Something About Creating
8 illustrations created by Reibert-Anthony based on quotes from the book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
**Consider shopping for books at a local bookstore ( Half Price Books) but if you do click on the links below, know that they are all part of the Amazon affiliate program and I will make a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you.*
A QUICK UPDATE ON MY LIFE:
Things have been rough! A history making winter storm hit Texas. A whole ass 6.4 inches of snow was recorded at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport!! Last time we had this much snow was back in Jan. 30, 1949!
EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN! Good ol’ HEB closed a majority of their stores on February 16, 2021.
Austin is currently in a BOIL WATER NOTICE. (Click on this link to find out about water distribution sites in Austin. Updated Feb. 21, 2021)
I am grateful that my family and I have managed to stay well and healthy during this time. Hope y’all are doing well also!
Today I will be sharing 8 illustrations and the inspiration behind them based on quotes from the book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami (This is the second book in my 2021 Challenge, to find out about all 12 books, read Something About Starting.)
My ‘RUN’ Illustration is inspired by the self-talk that Haruki Murakami gives himself on days that he is not feeling motivated to go out for a run.
I give myself a similar self-talk on days that my training for the Austin Half Marathon requires me to do long distance runs. I usually do my work outs after my daytime job, it is very tempting to take a day off instead of training on busy days.
Murakami mentions a poster he sees in a gym that says “Muscles are hard to get and easy to lose. Fat is easy to get and hard to lose.” I thought it would be interesting if I made this poster into two separate posters. I added a 'Food Pyramid’ to the illustration because nutrition is an important of a healthy routine, especially when training for races. (How to Adjust Your Fueling as Your Training Changes)
The four qualities of a novelist.
In chapter 4, Mr. Murakami mentions the four qualities that make up a great novelist: Patience, Focus, Talent and Endurance. I was inspired to create an illustration that had all four qualities ‘moving’ in the same direction. The reason my illustration seems to be moving in the same direction is intentional and with the purpose of showing that these four qualities will lead to something good no matter what. I believe embodying all four qualities is beneficial for everyone, whether you want to become a novelist or not.
In the book, Mr Murakami says “The problem with talent, though, is that in most cases the person involved can’t control it’s amount or quality.” Taking inspiration from this quote and the meme, Salt Bae, I created my interpretation how I was “created.”
I created this illustration after reading how thirsty Mr. Murakami was during his run from Athens to Marathon in 1983.
This Illustration was inspired by Mr. Murakami mention of “natural vitality” that exist in young novel writers that makes it easier for them to achieve focus and endurance. My interpretation of this observation made me think of literal wings that are able to keep a “young person” calmly floating and maintain a peaceful post.
Mr. Murakami mentions his body “naturally craves” fresh fruit. Based on this observation, I was inspired to illustrate an apple with a small heart in the center to symbolize how we all naturally crave love.
I am currently selling my Heart & Apple illustration in my Redbubble Store as a repeating pattern. Making a purchase from my Redbubble Store would be absolutely appreciated!
Looking forward to see what other inspirations I get from reading, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami.
Peace out,
Reibert-Anthony
Be sure to follow my Instagram account @reibert_anthony to find out more about my day to day progress.
