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Friday, May 30, 2008

Pope John Paul XXIII











The last block received is a beautiful tribute to Pope John Paul XXIII, a man who contributed much not only to the Catholic Church but to many around the world. This square was done by Serena of http://Serenstitches.etsy.com.
Although Pope John XXIII was Pope for only 5 years, he is noted as the most popular and beloved Popes in the history of the Catholic Church. Through his many Councils, he was successful in bringing the religion to the people of today through his many changes of outdated customs and theory's. He also reached out to all other religions which he found was the basis of our own theology. Since his beatification (the process of being a saint) he is now known as "Blessed John XXIII".
This was a nice conclusion to a project which began 6 months ago, and now is completed. I am sure many of you who submitted your quilt squares so many months ago probably think I may have forgotten you; but each quilt, a work of art in itself, will be given the honor and love that was brought forth from each of you. Unfortunately many of those who originally had signed up for the Triumph and Tragedy Quilt decided not to submit something, but what I have received will be assembled into two beautiful works of art. I really do wish to thank all of you (I will be listing each participant with a picture of their contribution on my blog within a few days). In the meantime, I hope you all have been following the progress as I have received each block and immediately posted it here for all to see.
Sorry Serena, I didn't mean to take away from your glory - so I have posted your square of Pope John Paul XXIII to share with all. Again, thanks much for everyone bringing forth to our consciousness, their imaginative talents on a subject that meant something specifically to them, and has been a subject of importance to not only us, but most of the World.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tragedy: The Oklahoma Bombing









Who can ever forget the day of the Oklahoma Bombing. At 9:02 am on April 19,1995, I think the world stopped, as every news bulletin announced the bombing of the Oklahoma Government Building. 168 people were pronounced dead, 19 of them small children who had just been dropped off at the day-care center in the building. The one memory that always stays in my mind, as well as most other people, is the tragic picture of the Fireman coming out of the building with a small infant, one of the many casualties of that day. Cassie of "myheartandsew.etsy.com" choose that picture to memorialize the Oklahoma Bombing as a symbol of a Tragedy that many cannot forget. It is a beautiful addition to our Tragedy Quilt.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Artisan World-Catalogue II


This is a copy of my add from "Artisan World" Catalogue II. This is the second Catalogue put out by Artisanimpact.etsy.com; two very talented artisans, Oded and Ilan and their assistant, Ev - of whom I have written about often throughout my blog. About 80,000 catalogues are distributed throughout the world to different artists, jewelers, etc. - I wish them and all those whose ad's are represented in this beautiful Catalogue.

ps - Besides doing the Introduction & Bio once again, I was asked to write a 2-page article on the different types of art today; many of which correlate back almost 2,000 years.
Art: In an Artisan World
“Art is something that makes us more thoughtful and inspired.” When people use the term “Art”, what generally comes to mind is “visual art”; basically anything that stimulates the human senses, as well as the human mind. It is a way of communicating inner thoughts, emotions, and feelings through the many forms of the artistic world. Aristotle’s philosophy of art is classically defined as “that which when seen, pleases. Pleasure is the final cause of beauty and thus is not a means to another end, but an end in itself.”
Artisan World’s second catalogue’s goal is to bring to the consumer a “visual art” based on a particular artist’s ideas, experiences, emotions, expressions, and beliefs. These creations show beautiful, thought-provoking works in which the artist presents his own skills and techniques. The “visual expression” of their talents and ideas are then channeled into a creative piece which reaches out to the emotions of its admirer. As you view this Catalogue, remember that this is only a catalyst through which the imagination of each artist is brought forth, and a chance to experience the many varied forms of “artisans” today.
Art can be defined in many ways. “Fine art”, refers to those paintings whose sole purpose is to exist; while “decorative art”, is that which brings to life art in a practical form to ordinary objects of everyday life. Decorative art uses specific mediums in the creation of jewelry, textiles, woodworking, sculpting, and other creative works of art. Within this realm of what we call “decorative art” is another form called “encaustic art”, which dates back over 2000 years to Greek and Roman times.
Looking at a painting, think of how the artist uses the blending of colors or his brush. Different strokes of the brush, define different emotions that the particular artist may be feeling at that time. An artist using dark bold colors may reflect inner turmoil or a more forceful personality; an artist using delicate colors and stokes is emoting an inner sense of calm and beauty. All defined as “fine art”. “Craftsmanship” is an art which involves working with specific metals, such as gold, silver or copper to create pieces of jewelry or sculptures; a reflection of the person working to make a particular artistic form. “Encaustic art” dates back to ancient times when hot liquid colors were applied to walls by means of heated irons. Today, encaustic painting is produced through a process in which the colored wax is permanently ‘burned’ into an absorbent backing such as plaster, canvas or some woods while using special irons, or scribing tools. Many of the artists then design their work into an ACEO (Art Card Edition & Original).
A new subject gaining popularity among some artisans is referred to as “Eco-art”, which is defined by the ecological impact of the environment, in relation to the artist. The eco-artist will convey a particular artwork based on the defilement of the earth’s own environment. As one artist put it, “one person can make a difference; and character and environment are everything.” They find encouragement in creating new life for would-be discards. Another word describing this type of artwork would be “recycling.” “Graffiti Art” is another modern art form which can again be traced back to
Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. The graffiti artist will make use of materials consisting mainly of spray cans and markers to design elaborate wall paintings. Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries, while others consider it a form of vandalism. It is all in the eyes of the beholder!
A “polymer clay” artist uses various techniques to mold clay into a workable art. Although called clay, it is not something found in the earth, but is a polyvinyl chloride plastic. Tiny grains of the PVC are mixed with plasticizers and pigments to form the clay; then baked at the proper temperature forming a solid mass. Once the artist has found the right texture they need, they then design the clay into various creations. These creative art forms are in contrast to what we accept as conventional art, but in the end, all mediums of art convey the artists’ mental, moral, and imaginative experiences from within.
"Art is form and content”. “Form” takes on the elements of art, principles of design, and the physical materials that the artist uses. “Content” conveys what the artist meant to portray, and what he did portray. As you view this second edition of the “Artisan World” catalogue, you now have a better sense of the various techniques that the artists have used; their materials, their thoughts, their personalities, and the vision of the creation they wish to portray to you, the viewer.


Monday, May 19, 2008

Tragedy&Triumph: Adoption











For those of you who have thought we have forgotten about this project, I am about to begin the final stage of The Tragedy & Triumph Quilt Project.
"An ADOPTED Child is a BELOVED child"
This beautiful and poignant heart symbolizing Adoption was done by Heather of "babyannequilts.etsy.com". The heart in the center of the square represents the love for the adopted child by both the adoptive and biological parents. The two sides of the heart represents the two sets of parents, while the smaller heart represents the child. The pearl on the red side of the heart (directly opposite the tiny heart of the child) represents the tears and joys experienced by both sets of parents.
Around the heart are actual quotes, including the quote above, are from families involved in actual adoptions. Another beautiful quote is: "A Birthmother puts the needs of her child above the wants of her Heart. This square is not only beautifully done, but so beautiful in thought!



Thank you Heather.




Thursday, May 15, 2008

From My Shop

Monday, May 5, 2008

An American Hero











A few weeks ago I discovered what makes a true "American Hero". This is about Sergeant Merlin German, a young man who graduated Woodland's High School with my sons, Keith and Ryan in June 2003. Voted Home Coming King, Merlin entered the Marine's soon after graduating. Within a year of joining the Marine Corps, he had the distinction of being the first Private First Class to ever attend the Machine Gunner's Course. In the first 6 months of his deployment, Sergeant German had remarkably found 8 IED (improvised explosive devises).
On February 21, 2005 Merlin's squad was on a mission from Jordan to Baghdad, when their Humvee was struck by a gas-fed explosive. He was blown clear of the vehicle, and when found had been burned over 97% of his total body. Given no chance of survival, he was transferred to an Army Medical Unit in San Antonio, Texas. With that 3% chance of survival, Merlin made it his motto - "Got 3% Chance of Living- What you gonna do?"
Sergeant German fought bravely for a little more than 3 years before he passed away on April 11, 2008. Instead of worrying about his own survival, he developed his dream during that time. It was a vision of starting a burn unit for children called "Merlin's Miracles". During this time
Sgt German never once lost his sense of humor; and what makes me even prouder was to see all his friends (many of whom I have known since they were very young) stand by him through his whole ordeal. Merlin even designed his own t-shirt which on the front was his "3% motto" and on the back lists his ideals, and then signed the shirt. The proceeds of his special shirt will go to help fund his dream "Merlin's Miracles". To me and all his classmates who showed up at his Memorial the other evening at their High School, he exemplifies a true American Hero.
His foundation can be found at www.merlinsmiracles.com