Congratulations! You've Received the Thinking Blogger Award

I am deeply honored to have been selected by Mariana Musa to receive the Thinking Blogger Award. I was feeling a bit verklempt because I'm sure you all know I'm one of Mariana's biggest fans and really, the honor should be reversed. Thanks Mariana!

In keeping with the tradition, I need to pass along the award to five other deserving bloggers. According to Ilker Yoldas, its founder, I should select "blogs with real merits, i.e. relative content, and above all - blogs that really get you thinking!" There are so many to choose from and all very deserving, but after much thought, I've selected five ...

The first one that comes to mind is DRB's Daily Art (mas o menos). Not only is D's artwork incredible, but I learn something new about art, nature, or just another way of thinking with each visit. I really like the way he shares his artwork both visually and mentally. His blog truly makes me think!

One of the very first blogs I ever visited is Liz's Woolgathering, at the suggestion of her brother. Liz fills the pages of her sketchbook with daily musings and delicately painted artwork. It was at her site that I discovered a culture of artists brought together by the sheer joy of drawing and painting. It felt like coming home! Thanks for that inspiration Liz!

Maria is also very deserving of this award. It was on her blog Keep on Keepin' on that I found a woman who enjoys painting as much as I do! Her writings are always accompanied by wonderful drawings of people and things around her. I love the glimpses of her life that she shares with everyone every single day.

One recent discovery is Kathleen Reitz's blog. She's an incredible illustrator and an inspiration to me. She is such a busy artist and art teacher yet finds time to paint and draw. Her children's book illustrations are remarkable and so beautiful.

Anita Davies hails from the UK and in her wonderfully British humor, shares her beautiful artwork and witty writings. My favorite is her location sketchbook that she fills with wonderful images of the UK. More illustrations can be found at her website.

The participation rules are simple:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative gold version if silver doesn't fit your blog).