Paul Bibby
At a time when daily news reports are filled with traumatic tidings, local artist Maddy Hill has brought a ‘Little Light’ into the world.
The Mullumbimby resident has just released a new children’s book, Little Light, that encourages kids to practice mindfulness and gratitude for the small things in life.
‘I think one of the most important things is for people to learn to love themselves, especially from a young age,’ says Ms Hill.
‘So many of the issues we have as adults come from our upbringing and experience as kids, so to learn to nurture ourselves from the inside is really important.’
‘And I think it’s really important for parents too.’
Featuring artwork made with a combination of pen work and watercolour, Little Light encourages kids to focus in on their senses and to recognise their own simple gifts such as the ability to see, hear, touch, taste and smell.
‘I was really fortunate as a kid because my mum encouraged us focused on the positive things,’ Ms Hill says.
‘She would do body sweep meditations with us before we went to sleep, and encourage us to reflect on the day and come into our senses.’
‘So there’s a little meditation for kids in the book.’
Ms Hill’s own experience as a Mum was also part of the inspiration.
‘Since having [my son] Jaali I’ve spent a lot of time reading to him and thought about writing a children’s book.
‘I also spent a lot of time holding him and walking around exploring the world with him and reflecting on how children see and experience things.’
Known for her intricately designed cards and a new range of colourful pants, Ms Hill has simplified her style with Little Light , though there are still some familiar touches.
‘There’s a butterfly on every page, and a sneaky little unicorn in there,’ she says.
‘I just wanted it to be nice and clear and simple for kids.’
To order a copy of Little Light or any of Maddy Hill’s work go to www.moonfacemaddy.com
At dawn, in little light, looking across from Mt Warning to a little hill where there is the biggest little town in Australia, Mullumbimby, there are a lot of little children having joy about Maddy Hill’s new book, Little Light.
It is the little things in this world that bring happiness to children.
Good on you Maddy. Good fortune be with you, and all fellow visual artists, crafters, performing artists, and musicians.
In times of stress and hardship, art is even more important.
Art heals the soul.
Leo Tolstoy once commented “Art is not a [mere] pleasure, a solace, or an amusement. Art is a great matter.”