a trip to cleveland with an unexpected suprise

this past week we took a trip to cleveland, ohio to visit the recently renovated art museum. the renovation is not complete, but there was still plenty to see. we were drawn to an exhibit of american indian art. there were some quotes from indian artists that i would like to share here:

"greet your mother earth when you pass us on the road of life. then you give her food and cornmeal, and then, in return, she gives you her flesh, the pieces of clay as her flesh, in order for you to reproduce something of use - a blessing." zuni prayer for gathering clay.

"artists today are so self-conscious......they go into their studio with these big plans in their heads about what they're going to do.....i feel however, that art comes from a deeper source somewhere - it's part of the act of just living, you know, let's put on the beans, and get the clay out." rina swentzell, santa clara pueblo.

and there was another room in the exhibit containing some of the exquisite beadwork done by the lakota indians. in one of the commentaries was the lakota saying: 'something sacred wears me'.

something sacred wears me - something sacred wears me - i thought about that the rest of the day, and am still thinking of it off and on. it was an unexpected suprise - to see that american indian exhibit and be deeply moved by it, when i went with the intention of viewing my 'favorite' things.

something sacred wears me - a good topic for my next blog.

a plan for life by mother theresa

i found this 'plan for life' in a book i have and would like to share it.

a plan for life by mother theresa:

people are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
forgive them anyway.
if you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
be kind anyway.
if you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
succeed anyway.
if you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
be honest and frank anyway.
what you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight.
build anyway.
if you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous.
be happy anyway.
the good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
do good anyway.
give the world the best you have , and it may never be enough.
but give the world the best you've got anyway.
you see, in the final analysis, it is all between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.

soul collage

i have recently been introduced to the art-making process of soul collage. you can read about it on the official soul collage website. just google soul collage and the web address will come up. i am attracted to it since it combines the process of art making and personal transformation which has been a natural process for me throughout my life. as a self-taught, 'folk' artist, it speaks to me on a personal level, and is closely aligned with my artistic statement. i may write more on this later.