yep...

I still believe in miracles...

"There's nothing but miracles 
beyond your door..."

Insane Clown Posse

Start Here

People who know me have heard me talk for a really long time about starting an Art Project in my town similar to a program like Art From the Streets in Austin, TX (you can click on the link to the right under Good Stuff to see what it is all about). AFTS is a program that provides a safe and encouraging environment for homeless people to express themselves through Art.  Once a year, the Art is sold at a big show and the money raised goes directly to the artists, enabling them to afford things like rent and medicine.  The whole Art Sale is really cool,  but I think the benefits of the project are way bigger than just selling Art:   

• Making Art helps people to realize they are uniquely created and are creative.  This increases dignity and self-worth.
• Art is healing. 
• Art opens up opportunities to talk about Life:  making Art encourages deep communication (many things are shared from the heart while the hands are busy painting)
• Community Art helps cultivate healthy relationships with others.  
• Art and coffee go together...and cookies.  Only good things can come from a combination of Art, Coffee, and Cookies

In the past few weeks, an opportunity has arisen to put this crazy idea into motion.  The head of the local food pantry in town has given me permission to use warehouse space at their facility.   She has listened to all my crazy talk and thinks I should go for it.   Many of the artists that would participate in the Project also receive food from the pantry.  From volunteering there, I've gotten to know many of them.  When I throw the Art Project idea out to them, a lot of them tell me they loved painting as a child and they actually act excited about making Art with me.  

eeek!  

I also received a call from one of the members of the Board of Directors at Art From the Streets.  He said I can come to Austin anytime I want and he would be glad to let me participate in their Tuesday/Thursday class to see how they run it.  He will also meet with me and answer any questions that I have.  

eeek!

I've been mulling all of this over for a couple of weeks.  So many 'problems' exist:  there isn't any water in the section of the warehouse where we would be painting...I don't have enough supplies, like tables and easels.....I stink at teaching.... there isn't any air-conditioning.... this is a stupid idea....I stink at teaching..... 

AND I don't know where to begin.

the new painting that emerged while pondering this Art Adventure

start here
36x48, mixed media on canvas

here?

After working through this painting, I've come to the conclusion that I really do know where to begin.  The X has made itself very obvious:   I need to buy a ticket to Austin, Texas, and get this show on the road...   

EEEEK!

 The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. 

"Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked.

"Begin at the beginning," the King said gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop."

Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Chapter 12

Art and Chance

While photographing my latest painting, Toby took a seat right in front and, quite by accident, this is the beautiful result: 

Portrait of Tobold Hornblower with Abstract Art

"There is no accident, just as there is no beginning and no end."

Jackson Pollock, crazy good artist who died in an accident

ARGGGHHH!

"Are you sure it isn't time for a colorful metaphor?"

Spock 

The Voyage Home

All this

in just 7 days?

Old friends were reunited

Coffee was consumed & ideas were exchanged

Toby fell in Love
(size doesn't matter when Love is involved)

Art was shared

Cemeteries were explored

Inspiration was absorbed
(and photographed while in a moving car)

Eyebombs happened

and happened again 

and again....

Frida was experienced

Movies were viewed
PETITIONS WERE SIGNED!
(http://www.takepart.com/place-at-the-table)

Food Bank gardens were worked
(http://www.chattfoodbank.org)

and Paintings were finished!
(Seriously, how did that happen?)
moo.
number 53, mixed media on canvas, 30x30

Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

Helen Keller

Some days

you just give in and play the Commodores

"Don't fight the feeling..."  

Lionel Richie - lead singer of the Commodores, 

one of Toby's favorite Sunday morning groups 

*for your own Commodore fix, click here.   I'm off to sew some fringe on my t-shirt.... 

Let's Run Amok!

I follow several artists' blogs, and Marc Johns is my one of my favorites.  I've purchased a couple of his prints; mostly because at first they make me smile but on closer look they make me thoughtful...and often they remind me of my boys and their sense of humor.  

Today I am reblogging his blog (I think that is that how it is worded in the blogging world).  His Art is great advice for working in the studio.  Today, I'm going to "embrace imperfection and see what happens":

Let's make a mess. Taste a little chaos. Throw away the grid. Change the font. Spill the ink. Play the guitar with a missing string. Make art with cardoard boxes. Take a chance. Don't judge or question or filter it. Let it out. Make mistakes. Write with the wrong hand. Give it shot. Embrace imperfection. See what happens.

Reach as high as you can, and then reach a little higher.  

There you will find magic and possibility.  And maybe even cookies.  

Marc Johns, www.marcjohns.com

Hoppy Easter!

You think I'm not serious just because I'm wearing bunny ears?!  

"A joke is a very serious thing. " 

Winston Churchill - British Prime Minister, cigar aficiando, friend of the Doctor

Broken

While strolling around the streets of this city, I find inspiration for Art in the most unexpected places.

Yesterday, love was like that too: showing up in an unpredicted way; coming from one I least expected...
  

broken
mixed media on canvas
30x30

"The words of the prophets are written on 

the subway walls and tenement halls..."

Paul Simon - poet, musician and inspiration for graffiti artists everywhere

Oh Happy Day!