Beelieve

jump

i am jumping right into the new year with another collage a day project month

these collages, as before, will be for sale right here on the blog via paypal 

all proceeds to go to Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY in honor of "poverty in America awareness month"

2 fast years ago i did this and it was an honor with your help to send $120 to the food bank

without further fuss this is from day one

4x4 inch mixed media collage

 Fabriano 100% cotton paper

$12.00

free shipping

 

SOLD

love ya, mean it!!

a 5k, a cause, and a chance to win a prize :)

i know you haven't seen a lot of me lately...i am always on the run...or running.  some days it seems i am running in place but not this time.  i have decided to enter my first 5k...countdown is on and i am ready!

well...maybe not quite...here is where i beg and bribe

you see there is the genetic condition called MPS (Mucopolysaccharidoses) and the whole race is dedicated to raise money for cures, research and help to families affected by it.  Currently there is no cure...and not nearly enough awareness.  if i chose to,  i  could jerk those tears right out of your eyes this very minute...but i'm not going to.   We are going to think positive because i need those vibes and so do the families affected by MPS.   I will also disclose that i know a family affected by it, which is how i learned about how rare it is and how little funding goes to it

the cool coincidence in all this is that a little birdy told me i was ready to run my first 5k.  i surfed to find a nearby one...on a day i had off...that did not start too early....and WHAMO...just like that i found one and was all sorts of excited...my first one...woo hoo...then i saw the cause and tears started rolling out of my eyes...how perfect...how utterly perfect that the universe picked this race for me....SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...i have to do more!

i am raising as much money as i can by begging friends/family/coworkers for donations...still not enough

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....

i am raffling off this perfect little ki-ki birdy painting who told me a thing or 2 about balance

 

ENTER TO WIN HERE:

i am asking for donations and anyone who donates here will be automatically entered in a drawing to win this painting  on Sunday September 26th

if you prefer to make a donation directly to the race you can do so by following the link near the bottom of the page here and just email me a copy of your receipt to be eligible to have your name entered to win..

Any amount you can offer will be fine, but it is a 5k and in my most humble opinion is at least worth $5 or more...oh...and the art is an original painting by me...love ya, mean it!

 

 

i have never used one of these handy dandy donation buttons so please feel free to let me know if there is a problem...and sorry about any grammar errors...i'm pooped...gotta save my energy for running :)

In Memory of an Angel on Earth ~*~

"Supporting a future that holds no place for cancer." - Terry Brindle

Terry Brindle, a friend and angel on earth 53 passes away peacefully at her home, Wednesday, September 30, 2009. 

It was a long battle, and she triumphed many times

She taught Sunday school, was also a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and was very active with its Relay for Life. She also was a speaker at Making Strides for Breast Cancer and Zonta's Breast Cancer Awareness Program.

Terry's "Team Brindle" was the Relay for Life team that pushed me into making more art and selling it for a cause when another close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer as well.  Terry made angels by the 1000's and sold them all to support the cause.  I am a better person for knowing her and the fact that she left the day before a month dedicated to raising awareness for a cause has really affected me in ways I can not explain.  If there were to only be one photo of mine to be explored, it would be this one and the importance of angels who help us to shift our focus.  I will not be spending as much time here for a while as I need to shift my focus as well.  I promise to check in on you and will still add photos as well but who I am and what I am doing is not as important as what I do, who I love, and my art.

So to her immediate family, Nanner and  Barb and I would like to share this picture with you...

I love this smile i captured at this past relay for life....she was pushing her granddaughter around the track in the survivor walk...she was physically weak there....but she never showed it!  A true angel on earth!!!

I am sooooooooooo excited about Terry's artistic flare as she worked together with a local leather company to create some luxury handbags called "The Angel Collection" which was already scheduled to be launched this month for Breast Cancer awareness. I hope TL Townsend Leather  updates their website soon because these are gorgeous bags!!!

look at the detail, this is Terry's quote embossed on the inside pocket!

I am also including a link for Terry's Relay for Life team  for anyone who would like to donate.   

If there is anyone who reads this and has any updated links please let me know or include them in the comment section!

Relay for Life 2009~Paper Crane Story

Last night was our local Relay for Life, the fuel that keeps me going.  I am still processing it all.  The energy will keep going for a very long time.

One of the first things I had hoped to see were the paper cranes made by a local middle school.  The story is so heartwarming.

Inspired by  The Sadako story , one sixth grader started folding paper cranes for her wish for a cure to cancer.  It is Japanese legend that if you fold 1000 paper cranes your wish will become true.

We beelieve in wishes coming true.  The cranes were gifts for donations, so as Pajama Girl filled up a bag she listened to the legend.

and sent her wishes along with mine on wings to the heavens to be answered.

I will share more photos soon.

About page

I have been busy with all sorts of things lately, one of which is an "about" page for my friend who is auctioning my "Think Positive" piece.  Here is what I came up with, if you click on it it will take you to Flickr where you will be able to view all sizes. 

I over slept a bit today so my blogging time was cut short....hopefully more on Bee Spotting late tonight!  Have a great day!

Think positive...

...for a cure to cancer!

I have so many words that need to come out for this newest art piece of mine. I think I will have to write about it in a few smaller posts.  My friend Kim in CT asked if in lieu of donating money to her Relay for Life team would I be able to create an art piece that they could purchase for a discount and auction it.  I responded, "NO WAY!....I will create a piece for FREE" (for those who have followed me all along or have been to my about page you know that is was the Relay for Life that gave me the push to make my business official)

My personal challenge was to create a piece that would be bright, have depth and meaning as well as go with a variety of interiors. 

 My message needed to be broad, covering all aspects of life an not just the Relay.  It needed to be positive..."that's it", the light bulb went of.  It needed to be POSITIVE!  What could be more positive than...

"+"

  Exciting  since I am seeing the "first aid" or red cross sign everywhere these days.  I automatically think "help is on the way".  Who is it that helps?  Are we always waiting for "that other person" to step up and help, or are we the first in line to help?  If you have ever witnessed a Relay for Life, you know the answer to that.  Millions of people pulling together to raise awareness and money for a cure.  If you have been there, you have experienced the emotion and yes the positive energy.  If you have walked with a survivor, that energy is 100 times as strong.  Their energy stems from believing in a cure...that cure stems from the money that is raised...which all circles back to us.  The one that helps...the one who steps forward and is first in line. I also invite you to my post from last year, where I shared the best I could, my feelings and motivation for this cause.

I had to...

 

in this piece as I created it.  Then, Victor Hugo came to mind with a quote I kept jotted down for a different idea.

"Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings"

I may not have wings, but I do have paint ,brushes and a whole lot of other art materials to work with so I added a bird, a branch and that very positive quote.

Words are "carved" into the background.  They are all words that can be followed by the word "positive".  "believe" "think" and "love" to be exact.    I have even used the word "think" again in a leaf on the branch.  I cut it from one of my favorites, and most popular, Robert Frost poems: "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".  I used the page as one of the many background layers in this piece and love that you get a glimpse of it on the profile of the canvas. I also have "many miles to go before I sleep". 

It will be hard to part with this piece of me but I hope the person who has the winning bid at auction displays it where they will be reminded to come first to aid those who are in need. That they will "believe, love and think" positive in every aspect of their life.  May they believe in themselves  as playing an important role in coming up with a cure for cancer.

If you would like to support my friend Kim's team in CT you may do so here

If you would like to support my friend and cancer survivor Nancy at our local event you may do so here

Pictures of us at last year's Relay may be found here

In the days ahead I will post about actual art making process of this piece.

Bee Calm and Carry On

I am enjoying the calm I have been sneaking in, only one thing lacking.  I have not had a lot of time for art recently which has made me a bit edgy inside.  I painted this on a piece of wood based on a doodle I am using for my website.  Keep telling myself, one step at a time.  I am also enjoying the "Keep Calm, and Carry On" posters everywhere.  What a message, if you do not know where it originated you might want to check this out.

My name for this little piece is "Bee Calm, Carry Art".  Dedicated to all of those who are trying to make it in the art business.  It is also a little push for me to, keep calm, sit and list some items on Etsy just like it looks in the picture.  The blue bee is moving some art!

Below is a profile view and this will go to Etsy soon.  I will start listing some items on Friday with any luck for a smooth day.  I would also like to mention, and will announce, a portion of the proceeds will got to "Relay for Life".  It is in a cure that so many cancer patient can "remain calm and carry on"!

Value

Value is a word with several meanings and the name of this painting of mine.  It stems from experimenting with paint and paper. I usually use canvas, and usually not such strong "values". Thus said, i apply this definition of "value"

"6 a: relative lightness or darkness of a color : luminosity b: the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness"

This photo is not great, taken last night at dusk in the brightest room I could find.  I will get a crisper shot when I can but wanted to get it posted soon after my previous post.  It ties in without explanation.

Blue Fridays

Join me by wearing blue today!

I recently received an interesting email that had some powerful pictures which I chose not to post here.  They were of 2nd Lt. James Cathey's arrival home from a few years ago. They are beautiful pictures but tears will instantly fill your eyes and your hearts.  Along with the pictures came a message from the "silent majority".

"Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday. "

I am pretty silent on many topics here, it is mainly an art blog but life is expressed through art and if there were no feelings, there would be no art...it is that simple.  If there is a chance to take a better picture of a piece I did to go along with this, I will post it soon after.

I will end this post with some brilliant quotes from Abraham Lincoln.

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."

I will not be silent here today.  Today I will proudly wear blue...today and every Friday.

 

Hugs and the "squeeze"

 

Hugs to all who dedicated themselves to awareness and offered their support for breast cancer awareness during October.  I am proud to say I will be sending in $150 to the American Cancer Society from the proceeds of my sales.  I only kept a small portion for supplies of which will go back to funding future projects.  I can not send you all enough hugs, whether you did it through myself or any other amazing artist during October, you are making history by changing "her"story.

Next a mention about the "squeeze"....I am talking about mammograms.  I went on Monday for mine and encourage you all to get yours if you are overdue.  For those of you under 40 years of age, most insurance allow you at least one for a baseline before you are 40.  I did this and am glad I did.  Monday was my 3rd one in my life at age 41.  Things have change a bit since my first one and Thursday I got the phone call at work and a letter at home.  Here is an excerpt from the letter:

  There is a new "density" to my right breast.  If this was my first mammogram it might not have been realized.  My doctor's office reassured me this is nothing they are overly concerned about but will do another mammogram in 6 months to watch for changes.  They emphasized self exams and calls of any concerns at all.  I am not worried about this at all, "I don't do worry"!  I know where worry gets a person, this week there was a negative energy in the air.  I have opened the windows and let it out.   Since then one of my breast cancer patients strutted in yesterday and proclaimed "her clean bill of health" now that is a bill I applaud!!!

I am not afraid...nor should you be.  Breast cancer research and cures have come a long way and I am keeping faith with our efforts it will only get better.

 

So every time you get a hug, be reminded of the "squeeze".  Schedule that overdue mammogram and do that always forgotten self exam!  These two things might very well keep you around for more hugs in the future.  In fact...I am hugging you now!!!