Joyce Carol Oates and the Incredible Gift of Alice in Wonderland.

“Alice had begun to think that very few things indeed were really impossible.” 
                                                              - Lewis Carrol                                                                                                     Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland, Illustration by John Tenniel

While listening to Morning Edition on National Public Radio, I came upon a fascinating interview with author, Joyce Carol Oates.  She was discussing her latest book, The Lost Landscape, a collection of short stories about her early childhood experiences that shaped her life and work. 

Oates credits her grandmother, Blanche, with instilling in her an early love for reading and writing.  She gave her precious treasures - books!  One in particular, Alice in Wonderland, made a huge impact on her life, stirring a yearning in her to become a writer.  Alice was her hero. 

Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, describes Alice as:   

"Loving...gentle as a fawn... trustful, ready to accept the wildest impossibilities with all that utter trust that only dreamers know; and lastly, curious... with the eager enjoyment of Life that comes only in the happy hours of childhood...”

I admire Alice for all of these qualities as well, and especially for her resilience and love of adventure.  And I'm inspired by Joyce Carol Oates' devotion to perfecting her art and persistence in fulfilling her dream of becoming the writer that she is today. The women in my paintings are 'Alices in Wonderland', so to speak.  For Alice, nothing is impossible!