Tribute

The other day, I was driving home from Sandpoint after a Twin Eagles event, and just as I was about to pass through Newport, I happened to look over and see this mural on the side of a building. My reaction surprised me. Much like the Obama-McCain piece from several years ago (see below), I felt compelled to stop and interact with the art in some way. In fact, my emotional response was stronger now that I know the artists. 

This experience gave me a sense of gratitude for the power of art. It is unlikely that I will ever get to meet Obama, Romney, or McCain, but these paintings capture the spirit of our times and give us a living connection to our own history. These artists are magicians in their own right. They reflect something from our inner selves and not simply what is seen with human eyes.   

This is my small tribute to the artists. 

Obama-Romney 2012. 

Obama-McCain from 2008. 

Van Gogh

Spent another evening with Van Gogh and Merlot,

and this time we actually copied a Van Gogh piece.  

Ulysses demonstrating a painting technique. 

My finished work. 

I managed to paint my hands along with the canvas. 

I actually think this photograph is better than the painting. 

Beautiful

Lucy Finley was a friend of the family. For many years, I never knew her real name. We simply called her the Beautiful Lady because of her radiant smile and generous spirit. I used to love to watch her on the wardance floor. Many traditional dancers walk with solemn steps, as if exaggerated seriousness added to the dignity of the ceremony. In contrast, Lucy danced with a joyful, exuberant smile that filled the room. She was an inspiration to many. 

A few years ago, I made a pencil drawing of the Beautiful Lady. This was my best portrait by far. My only regret is that I drew the portrait on a regular piece of printer paper. Unfortunately, the paper was distorted in the shaded areas. 

Chief Joseph

Back in the year 2000, I taught an art class at Medicine Wheel Academy; not that I was qualified to teach art, mind you. I did not hold an art endorsement, nor had I taken any classes since high school. However, alternative schools at that time did not require subject-specific endorsements. I was free to teach any class I wanted, so I taught art. As part of that class, I painted a portrait of Chief Joseph - acrylic on canvas board. 

I gave the painting to a friend, but tonight I made the odd request that he allow me to photograph the painting for my own keepsake. He agreed, and here is a digital copy - thirteen years later. 

Sulustu

Finally, this is a watercolor portrait of my father. I really struggled with this piece since watercolor is not as forgiving as pencil or acrylic. I made some mistakes that I just have to live with, but the only way to improve is to practice. Thanks again to Carole and Todd for inspiring me to reclaim my creativity. 

Mask

Some time in 1999 or 2000, Rhonda and I created and facilitated a "Mask Workshop" where we explored the masks we wear when we conceal our authentic selves. As part of the workshop, we constructed tangible masks that represented some shadow aspect of our personality. 

This was my mask, painted with acrylic on an ordinary piece of card board. The eyes were cut out since I actually wore the mask at one point. 

I created this mask at a time in my life when I struggled to find my voice. I often felt powerless to express my own thoughts, even if I knew they were right. In a sense, this piece is also a self-portrait - a depiction of my fear and self-doubt. By creating a visual representation of my personal mask, I was able to also claim my wisdom just a little more. 

I love this piece. I love the simplicity and the memory of a wonderful workshop. 

Portraits

Self-Portrait

Todd Benson has inspired me to think about my art. Ever since I was a kid, I loved to draw, but I'm sorry to say that I have often allowed my art to fall by the wayside. I tell myself that things get too busy, but in reality, creativity is therapy. In any case, Todd asked to see some of my work. Thanks to him, I guess the rest of you get to see it too. 

These pencil and paper portraits measure about five inches by seven and were completed in December of 1999. 

Rhonda

Art Journaling

My friend Carole has introduced me to the concept of art journaling. Essentially, an art journal is a personal diary written in artistic form. It can include words, photographs, paintings, collages, or any combination. Carole's journal is primarily water color, but it has a little of everything. She has organized the journal into a book, but a journal can have loose pages as well. It's all a matter of personal preference. 

Carole has included a number of inspirational quotes, but she also explored her beliefs, dreams, experiences, and personal struggles. She says that art journaling is therapeutic and that it helps her to make sense of important life issues. 

Carole's art journal has inspired me to reclaim my own artistic interests. Since she introduced me to this concept last year, I have painted about a dozen small water color and acrylic pieces. Hopefully, I will be able to blog about my art in the near future. In the end, I feel grateful to Carole for re-opening my heart to the creative process. 

All life is an experiment.

The more experiments you make, the better. 

~ Emerson

Behold the turtle. 

He only makes progress

when he sticks his neck out. 

~James Conant

Dreams

Tiger

Collage

Antelope

Mural

Todd and Cain Benson are a team of local artists who also happen to be brothers. They invited Dakota and me to preview the progress on their newest mural, an installment that is part of the development with Greenstone Homes at Kendall Yards, and that is situated in a long hallway in the Central Food building.

The mural celebrates a spirit of community.

The Spokane city skyline spans the length of the wall and depicts a variety of local landmarks, such as the Spokane River, the Monroe Street Bridge, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cathedral. More importantly, the community is revealed in the faces of its people: a young couple walks hand in hand, a woman blows soap bubbles, and a child reaches hopefully toward the sky. Todd and Cain refer to the mural as a “love letter to Spokane.”

Their artwork captures my interest on several levels.

First, I am interested in the personal connection. Dakota and I will eventually have a part in the pieces they create. This is a story in progress that I’m sure to mention again.

But more than anything, I admire the artists for adding something of value to this community. I love Spokane, and I appreciate their effort to infuse creativity and a sense of artistic expression into our local culture.  At one point, Todd said, "This mural is a story of our lives. Someday we'll look back and say, 'This was our life. These were our times.'"

On another level, I’m interested in how culture evolves because of the internet. Several years ago, I happened to photograph a piece of street art created by Todd and Cain. When I posted their work on my blog, they took notice and contacted me. The connection deepened, mostly by means of Facebook and Blogger, but eventually the mural grew from that connection, at least in part.

Before digital technology, I would have never used a film camera to photograph their art. The cost was too high. And certainly, I would have never published the photograph in a public forum. In all likelihood, we would have never met.

Digital media allow an acceleration of connections and synergy, but creativity speaks to the soul, and that is the value of art. The artist gives an outward expression to an inner vision. I’m grateful to Todd and Cain for honoring that vision and for including my family in their work. 

I'm excited to see this project as it progresses. 

The artists are working from a grid

superimposed over a digital collage.

The piece is still in a preliminary stage.

The faces are shown in black and white,

but color will be added later. 

Eventually, bubbles will be added to the mural.

A dog adds a whimsical touch.

Todd and Dakota...

I love the shimmer depicted in the eyes...

A little perspective to show the length of the hall.

Cain.

More grids for the mural...

Shadows and Creativity

I've been remiss for neglecting my blog. Actually, I've been more hectic than usual - attending meetings, writing lesson plans, traveling to other cities and communities - you name it, and somewhere in the midst of my busy schedule, blogging became a burden. Nothing kills creativity like a nagging sense of obligation.

But oddly tonight, I had a few moments to reflect.

Several weeks ago, I attended an educational workshop at Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma, WA. As the meeting ended, I had a few minutes to explore the community and to take a few pictures.

I feel a certain sense of freedom when I can temporarily forget my obligations and simply follow my feet. I parked my rental car in downtown Tacoma and just started walking in the first direction that caught my attention. In time, the scenery revealed itself in a natural, organic sort of way - like when I encountered a totem pole standing near a glass high rise office building. Something about the contrast of ancient and modern structures forced me to reflect upon the role of indigenous traditions within contemporary society.

Eventually, I found myself on a rather pleasant street lined with coffee shops and art galleries. These chairs were arranged outside an antique store.

The City of Tacoma has preserved much of its architectural heritage.

I also happened upon a very unusual place called "The Garages." Essentially, the building functions as a municipal parking garage with a twist: the entire structure is covered both inside and out with intentional graffiti.

It's hard to imagine that people would actually park their cars on these old wooden floors, but indeed they did.

Placards were posted in various locations to provide guidelines for when people could paint the walls and when they could not.

"The Barry" (for those who care). ;)

A standard receptacle for collecting parking fees stands outside the garage.

My mind often works in strange ways. As I explored the various graffiti installations, I got to thinking about what some folks call the "human shadow." In essence, the shadow is comprised of all the parts of our personality that remain hidden from oneself. Often times people keep 'undesireable' parts of themselves hidden in the shadow, either intentionally or otherwise. In any case, the more people repress the shadow, the more it tends to cause problems. A healthy individual finds ways to acknowledge and even honor the shadow, and as Robert Bly once said, "Every part of our personality that we do not love will become hostile to us." That's not to say that we should give free rein to every awkward, angry, or unseemly impulse, but rather, we should find ways to respect every part of ourselves. By doing this, we are able to access deep wells of energy and creativity.

Prayer Flags

My co-worker Carole is a creative genius. She often comes into work with some new, brilliant idea for an original art project. Most recently, she envisioned a series of flags, modeled after Tibetan prayer flags,  for a colleague who has taken ill. She enlisted dozens of co-workers to each create a flag with an individual, personalized message. Some of the flags contained simple messages of encouragement, while others returned with intricate drawings and designs.   

Carole's project has inspired the faculty, brought comfort to a friend, and raised the creativity quotient throughout the entire Institute for Extended Learning.

Boxes

The other night I came home from work to find my family sitting around the table as they constructed boxes from playing cards. Without using glue or any adhesive whatsoever, they simply folded the cards in such a way that they stayed connected. It looked like so much fun that I sat down to join them.

Rhonda is working the souvenir table at CYT's upcoming production of Alice, so these card boxes will be sold during the show.

Sharing

Kate is one of my co-workers (on the left; Pamm is on the right). She arrived in my classroom the other night with several hand-made marionettes. It was certainly an unexpected thing, especially in a college setting, but she told a fascinating story about seeing these animals in a dream. She decided to honor her vision by creating these marionettes using wool and a felting process.

Her sharing inspired me for a couple reasons.

First, Kate honored her vision by making something tangible. I was always taught by my elders respect my dreams, especially if they tell me to make something or to perform a specific task. I can't say that I always follow their advice, so Kate gave me a welcome reminder of my cultural teachings. 

Second, it seems we rarely take the time to share with our co-workers in meaningful ways. So often, we maintain our professional face and forget the potential for real human connection. Kate shared her vision with us, and in the process, she created a greater sense of community in our workplace.  

Eagle Woman.