Isn’t it great when a book not only entertains you but sparks your interest enough that you seek out more information on the subject? One book that really challenged me to try something new was One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry.
This was my first read for the Graphic Novels challenge and it’s turned out to be one of my favorite books this year already. The book, which she describes as a work of “autofictionalography”, focuses on family life viewed from a young girl’s perspective. Barry was prompted to start the book after she read about an exercise where you draw the demons that haunt you. Using single word notecards, chinese calligraphy brushes and ink she draws out stories on dancing, music, resilience, and other subjects.
Whether the stories are real or not they are haunting. She recreates the world of a childhood filled with hurts, loneliness, and examines her dysfunctional family. Her drawings may be simple yet are able to convey so many emotions that whether or not your own experience is similar to the author’s you can’t help but feel connected. One of the vignettes that moved me the most was the one titled, “Dancing”. After a snide remark about her dancing style she stops dancing, an activity she loved. It’s just a pointed reminder of the consequences words can have.
This was a visually exciting book which could be easily read in one sitting but why rush. You want to drink in the words and then let your eyes wander over all the colorful lines, squiggles, faces, etc. There is just so much to see that you’ll have to come back to it over and over. I know I will have to add this book to my personal library.
And, that’s not all, at the end of the book Barry encourages the reader to try their hand at drawing demons and has some advice as to how to start out. So I did just that. I got a hold of some of my husband’s art supplies and used some paper scraps to try my hand at demon-making.
The word I chose for my demon-making journal entry is “German” because I’m “haunted” by the fact that I still wish I could speak this language. Obviously, I’m just having fun with my entry. Now, I open my journal to you to let you see my demon, please remember that I don’t draw at all:
Grinding the ink was fun but it was hard to draw with the brush. Ah, what am I saying, I just can’t draw! I cut out some words, used rubber stamps and wrote a bit about wanting to speak German a bit more fluently next time we go visit. Anyway, would I try this demon-making exercise again? Sure, it was fun.
Ooh the artwork is lovely, Iliana! Who says you don’t have the talent? 😉
Thanks so much for sharing, I really enjoyed this post!
What a fun creative exercise! Thanks for sharing it.
Someday I’d love to learn how to write Japanese kanji characters with a brush. I can’t read them but I love seeing all of the beautiful scrolls.
Melody – Thank you! I had a good time… Laughed a lot doing this so I think that’s a good thing 🙂
tanabata – It’s so fun to try some new crafty thing. I bet that is hard to do but so beautiful right. I’d love to see a demo on that.
What a great creative project! I simply cannot draw either, so I shy away from anything to do with art…however, this looks like fun, especially if you laughed all through it!
Thanks for sharing your new adventure in reading and art with us 🙂
I really like what you’ve done so far, iliana, and look forward to more! Love the term “autofictionalography”- and love the idea of visualizing your demons.
And, btw, I drew your name for Nameless Night by G.M. Ford. Send me your snail mail address, and I’ll get it in the mail soon!
Wow! This is so cool. It’s always what I wanted my journal to look like with cut outs and drawings and all kinds of stuff. But I can’t draw either. I’ll have to try something like this soon.
So cool!
I absolutely love this! In a class I’m taking on C. S. Lewis, the professor had the students write a “Screwtape Letter” based on the book of the same title by Lewis. The book is a series of letters between two demons, uncle and nephew, on how to best to tempt humans. The student with the best letter got a devil’s food cake. This reminded me of that. I think I’d like to try this some time. Thanks! You are always so creative and inspiring.
This book sounds absolutely irresistible. I’m going to have to look for it. And how cool that it inspired you to do something creative! Like aka_nik, I always wanted to have a journal like that (I am hopeless at drawing too).
What a wonderful post! I’m so proud of you for letting your creativity flow. Keep up the good work on your blog.
ravenous reader – For me art is definitely about having fun. I used to do oil painting when I was a kid and then just stopped. In recent years I’ve taken watercolor and other art classes because whether you are good or not I think it’s important to foster creativity 🙂
jenclair – Isn’t that a great term? I must read more by Barry because I’m so intrigued by her. And, yippee, I won! I’ll send you an email. Thank you.
aka_nik – sometimes that blank page is scary isn’t it? I used to think I could never do anything artistic with a journal and well, it may not be artistic what I do but it’s fun. I’ve got a great book to recommend if you are interested, Visual Chronicles.
Lisa – Ooh, I had not heard of that. How interesting. I will have to look for that because I’m really digging this exercise!
Nymeth – I hope you do. I believe Barry also had a series of strips on Salon.com and I think they are archived. Maybe you can check those out too and see if you like her style.
Shadan – You are too sweet girl. You know me, just trying to live out loud 🙂
Your devil looks better than my devil.
Good luck with learning German. This might be the impetus that you need.
Get the weirdness out of your system!
It’s interesting that you are reading about fears of children. The bloggers that I read regularly are reading about children lately.
Oooh, I haven’t heard of that book, but it sounds great! I read one that sounds kind of like it…Long Time Relationship, by Julie Doucet. Great stuff. Good luck with the rest of the challenge! I need to hop to it and get some more marked off my list.
I’m going to have to look for the Barry book! And I love your journal pages. I miss that sort of creativity–I need more hours in the day!
This is incredible. You are so creative, and I love what you have to say about this book. I’ve always been afraid of graphic novels…
Isabel – You drew a devil too?! I’m sure he’s great. Yep, I really need to work on my German. I get so frustrated because I feel like I’ve reached a plateau and can’t move on.
Andi – I have a feeling you would love it! It’s awesome. I quickly checked Long Time Relationship and that sounds like something I definitely need to read. Thanks!
Danielle – There are just not enough hours in the day are there? I love to read but then I miss crafting. And, then of course I miss reading. What to do! 🙂
LK – Ah thank you. Don’t be afraid LK, embrace this one. Really, it’s that good. I want to look for more of Barry’s work. I get the feeling I will love it too.
I’m adding the book to my TBR list. I’ll have to see if my library has it for the next time I am in the mood for a graphic novel. And I love your demon journal entry!
That sounds like fun! Graphic novel is a *completely* new genre to me, and I don’t know where to start. Your “demon” is very cute! 🙂
Stefanie – I’m glad you’re adding it to your list! This has turned out to be a great jump start to journaling. Every once in a while it’s good to try something different and see what comes out on the page.
Matt – I thought I’d never like graphic novels but I’ve been so impressed by the few I’ve read. The diversity of subjects is fascinating and not to mention the art work. I need to give my demon a name don’t you think? 🙂
Nice demon! I should like to try it out myself some time soon. And I have not read any graphic novels yet…so far, I’ve only read comics! Maybe One Hundred Demons could be my first graphic novel. 🙂