Saturday, May 20, 2023

Spring Buttercup

Here's a little spring buttercup I drew this morning.

Pen and Ink Drawing of a Spring Buttercup by Ingrid A. Lobo

Cherry Blossoms

I drew some cherry blossoms on an early morning airplane flight.

Pen and Ink Drawing of Cherry Blossoms by Ingrid A. Lobo

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill

Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill

Where Hope Comes From is a book of poetry by Nikita Gill. Published in 2021, Gill’s poems reflect on the coronavirus pandemic and how to find strength and hope in a time of loneliness and isolation. Her poems are divided into five sections thematically using the life cycle of a star. The book is illustrated with her watercolors and drawings.

I especially loved the poems “Letter to My Younger Self in Times of Turbulence,” “Notes on Survival,” “The Present,” “In Contemplation,” and “Spring Cleaning.” I was struck by the lines in “The Confrontation” saying, “This is what loneliness does. It acts as a mirror for who you are.” I also loved the opening lines of “Daily Mantra 2” reading, “There is still room for love. Even after being uprooted…” A few more of my favorites were “The Forest,” “Love in the Time of Coronavirus,” and “93 Percent Stardust.”

I found Nikita Gill’s poems to be thoughtful, understanding, and encouraging. Her sweet message on the book's back cover reminds her readers that they are not alone. Her poems have a universal quality, but they are also grounded in the everyday. I look forward to reading more of her writing.

Purchase and read books by Nikita Gill:

Where Hope Comes From by Nikita Gill These Are the Words by Nikita Gill