Hands

As artists, we know that one of the greatest gifts we have is our hands.  With that said, one of the most positive things that came out of January was a confirmation about my hands.  I spent the tale-end of December, January, and February doing physical therapy for my hand.  My right hand has had issues since 1988.  And with recent work changes, my workload had jumped exponentially.  Because of that, I just didn’t have enough sense to take breaks during the work day.  So, I would just pound away, hour upon hour upon hour, trying to get everything done.  But, my hand knew there was a problem with that.  And in early December, I started back doing physical therapy twice per week (through the holidays and into the New Year). 

 

As this had been a long term issue, I had to take a test at the end of January.  It was an EMG.  One of the most painful things I have ever had to do.  As they tested both hands, they hurt for two days after the testing that went on for a full 30 minutes.  The singular positive thing was at the end I had a diagnosis and the knowledge that I don’t have to have surgery!!!  YES!!! 

 

Because I had been doing all this physical therapy, I have done limited art work over the last several months.  But, this art piece due to the image and subject matter, truly resonated with me today.  And I wanted to share it with you.  I created only two, one for my dear friend Kelly Kilmer and one for myself.  Kelly loves hands and is very knowledgeable about the politics of the day.  I think she is awesome and I enjoyed making this transfer collage for her.  

 

With that said, this art is now much more symbolic for me about being a mother, wanting peace for my children, and wanting peace for myself.  Now that I know I don’t have to have surgery, I have found a little Peace.

The Shooting

The Shooting

 

January had an intense start to the New Year!  Work was crazy as well.  And my boy’s gymnastics season kicked off.  It was two meets, with one being at Disney World.  It was an amazing week in Disney World.  My youngest thought it was the coolest thing ever to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and many more characters.  And my son took 5^th place (for his age group) overall during the meet.  The great thing is that I can now reflect on these things.  I can reflect on and spend time with my children and know that they are healthy and loved.  But, for the briefest moments on January 4^th, 2009, I thought I would not get to spend another moment with my children.

 

I left my house at about 11:20 am MST, headed down our dirt road.  I have run that same road for almost 8 years.  I was headed south and had past at least 4 houses.  As I came over the tiny hill near our friend’s house, I could hear gun fire.    I have grown use to hearing gun fire, as we live in the county and shooting on your property is legal and acceptable.  Until that moment, the one thing I have always assumed is that my neighbors (while doing shooting practice) were practicing safe shooting habits. 

 

At 11:30 am MST, I realized I had been tremendously naïve.  All at once, I heard not one, not two, but three bullets whistle in front of me.  In that split second, I realized I was under fire.  I dropped down on the road in the dirt and started screaming STOP Shooting!!!   STOP Shooting!!!    Please STOP Shooting!!!   At the top of my lungs, I screamed and screamed and screamed.  And the shooting continued.  I could hear bullets ricochet off rocks that were closed to my head.  And all the while I kept screaming STOP Shooting!!!  

 

Some how I realized it wasn’t going to stop.  So, I got enough wherewithal, found my cell phone, and called home.  The phone just rang and rang.  I knew my husband was there.  But, it just rang and rang.  Finally, he picked up the phone.  And I just started screaming, please come get me.  They are shooting at me.  I was hysterical, there is no doubt. 

 

He threw our kids in the car and drove out to where I was.  The gun fire finally stopped.  I now suspect it was because they could see our car coming.  I could barely get in the car, because I was so frighten that I could still be shot.  When we got home, all I could do was lay down.  My kids were so worried about me; they didn’t know what to say.  My husband was so mad; he didn’t know what to do with himself.  He asked where the shots were coming from, I told him where I thought they came from. 

 

He tried to contact the owners, but their number was disconnected.  He called our other neighbors that live two doors north of the house.  One is a police officer here locally.  She called and spoke to the owners and discovered that their children were outside shooting.  The mother had no idea that they were firing at the dirt road. 

 

When she would subsequently question her son, he indicated that he didn’t know I was out there.  Or that he had fired at me. 

 

I can tell you now that life is extraordinarily brief.  And we can go outside just worried about our everyday lives and by someone else action, what is most dear to you can be taken from you.  It took me three weeks, before I could run on our dirt road again.  It has taken even more to feel remotely secure about running on our dirt road. 

 

But, this is the one thing I know.  I have been chased by my neighbors’ dogs, I have just missed stepping on countless rattlesnakes and I have just been missed twice by my neighbors’ speeding down our dirt road.  And I keep running.  And I will keep running!!!  As Americans have a constitutional right to own and carry arms, I too have a right to run on our dirt road.

The Christmas Tree & Other Realizations

Along with my commitment to give back, December was a tough month, due to work and health reasons.  Now you add on top of that shows and Christmas and I was so excited to see Christmas break starting at 12.19.08, I didn’t know what to do with myself. 

 

The low lights of December were that I finally realized/acknowledge that I had gained almost 30 lbs and my tendonitis in my right hand was becoming acutely painful.  I would ultimately rejoin (with commitment Weight Watchers) and file for Workman’s Comp for my hand. 

 

The highlights of December were the Christmas tree almost fell over about two weeks prior to Christmas Day!  We had to strap it to our stair banister, until we could take the entire tree apart and reset it up.  It was very very funny!!  The tree sat at a 45 degree angle for about 5 days (work was crazy!!!).  :O) 

 

The next coolest thing was that I decided that I would do 10 charitable things before the end of 2008.  Check out my blog that just preceded this one.

 

The most coolest thing was how excited the kids were when they came down and discovered Santa had been at the house and ate his cookie and drank his milk.  And then he left them fun toys and boring clothes!!!  It was a good day for them and for us.  December was a mix of highs and lows, but it reminds us of what is truly important.

Ten Acts of Kindness

With all the excitement around the election and volunteering to support it, after everything was over, I wanted to carry on the hope it instilled.  And as all of us have watched the world financial system meltdown and listen to all the on-going job loss statistics and business closures, I realized how thankful I am right now.  So, with that said, I came to grips that I needed to do what I could to contribute to my own community and fellow man. 

 

In December, I set myself a challenge to do at least ten Acts of Kindness or contributions.  And in the process, I shared it with my friends and co-workers as one of my goals.  As I put it out there, new ideas came in and I inspired some of my buddies to do the same.  Here is what my family and I have done so far:

 

• Purchased $5 meal vouchers for needed families through the Vitamin Cottage
• Purchased books that local kids have picked out (for their Christmas presents) at Barnes and Noble  
• Purchased books for my children’s school library through a special program at Barnes & Noble
• Contributing to two Adopt a Family for the Holidays through friends at work
• Asked my two closest friends to skip sending me a Christmas gift and instead contributing the money to their favorite charities
• Contributing to my friend’s fund raiser to purchase a goat for a family in Latin America
• Contributed to Salvation Army

 

And with two additional contributions, I left 2008 with Hope and my goal is to inspire Hope in 2009.  My Ten Acts of Kindness has been a good start.

November & December 2008

San Francisco & NYC

 

November was a whirlwind this year.  Between the election, two business trips, my mother’s visit, Thanksgiving, and putting up the Christmas tree, I am exhausted.

 

I wanted to highlight my two trips this month and share some things to do the next time you are in the two cities.

 

I flew out to San Francisco the day after the election.  When I got to the airport, I purchased every paper they had.  I read every election page in the NY Times on the flight.  And I will be honest I cried at least half the flight.  I was so shocked, overjoyed, elated, and stunned, that our country would actually vote for someone that spoke about Hope, instead of fear and had a plan on how to dig us out of the worst mess since 1929.  I am still amazed.

 

As I grew up in California, I always feel so good when I get back to Northern Cal.  And to meet up with the team and to share how excited we all were about the results was just awesome.  We checked into the hotel and grabbed lunch.  We then worked until 7:30 pm that night.  It was a really long day starting at 3 am PST.  But, we learned a lot about our customers, which was the whole point of the endeavor. 

 

We headed off then to dinner at CoCo 500 .  It was a great meal; my best friend recommended the place.  Then off to the hotel and to crash.  

The next evening I spent the evening with my best friend and his partner.  We had the best Thai dinner in the Castro.  I just love San Francisco.

Mixed Media Monday: The Little Book of Hope

Two fun challenges in a row!!  I really liked this week’s challenge.  I originally was going to do a more traditional ornament.  But, I was so taken by my class last week with Kelly last week and all that has happened this month; I decided to do a Little Book of Hope.  

 

I picked some of my most festive decorative papers.  Then I created the cover using two cool papers and adding this little piece of left over fringe for the bottom.  I then stitched the book together to create a Fukoro Toji (see last week’s Mixed Media post).  Right before I stitched the book together I placed ribbon down the middle to create the hanger for the book.  As I commented a few months ago, “your thoughts create your future”.  As such, inside of my little book of Hope, I am collaging all the things that I hope for now and in the future.  This just puts a smile on my face and lifts my spirit.

 

What a cool challenge for the week.  I hope all of you have a great week!

Sunday Postcard Art: The Geisha’s Hat

This is my first time posting to Sunday Postcard Art.  I found the site several months ago, but just never could get it together.  So I was bound and determined to post this weekend.  And although it is late on Sunday, I am going to do it. 

 

I loved the idea of a hat and I am really focused on Asian images right now.  So, I searched for an image that might have a hat and I found this fabulous image from ARTchix Studio.  Helga has fabulous images and this one is one of my favorites. 

 

I used decorative papers as the background for her and laid that on top of a tea stand postcard from a Japanese restaurant catalog.  Then I used ribbon to pick up the color in her kimono and create a focal point.  Then finally, I used metal bits from Creative Underground to anchor the collage.

 

The piece came out pretty cool.  I am going to mount it on a larger canvas ultimately.  How fun!!!

Mixed Media Monday

I have missed posting in Mixed Media Monday.  So, while I was in Kelly Kilmer’s class this weekend, I worked on my submission.  I created a journal page in my new Fukoro Toji we made during class.  At first, I was really spun up with doing something anatomical based on the description.  Then it occurred to me, I could create something with body parts!! 

 

So, I found this amazing shot of Beyonce.  And I loved this page from an old French book.  I thought we could look behind the eyes to see secrets, hence the title selection.  I used decorative paper tape that I backed with paper and then cut out the beautiful lacy scallops that reach beyond the page. 

 

I am so thrilled I could take her class and create my first entry in a long time, it was a very good day!

The Release of Peace: The Block

I have had one of the best weekends, outside of the Obama Rally a few weeks ago.  It was great.  I took three classes from Kelly Kilmer.  I mentioned her earlier this week.  She teaches awesome, creative, innovative classes all around journal making and journaling.  She has been published several times and teaches all over the US. 

 

I took Snippets – A Unique Artist Book, Goin’ Postal, and Fukoro Toji or Little Bound Book.  She brings practically everything (i.e. paints, papers, images,  pens, awls, gel medium, stamps, super cool tapes, and awesome Japanese pens, etc.)  So it makes taking classes super easy from her. 

 

I am showing one of the two postcards I made in Goin’ Postal.  It is a really symbolic for me.  Since the car accident in August, I have been unable to do art.  Between doctor visits, physical therapy, company restructuring, general life stuff, I just haven’t had the ability to do any art.  I would have ideas, but just couldn’t do anything with them.  And I have been truly distressed about it. 

 

Somehow I knew that if I could get started creating again, I would feel so much better.  Every since Kelly taught at the Artists’ Nook in 2004, I have taken classes from her every single year.  She always brings something fresh and knew, every year.  And this year was no exception.  And I knew that if I could take a class from her, it would be a great way to restart creating.  And I was right.  I feel so much better, I can not tell you how blessed I feel that she was here this weekend.

 

If you ever get a chance to take a class from her, do it!  She is awesome whether you are a novice or an advanced artist.  You will love it AND Kelly too!!

My Show on 11.7.08

Tomorrow, I will have my art show at the Artists’ Nook in Bellvue, Co.  And I will also have work in the adjoining Fine Antiques Store owned by the awesome Bev Perina.  I honestly can’t wait for the show.  I am not sure how many folks will show up.  But whatever happens I will be excited.  My mother will be in attendance.  It will be the first time since I started showing, on April 9^th, 2007, she has been able to attend a show.  I think it is fitting she will be here for my last two shows of the year. 

 

It will be one of the few shows that I will be able to have all my work in a single venue.   I’ll have my originals, prints, t-shirts, and books.  It will also be very cool, because one of my dear friends will be teaching just across the street. 

 

Kelly Kilmer will be here.  She is a great great artist and even a better friend.  I am excited she will be able to be there as well. 

 

This show has so many reasons to be excited for beyond my family and friends.  In one of my earliest posts, I mentioned two women that were pivotal in starting me back on the path to art.  They are Christine Webb and Christi Wich.  Christine is hosting this show and continues to remind me of how my work has evolved into something great.  Both ladies have created amazing spaces for artists to thrive and grow artistically and as people.  If you are ever in town please stop at there shops, they are both great great ladies!

 

I will let you know how the show goes this weekend.