i was talking to my friend the other day about how sad it is that people don’t often have heroes anymore…. do you have a hero? someone who inspires you to live your life a different way or makes you dream more fantastic dreams?
my hero is Jim Houser. His work is just so fascinating to me… just every little thing about it. I’m pretty sure I’ve read his book a million times….
who is your hero?
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Honestly, creativly you are my hero/ inspiration… I love the way your style, it inspires me to think outside the box and just be more creative! So thank you Elsie! …. and I can’t forget my other favorite hero “Wonder Woman”!
My hero would be my mother. She’s always there for me and she has taught me so many good things about life. I love her!
When i was little my hero was Jacques Cousteau. As an adult I’ve found very few public figures that truly inspire me. BUT, i am amazed by some of the “ordinary” people i know. My best friend homeschools her son, teaches scrapbooking at 3 different stores and works third shift. My other best friend is a high school science teacher, drummer, leader in his church and attends seminary full time. They are both my heros. I aspire to use my time as fully and wisely as they do and to make as lasting of a positive impact on the world.
My IRL hero would be my dad… My bio-logical mother is an alcoholic and he pretty much rescued us from that life. He is an amazing role model and I thank God for him everyday. I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for him taking us out of that home.
Creatively, I’d have to say that you’re my hero. When I need a break, some inspiration, or just a little scrapbook eye candy, I always check out your blog and Flickr group. Otherwise, my high school English teacher is my hero.
My brother Joel is definitely a hero to me 🙂 He’s *always* happy and encouraging to everyone, and he has fun in everything that he does.
And you are definitely a huge inspiration to me…not just saying that 🙂 From the first time I saw your work in CK until this day, you are constantly inspiring me!
My mom is naturally a hero to me, but that is an easy one to say. She did introduce me to someone I consider a hero. Frank Lloyd Wright. He is my Hero. I love his arrogance, his vision and ability as an architect. Most of all I admire that he did precisely what he wanted to do with no apologies yet he was also open to new ideas of every kind. He was totally true to himself. I love that. He fascinates me. My favorite saying of his is “There is nothing in heaven as beautiful as nature on earth” I have never been so inspired as when standing in a space he created.
Jacqueline Kennedy.
My hero defenitily Kelly Jones from the band the stereophonics. Music is always inspiring for some art. Mika
HEY ELSIE! HOW’S IT GOING?
I WAS WONDERING WHEN IN NOVEMBER IS YOUR BOOK COMING OUT?
That’s a good question.. and I came to realize that I don’t have one.
My sister is my hero! It’s because of her that I took so many art classes in high school and those art classes led me to study Graphic Design in college…which is what my job consists of. She is also who got me started on scrapbooking and painting, and most importantly… opening my mind up to other unique styles!
good question…when is your book coming out! I am getting super excited for it!!!!!
princess diana.. i was named after her
Wow- I have lots of Heros.
I will start with you. You Always inspire me to use color and shapes to tell my story. I have a tendancy to “play it safe” with color and such, and you are my hero for inspiring me branch out.
Ali Edwards is also a Hero of mine. She is Amazing, and also takes my work in another direction as far as journaling, photos and telling my “life story”.
My little brother is also my Hero. I am not sure why, but he is. He is 16, and is the sweetest manboy you will ever find 🙂 He embodies creativity, kindnesss, and a crazy sence of humor. He is the best! 🙂
I would have to say my husband. .. and Audrey Hepburn
I can’t say that I have a specific “hero”. I would say ANYONE that can make it through a tough situation & NOT let it get them down or jade them is my hero. Those people that are dealing with cancer, HIV or AIDS, any difficult sickness. Those that have had to deal with a loss be it monetary or physical. Those that have SURVIVED this battle, faced it head on ans SURVIVED!
Those are my heros!
My 16 year old daughter is my hero!! She inspires me everyday. She is a self-proclaimed hippie chick. She wants to save the world and is on her way to doing so. She just got recycle bins put in at her high school and is active in so many things. Beautiful, wonderful,creative and everthing good in this world is my hero, my daughter!!!!
My hero would be Lucille Ball. She was amazingly talented and could make anyone laugh. She went through so much with Desi but was very strong and came out of it OK. She was really and truly my hero!
My grandparents lost their home of 48 years in the Alstead NH flood 2 years ago. They’d raised all their children in this home. The only thing my grandmother left with was my grandfather (in a wheel chair- suffering from Parkinsons disease and strokes), her black lab- Bridget, and her insulin. Within minutes my grandparents entire home was washed away into a river- that had previously been nothing but a stream. The area in which they lived was never ruled to be within a flood zone, so no flood insurance. My grandmother, just as she always had, finds peace in knowing God. It’s her greatest comfort. My grandmother stayed strong during the worst, encouraging others to look at the bright side of things- knowing that their lives were spared that day. Sure, she misses her possessions, but what good would they be if she were not here to enjoy them. She picked up the pieces and made a new life for herself. She invested much of her energies into caring for and loving my grandfather, who was since passed. The little bit of time they had left together was more important than crying over the loss of material possessions.
My grandmother is my hero.
My hero is my mother, she inspires me to be a better person and not take crap from people who don’t deserve my time of day. She inspires me to be creative, she inspires me to travel the world (as long as she can come along hehe). She inspires me to be an amazing mother to my daughter because she was amazing with me. She is my hero, my best friend, and always my mother.
My grandma is my hero–82 years old and still active & learning new things! Also, she’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.
Steve Jobs. Definitely. After founding Apple Computer in 1976, then losing it all in 1985, he came back in 1997 to build it back up to the powerhouse it is today. OSX. iMac. iPod. iPhone. He is uncompromising, unrelenting, and completely confident with his own intuition.
Hey Elsie!!
Wow who is my hero?? Well i love the way you scrap its so facinating. Its all over the place and I adore that!!! You have helped me shape the way I to create while i have still managed to keep my style my own.
I think my family to me is my hero. I have a strong family even tho my parents divorced when i was younger. I look up to them all and adore them all and they all inspire me to be who I am.
this is an awesome question btw!!!
Scarlett O’Hara – she did what she had to do to survive.
one of my university professor !!
Single Mothers.
Before I had a child, I misjudged, I am sad to admit. My hubby is temporarily away for a few months, and I realize how incredible and inspiring they are to manage everything themselves. They are definitely my heroes.
my parents. there are awesome. they are always there and are understanding! i love them so much! i dont know what i would do without them!
My hero? My hubby. He has always encouraged me to be who I am..he became very ill a couple of times, both mentally and physically..and he had the strength and determination to not let it get the better of him..and both times he came through it a better person..our love stronger…hes my hero.
none other than the Hero of heroes: Jesus Christ
My dad is my hero for sure he is brilliant and knows how to live life to the fullest, he is a lover of music and amazing storyteller he even wrote a screenplay. He gives the best advice and is always there when I need him.
My husband is also up there on the hero list he doesn’t let his feather get ruffled, he’s smart and knows how to have a good time and he comes up with the funniest ideas for things to do and ways to decorate. And he pushes me to be true to myself.
I will add Elsie that your work and your blog has inspired me to be more creative and to remember how to have fun so thank you!!!
everyone in the service is my hero. they protect my right to even be sitting here saying what i am. i thank God every day for those willing to risk their lives for mine! THANK YOU SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Elsie – I know this may sound corney to you but you are my hero. Your free spirit and ablity to do what you love is very inspirational. It drives me to strive for happiness in my life. Thanks for the inspiration hon.
I would have to say Leigh Taylor or you or one of those other amazing photographers. They inspire me so much. Also you because of your artisticness which I have none.
My hero is Debbie Oliver- she created a website called cleftAdvocate- when my son Jayton was born with a bilateral cleft lip & palate I stumbled across her site through the help of google and it was a godsend. I have been part of their community ever since to assist other families in their journey. So she is a hero in my eyes for helping me and so many other families!
i have a few, currently . . .its ellen degeneres. i love that she is able to be herself no matter what. she stays true to herself, and at the same time brings laughter to the world and not only that, but does so in a tasteful manner. i can always count on her for a laugh.
also marianne williamson.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
i have this quote on my wall and it inspires me everytime i read it. it reaffirms my faith, and it just means soo much to me.
those are my heros.
Mine is Zayra Alvarez, who was on Rockstar supernova. I just love her. She dares to be different and just be proud to be herself. She is amazing!
hey friend, I miss you.
I know it may seem like I am saying this because you asked but creatively you would be my hero. you know my parents were not into anything very creative when we were growing up and that is one reason I loved coming to your house. You and your momma got me off the couch and away from the aweful T.V. and helped me find my creative side. So thank you and Elizabeth for helping me find my creative side!
And as far as who I want to be just like in a lot of ways it would be my sister, Nikkie, she is the sweetest, kindest woman I know and she gives all of her in her friendships and comitments.
My husband. He is really a true “hero” with awards and medals but the reason he is my hero is b/c he puts his family first and is the best daddy ever. I love him with all of my heart.
Well, I’m going straight to the top and say that would have to be God, first and foremost! I believe that he was my creator and continues to bless me everyday which is pretty darn heroic! A close second would have to be my parents. They taught me everything I know and I’m the person I am today because of them!
My Lord God & Jesus Christ…
I thought about earthly and I have many too many to count for so many different reasons…
so My Hero of alll Heros…
The Great God Almighty!! I am such a brat and it never ceases to amaze me how I could be FORGIVEN!!
ya know??!!
Artistically — you.
I tried to tell you a couple of years ago, but it was hard without getting choked up. I’ve been scrapbooking for almost 12 years, but it was so stagnant and boring and lifeless before you came along.
Your art and your style opened my eyes to this whole other way of creating.
Thank you for being totally inspiring.
I have different heroes for different things in my life. But they change a lot. So does that count?
Sounds cheesy,but my mom is my REAL hero!
Elsie, you are my hero! I love your art, your LO’s, your inspiration. You always make me smile, and make me wanna do creative things to. THX for that!!!
Jim Houser is great isn’t he?
as for heroes.
actually one of my friends is my hero. He wasn’t raised in the best of places. He got into street life (but not gangs…) but he’s one of the most talented, respectable, intelligent, well spoken people i know. he’s taught me alot about how i let others view me and how i’ve become more like him hahahaha……
My hero is my son he’s the wind beneath my wings for sure,he was born perfectly fine and at 18 months stopped talking and became “autistic” today at 17 he has Aspbergers and he has gone through so much but he keeps going,learning,getting better everyday and has the most open positive outlook in life I’ve ever seen,Nolan is my hero.
🙂 My sweet husband is my hero, he inspires the creativity in me and makes me want to live life to its fullest!
I would have to say my Father is my Hero. He was always adventurous and would go over and beyond for friends and family. I can honestly say that I have experienced more in my childhood than my adult life. My father became ill with Cancer. Never once did I hear him complain. I honestly never knew the cancer got so bad. It was the day that he was announced to not come out of his coma. Then I saw how sick he was. But he never let us know. He also wanted to work. He loved working, and I think not working was the hardest part for him. He is my hero, and I hope I can portray to my Children how wonderful he truly was.
Hmmm…I get what you are saying, but I think that falls into the category of idol or inspiration. That’s cool, but not heroic.
Marc Chagall is my idol artistically.
I’d catagorize being a hero as something totally different…someone who ‘inspires’ you to become a better person by their remarkably brave actions or courage.
When I think of a hero, I think of people who do things that I couldn’t muster the strength to do – anyone who works with the poor, people who dedicate their lives to a cause that has touched them somehow.
It’s one of those things that are hard to come by nowadays and it comes with a lot of confusion. Heroes really aren’t (very often) glamourous or in the spotlight and don’t demand attention. They just are and that helps make them remarkable.
Anyhow, as for my personal hero? It’s hard to say…my parents for sacrificing everything to make my life better, Mother Theresa for dedicating her life to the cause of helping others, anyone who works for Farm Sanctuary or any animal rights groups and tries to make lives better for defenseless creatures. These people are heroes in my book 🙂
my parents are my heros.
Sue:)
I don’t know that I have a Hero per se….but I admire a few people for sure.
My Grandma in law Dagmo Kusho Sakya is an amazing woman. She suffered alot when she had to leave Tibet due to military invasion (back in ’59) as she and her husband were important leaders there, but she made it through as a strong woman (it’s an interesting story really. she wrote a book called “Princess in the land of snows” if you’re interested) and she has so much grace. She is involved with the family monastary (Sakya monastary,Seattle,WA.) raises her family and is the nicest woman! so I look up to her.
Anne Rice is another person I look up to, she is so creative, smart and has a fantabulous imagination!!
There are more, but really, I’ve blabbered enough,lol.
great question Elsie!!! it’s interesting to read everyone else’s posts, so thanks for asking it!
My heroes are the women in my life. My mother and her strength, my grandmother and her wisdom, my sister and her wit, my other sister and her honesty, my ex gf and her loyalty, my daughter and her questioning of the world, and the women before me..Gloria Steinem, Susan B. Anthony…the women who fought to get me here today…so that I, as a woman could have a few choices and be whoever I wanted to be. Also women like you who take pride in yourself and your work and do it so beautifully that it keeps me reading week after week!! <3
My hero? Well, first, my parents for having the courage to leave their country to come to this one so that us kids can have a better life. Second, my fiance; he’s very honest, has strong opinions and isn’t afraid to stand by what he says, he says what he means and means what he says, and above all, he is one of the most patient and loving individuals I have ever know.
Thanks Elsie for reminding me of how important these people are to me!!!
my hero(s) are my parents and my DH parents. they taught my husband and i that families are built on love and trust and laughter. they taught us that money is secondary to respect, listening and family dinner. they taught us that hard work is necessary to solve the problems and handle the hard things. that every day isn’t a picnic, but that every day is filled with hope and love and that there will always be a tomorrow. with these tools we have raised a wonderful family of three daughters, two of which are on the verge of marriage themselves. my mom is 80, my DH’s mom is 85 and our dad’s are in heaven watching over us, and they are the best hero’s i have ever experienced in my life. they taught me that love is wonderful, laughter is wonderful and money is merely used to pay the bills…
thanks moms and dads…
My Mom is my hero. She’s the strongest person I know. She’s gone through many trials and tribulations in life and still wakes every day with a smile.
It is so odd, I looked back at this thread to see if anyone said anything new…and my comment wasn’t here! so i looked back and NONE of my comments are posted! I wonder why? it said it was posted hmm….anyways I’ll re-type it b/c I just LOVE this post, seeing everyone’s answer to this was so amazing. Thanks for asking this ? Elsie! I loved reading everyone’s posts!!
I don’t have a ‘hero’ per se, but I do admire some people, for many varied reasons. One person I am always in awe of is my grandmother (by marriage)Dagmo Kusho Sakya. She was forced to flee to India (and then to America~one of the first familes to do so!)from Tibet when communist soldiers came to invade their lands. She went through so much, from being royalty to being exiled from her own lands and took it all so well, never losing her grace and compassion. She wrote a book about it all (“Princess in the land of snows”) her life has been soooo amazing. She is such an amazing family woman, and is very involved with running the family monastery (The Seattle branch of the Sakya monastery) and yet she never complains. She is a natural at being a mother,wife and woman!!
My mom is my HERO! I tell you she has raised me right. She is the best mom ever. She is emotionally strong, graceful, caring and humble. She has been my best friend, mother and sister and has always supported me in all my decisions.
p.s. Elsie what is your email address I would like to ask you a question, mine is dulceamore@gmail.com.
I like your point! It is of wisdom.
I am new to this blog, I must admit it ranks up there among one of the most unique blog ideas I have ever seen.