The book looks awesome. I pre-ordered mine but have not received it yet. Amazon says it is still yet to be published. I can't wait for it to arrive. And not to be political but...Go Obama! ;-)

Danny,

Congratulations on the book; it has been on my wishlist for months, now I will pick it up for my Christmas present. When I opened this email and saw the picture of Jack; oh my! Where has the time gone, he is so big! My own kids are now 14 and 12, and it is wonderful and amazing to see their talents develop. I love watching them figure it all out! Congratulations again, and yes, there is a feeling of hope around, hard to explain it but it is just there!

Congradulations!! I just ordered my copy from Amazon and I can't wait to receive it!
I want to thank you for your great instructions and inspiration in Creative License--it was just what I have needed to pick up pen, pencil (sorry--I do use one :-) ) and watercolors.
I now try to inspire others with your materials and the simplicity of drawing and painting. I have a friend that is going in for serious spine surgery in a few weeks and I have given her Everyday Matters to read this week and next week I will be giving her a art kit that I have put together along with Creative License. I told her that I will be there to paint with her 1x a week during her 3 month recovery period, but that I wanted her to start now in seeing that she CAN draw. I am so excited to see who she will be in 3 months since she will be focusing on painting/journaling the great things that are happening vs lying there focusing on the pain of the moment.
Thank you again for allowing your pain to bring good into all of our lives!
God bless you and your family,
Libbi

Don't want to rain on your parade, Danny, but if this book is a collection of other people's work, how is it *your* book? I see you listed as author on Amazon but aren't you really editor? Just think credit should be given when and where it is due.

danny, I pre-ordered months ago but amazon still says the shipping date is 12/10. boo hiss

Nooooo, I haven't received my long ago pre-ordered copy!! Come on, Amazon, get to it!!

When it comes I will curl up and not surface for days! (Because I'll be drawing, too, inspired by all I'm seeing in there.)

Off to visit Roz's blog in the meantime!

Congrats on the book. Wish Jack well. And, yes we can.

I pre-ordered your new book from Amazon.com months ago and I just checked on estimated delivery date - Dec 19! So long to wait...
Congratulations!

Thanks for making this book! I'm adding it to my collection. Sketchbooks are the window to the creative soul, no? If you ever do a sequel....

I pre-ordered your book (seems like forever-ago). Checked with amazon.com. Looks like the pre-orders aren't coming out until mid-December. Waa.. I can't wait. I've been excited about it since you first mentioned it.
Thanks for the ongoing inspiration.

Hi Danny! I preordered your book back in July, but amazon is telling me I won't have it until december 10! I hope they're wrong, i can't wait to have it.

I'm looking forward to the arrival of my copy of AIL and adding it to my collection of Danny Gregory books. Still on a high from the election. Perhaps knocking on all those doors in my PA neighborhood and chatting with voters did some good after all. Here's to the next four (eight?) years and beyond!

Hi Danny - We are looking forward to the book as well! It looks great from the video! Nice to get your update and I am THRILLED and HOPEFUL ever since Obama was elected. I have a not-so-small part of my heart that doesn't feel heavy and worried anymore. What a great feeling.

The book looks fab, fab, fab Danny. On this (far) side of the Atlantic pond we have to wait until 15-19 Dec for delivery, but that will make it the best Christmas present! And. although we didn't vote for him and won't be presided over by him, masses of Europeans are just as excited as you are by Obama's election (and sat up all night watching the results roll in). Makes me feel like anything is now possible - if only European politics were as inspirational as American politics seems right now....

Oh, Danny, I absolutely LOVED this film. I LOVED spotting all my drawing friends. And, I LOVE the book. You are right, I've been looking for this book all my life too. Fan-bloody-tastic.

Just tried to order it from Amazon UK. It says it hasn't been released yet. Any idea when we Brits can get our hands on it??

Danny,
I can't wait - have pre-ordered it from Amazon, but it won't ship until Dec. 22!! Have enjoyed your work! Obama...well, unrestricted abortions, taxes through the roof, open borders - ugh!... I hope he turns out to be a better man than I'm giving him credit for - I am not hopeful. Maybe your new book will cheer me!

Hi all (and Danny!),

First, Danny, many congrats! And I believe that YOU wrote the book; I know how much effort goes into even a collaboration. Who's to judge what portion is what even before it's been viewed? So... kudos to you!

Second, on actually GETTING the book, everyone please don't critize Danny or even Amazon.com. The publisher has to actually release the book before it can be sent out to all of us. Oh and by the way, I found all of this out because I ordered another book to get the Super Saver Shipping (love those bargains!), assuming that they'd come within 14 days or so. However, I'd also apparently checked the box to have everything sent together (didn't know that was an option with SS shipping), and my confirmation gave me a ship date of just before Christmas.

Anyway, so much for logistical headaches. Again, Danny, ahead of time: thank you for the great book! I know it'll be awesome. What a Christmas present, eh?

I can't afford the new book until next year, but maybe Santa will hear my silent pleas and I'll find it under the tree. :-)

My life is different because I impulsively purchased The Creative License, all that long time ago. It's better. I'm happier. Thank you, Danny.

Hi Danny, I pre-ordered in March from Amazon and from what I am reading, people are saying Dec delivery. What???? Can you exert your influence? I want it now--it looks great. Thanks.

From my editor:
"The book just hit our warehouse on
11/11, so it should be on bookstore shelves in about two weeks.

But it has now been officially "released" and amazon preorders should begin
moving very soon."

I am trying to figure out why the video on the new book brought tears to my eyes and I can came up with a personal reason that seems to be the answer. As a kid when I was surprised with a new JC Higgens matallic blue bicycle on my birthday and as a young mother with a new house being built and they brought in the kitchen cabinets--and each time a new baby was laid in my arms--- these times I overflowed with tears as they seemed (and also your book) too good to be true...like heaven on earth to my mind...E J Mordasky

Hi Danny,

Wondering if it's still possible to sign-up/attend your weekly class, even though it already started. The "find more info" page doesn't seem to work, so at first attempt, I was unable to see if drop-ins are allowed, how much the class costs, etc. Will try calling the center today.
Thanks! Crissy

http://tommykane.blogspot.com bought 3 of them

I'm still curious about the authorship question...

Hey Danny! Way to go! It seems I need to go purchase your newest book! Congratulations.
I wrote a book this year that will come out in May and I am very excited about it. It isn't entirely about journaling but relies heavily on it. And Really, you and your work really helped move me along in the journaling respect. So thank you.

This is an email I received from a friend that shared a friend's daughter experience in Thailand on Election Day! It gives us hope for the future..........
> Hello,
> The world rejoices with us. I wanted to share this with every one in my
> address book. My daughter Brook works in Thailand and traveled back to there
> from a conference. The following is her report of her day yesterday.
>
> Katherine
>
>
>
> My dear friends,
>
>
> Today I have had to travel from the island of Borneo...from SABAH and the
> town of Kota Kinabalu. Then to Kualam Lumpur where I had a 5 hour lay over
> and finally arriving very late at night in Bangkok. The election has already
> begun....
>
> Today, in honor of the election, I am wearing an Obama '08 button on my
> lapel. If the treatment and reaction throughout my day is any indication of
> what our world might become....I am overwhelmed with optimism. First, every
> single place I went, someone noticed the button and called out, "OBAMA!".
> There were international administrators from across the region at the Hotel.
> Many of them nodded and smiled, and even the non-Americans who reacted with
> huge enthusiasm. One man from Australia stopped me to talk politics for 10
> minutes! . The crew working behind the desk all gave a thumbs up*...the taxi
> driver did not charge me for taking me to the airport.
> *
> I must explain that, once at the airport, I am one of very few Americans
> among Asians from all over this region. I might possibly be the only blond
> in either airport I have been in so far today, and won't see many if any
> Americans until Bangkok. I do not speak the language...thank goodness they
> speak English.
>
> Upon seeing my button, everyone, without exception, smiles. I have received
> preferential treatment all day long. They didn't make me pay extra for a
> heavy bag, they treated me in short, like royalty. The stewardess told the
> pilot, who stood up in the cock pit to give me a thumbs up. Even the
> immigration official barely looked at my passport. He was much more
> interested in knowing an Obama supporter and what I thought would happen
> today.
>
> When I was buying dinner at a very American McDonalds (the only place to get
> something to eat), the entire crew behind the counter (not one American)
> came to say kind words to me. The man who exchanged my money asked how I
> could do anything so far away from the USA. I told him, with some amount of
> pride, that I had voted by absentee ballot. *He took my hand and said,
> "thank you so much for voting for Mr. Obama." There were actual tears in his
> eyes*.
>
> While waiting at the airport in Kota Kinabalu a girl about 9 years old saw
> my button. She smiled broadly. I said hello and she asked if I wanted Obama
> to win because she did and her whole family did and that that morning they
> said a prayer that he would. I told her that I thought Barack would like
> that a girl all the way in Kota Kinabalu said a prayer for him. She asked
> could I tell him that they were praying for him and I said I would send an
> email to his headquarters. She was so excited that she ran to tell her
> parents. Her father came over and asked me if I knew Obama.I told him I had
> seen him speak, but never met him. He said that his whole community was
> praying for Obama and that he appreciated that I would write an email to
> tell him. He took my hand and said, we are praying for all of the American
> people too. This was the second stranger to take my hand today. It was my
> turn to have tears in my eyes, because this man, who I didn't know, was
> completely sincere. I thanked him. He said*, "all of us, together...do you
> understand?" I said, "All of us together." We parted...smiling!
> *
> I write this as I sit in the airport at Kuala Lumpur waiting for hours for
> the plane. The women who guard the doors have on muslim headdresses, orange
> pants outfits and lime green jerseys. They are shy and reserved, yet they
> give me the thumbs up, and quietly whisper, "Obama" as I walk by. There are
> Thai and Chinese, and Indonesians and Indians surrounding me...The
> languages, dress, foods are all interesting. And sitting right next to me is
> a Buddhist monk, in just his orangish/yellow robes and shaved head. He
> smiles broadly when I look at him. He says frankly, "I like Obama."
>
> The man behind the counter is Malaysian. He asks if I voted and when I
> confirm I have he laughs really loud and says something to the other
> official sitting next to him. This man laughs too. They both look at me
> intently. The one, fighting to find the right english begins, "This is
> (something in Malay). I smile saying I don't understand. He looks at his
> colleague and rattles something in Malay...The man says just a minute. He
> gets out a book. It is an english translation book. He says something to the
> man and hands him the book...pointing to a line on the page. The 1st man
> turns back to me and says..."this is fan/tas/a/tic...fan-tas-aahhh-tic...how
> do you say?" I tell him, yes, he is right "Fantastic". They laugh again at
> their attempts. I laugh too. He st! amps everything forcefully, "wham! wham!
> wham!" And then he says something none of these officials ever take time to
> say, "We hope you will come back and visit our country!" "Of course, I say,
> of course." I don't quite know how to explain the full meaning of his
> invitation. Americans haven't been at the top of the list for quite awhile
> and traveling around, it isn't hard to sense.
>
> Our leaders reflect who we are as a country/nation. I have always been proud
> of my family and Oregon. I have not always been proud of our leaders and the
> choices they make. Today I am proud...I am proud of our country and I was
> tearful watching a top French official trying to explain to the BBC reporter
> why the whole world is watching this election and praying that Obama will
> become our president.
>
> Well, thank you for letting me share. Tomorrow at 7am we head to the
> American Embassy gathering to watch the election results come in! . We are
> attending with world leaders and diplomats. We ar e to dress "smart casual".
> It should be quite the experience...one I hope brings new hope to our
> country and the world.
>
> with love always,
>
>
>
> Brook

Hi Danny. The book looks great, but I have to admit, upon viewing the little videomercial, despite the beautiful imagery, I was a bit turned off by what I perceived as a slight jab to my profession . As an art educator, I work my butt off day in day out turning kids onto art. The smiles on their faces when they enter the art room say it all. Their work says even more. I know too many good folks who are on the same boat as me who would feel the same. Am I overreacting here, or being slightly too sensitive? Maybe so. Still, in these trying times, when school budgets are getting cut left and right, and art educators (or,as we called them back in the day, art teachers) are either finding themselves out of a job, or not being able to find a job, the last thing we need is someone dissing art education. I'll certainly buy the book - how could I resist something this good? Still, please talk me down and tell me why I'm getting my panties in a bundle over a tiny, little sentence (or don't waste your time on me at all).

i ordered 8,000 copies! (8 really.) i'm so excited!

Hello! This is great! I cant wait to get a hold of one soon : )

Looks great...and huge! Can't wait for mine to get here. I ordered it looong ago.

can't wait. the anticipation is killing me!