BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS
Myrna Shoa's illustrations for books and stories.
"I created the illustrations for Carolyn Joel Elva's book PROUD TO BE NAKED She asks you to question what is going on in your life now in order to help you clarify exactly what you are thinking, saying, doing and not doing." Myrna Shoa
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Storytelling connects us to the world
I created these illustrations for the exhibition's catalogue for Glass Odyssey, based on the King's Son story. Glass by artist/storyteller John Patsalides. Stories, both those we tell ourselves and those we encounter, profoundly shape our identities, beliefs, and behaviours. They provide frameworks for understanding the world, inspire action, and connect us to others. The telling of stories transports us to a place where we can think and feel in a fresh way.
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"There was once an immeasurably beautiful land where all people lived in a kind of paradise. The king had a son who as custom foretold had to go on a journey and bring back a jewel guarded by a fearsome monster. However, soon after starting on his way he became distracted by pleasures and sights he had never encountered before and fell asleep, forgetting the task he had to undertake. Awoken by a special sound he remembered what he had to do and set off again, He found the monster, outwitted it and reclaimed the jewel .He made his way back to his land which he now saw as though for the first time. After these adventures the king's son was now prepared for his future kingship". The King's Son.
THE FAMILY OF GYPSIES "We won first prize in a village Fancy Dress competition in Cornwall dressed as ourselves."
In 1975 Ruti and I hitchhiked with our two young children from London to the West country carrying a tent and sleeping bags. We arrived at a friend's farmhouse building, a hippy commune for drug and alcohol dependent people. The following day everyone was preparing for the annual fancy dress competition in the village.The four of us had just what we had brought with us the minimum amount of clothing as we had to carry it. Later on in the day, the organisers announced the prize-giving. “The winners of the family category are….. The Family of Gypsies”. The four of us were in shock. A lady there, handed us our prize money ……. “Congratulations, you look marvellous”. She handed us our prize,……50p, equivalent to about £5 in today’s money.
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