing?
What makes us STOP drawing?
Cartoonist Lynda Barry wants everyone to pick up a pencil, pen, or brush and get at it again. Her new book is called Picture This (with guest water colorist Kevin Kawula), and it's bursting with art lessons (some of them taught by a near-sighted monkey) that are SO fun and SO profoundly creative that no one who reads it will ever say "I can't draw" again.
This is Lynda Barry.

And this is Lynda Barry

Photo found at www.examiner.com

This is her new book

Picture This by Lynda Barry, published by Drawn and Quarterly. Photo found on drawnandquarterly.com

where you'll find a near-sighted monkey

Near-sighted monkey drawing by Lynda Barry. Found on wisconsinhistory.com

And excerpts from the amazing Hullaballu, the Book Too Messed Up to Exist.
This book features drawings of cigarettes being smoked, but the author is CLEAR that they are "DON'T" brand, the IMAGINARY CIGARETTES.
Here's one of Lynda's drawing tips that I will always keep in mind: A line is a pull toy that pulls YOU!
And here I am with the celebrated author. She is as inspiring in person as on the page!

The books behind us belong to Skylight Books in Los Angeles, California