"There are so many reasons behind creative pieces. Some start with an urge or a feeling - or a specific emotion - or an experience - or an inspiring setting - a memory - a random thought or maybe just a whim!. I feel most come from somewhere deep inside of the artist and I am trying to share some of that with you!" - Edwin Danowski

The above explanation only begins to scratch the surface of the creative force that is Racine's Danowski family. Edwin, or Ed, is the patriarch of this family of nine, which includes painters, writers, and artists in a variety of media. His words are part of the introduction to Ed's latest creation - a book of stories and poems for people of all ages called "The Green Turkey and Other Holiday Classics."

Although it was recently published, Ed's book is not only the culmination of years of writing and storytelling, but a lifetime of creative expression that dates back to his early childhood. Growing up in South Milwaukee and Oak Creek, the author and painter remembers getting a lot of artistic encouragement from his parents.

"I remember sitting on my father's knee while he would hold my hand and help me draw," Ed said. "And that was well before I went to kindergarten."

As an adult, Ed went on to hone his skills by observing, listening and learning everything he could about drawing and painting from professional artists both in this community and beyond. While building a very successful career for himself in the corporate world of SC Johnson, the Marquette University graduate managed to find time to paint (his work has been shown in exhibits such as Watercolor Wisconsin); co-author a humorous cartoon called "Happast VII" and invent games. And, as his parents did, he shared his curiosity and enthusiasm for all things creative with his children.

Chips off the block

One of those children is Jeff Danowski, who now lives in Illinois with his wife Sonia and daughter Kira Rosa, and is the author of three books. Jeff's success with his first book, a holiday story of hope and kindness called "The Teddy Bear Necklace" (2005), inspired him to publish a two-volume anthology of his poetry called "In Flying Colors" this year.

The author says his parents were instrumental in planting and sowing the seeds of creativity in his life.

"My father spent a lot of time with us growing up," said Jeff. "He'd turn off the television and tell us 'Let's do a story.' We'd all sit in a circle and each person would have a chance to add something to the story."

Just as much inspiration came from his Mom, Mardell Danowski, whose passion is craft work, including everything from cross stitch to ceramics.

"My mom would make all homemade Christmas ornaments for us and she also appreciated good writing," said Jeff. "She would read everything we wrote and critique it for us. From the time we were young, we were encouraged to write."

Ed, too, did his share of creative writing while his children were growing up. While traveling around the world for his job, he would spend time on the airplane writing stories for his kids. Those stories, along with some he has written for his 11 grandchildren in his retirement - and other of his life's reflections - are the basis for his book, which he hopes will be shared by readers young and old.

Those who read Ed's book can also get a glimpse into the talent of some of his other children, from the artwork gracing its cover. The watercolor of "The White Wolf of Christmas" is by Jeff's brother Don, a nationally recognized painter who works as an art director for The Bradford Exchange; and the "Holy Spirit" painting is by the Danowskis' youngest son, Greg.

The Danowskis' other children, Cheri and Dan, also express themselves creatively - Cheri in watercolor and sculpture and Dan in metals and jewelry. Even the two young women from China, Mandy and Ting, who the Danowskis have considered part of their family for the last 10 years, are artists. The family originally met Mandy and Ting through an art Web site and after considerable correspondence with them, traveled to meet them and their parents. Since then, the two families have become very close, with art as their bond, Ed said.

"We are like their second parents," he said.

Sharing memories

Their global family, which also includes spouses and grandchildren from Honduras, Taiwan and Korea, is another example of the Danowskis' open arms way of looking at the world. There is so much more to the story of their family, but if one word could be chosen to express not only the Danowskis' creative work, but their attitude toward life, it would be heartfelt.

On a tour through their Mount Pleasant home, with its abundance of artwork and momentos, Ed told story after story of his family's many shared experiences, all of which helped shape the Danowski clan into the talented, loving entity it is today. It was his children's desire for others to know some of their story - especially the parts of it written by their father - that inspired Ed to publish "The Green Turkey and Other Holiday Classic," he said.

"If nothing else, Jeff told me I should do it for the grandchildren."

Jeff said he hopes the books - both his Dad's and his own - encourage others to explore their own creative sides.

"People will say to me 'Oh, you are so talented,' and I tell them 'I'm just like you'," said Jeff, who used to work as a journalist. "I ask them, 'Have you ever tried writing anything?'. Everyone has hidden talents and can do something for the good. Creativity just takes time to develop. You can't expect to be Charles Dickens on the first try."

Both he and his father are already working on future books, and seeing the wealth of what they and the rest of the family have created so far, it is hard to imagine the productivity of the Danowskis slowing down any time soon.

Ed Danowski's paintings can be viewed at Racine's Cobblestone Ltd. Gallery, 415 Sixth St., as well as on the gallery's Web site at http://www.cobblestoneltd.com