I have always loved going to the circus. I know that circuses have had their ups and downs over the years and have quite rightly experienced major reforms in recent years to ensure humane treatment of animals and safer, better working conditions for employees. However, my distant memories from circuses of long ago are all about the exotic performers in their sparkly costumes, the death-defying acts of strength and skill, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy – sensory overload!!! I distinctly remember my mild sadness when my own children began to feel they were too grown up and sophisticated to enjoy this “childish” form of entertainment and our annual visits came to an end. But NOW, my grandchildren adore the circus, so the fun starts all over again! On this recent visit, we were all bubbling over with excitement, the colored lights painted our faces as if we were clowns, the grandsons tried to outdo each other making silly faces; it was a perfect little happy bubble in the stream of time. Later, as I worked to capture that moment in colored pencil, it occurred to me that at its best, the circus turn us all into clowns for a brief spell – reveling in our own joyful silliness – transformed once more into happy children filled with wonder.