Airplane Girl

(this image was created by and is owned by Jeff Turley and the Walt Disney Animation Studios)

I'll admit it. Airplane Girl was partially inspired by the Disney short film, Paperman, an award-winning seven-minute piece of brilliant storytelling released with the feature film Wreck-It Ralph. If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it.

I've always enjoyed Disney's short films, but Paperman was an instant addition to my favorites. And when I found Silhouette Girl tugging at my mental sleeve, begging to send a message to the world, Paperman was one of the things that came to mind. I also considered filling the drawing with flowers, birds, snowflakes, or little fireworks, but the paper planes caught my heart. Thanks, Disney!

So what is our beloved Silhouette Girl saying in this drawing? Is she looking for someone, or something? Is she announcing something? Is she even saying words at all, or is she simply making paper airplanes to share a bit of her childish spirit? As with so many other questions revolving around her, I leave the answer up to you.

A lovely friend of mine took this picture of Airplane Girl and put it on Instagram with some incredibly kind words, and ever since this drawing has kind of been in her honor. I can't see it without thinking of her constant encouragement. In my imagination, Silhouette Girl is sending letters of encouragement, in honor of my friend with the Instagram.

On an unrelated note, I've made Tornado Girl and Lightning Girl reproductions available in larger sizes at the good ol' Etsy shop, CaileysArt. Tornado Girl is now available as a 4"x6", 8"x12", or 12"x18" print, and Lightning Girl is available as an 8"x10" or 11"x14" print. I ordered a sample of each and I absolutely love the new, bigger sizes! If these do well I plan to add new sizes for a bunch of other pieces, too. 

-Cailey