Nature always manages to create its own beauty that just causes a gasp. Darren Horn caught this luminous beauty over the lakes just outside of Yellowknife in Northwest Canada. The large solar storms continue to cause such majestic beauties as these to appear in our night skies in the most unlikely of places all over the world. How’s this for a good start to your day? – found on National Geographic where there’s a lot to see
This conversation is going to be a little different from what I normally talk about, because it’s going to center only on girls. I’m joining this year’s efforts in the Girl Effect campaign. From the moment that we are born, we are raised with different expectations than boys. But in reality, the expectations aren’t all that different because we are all going to be making a mark on this world. Our marks may be different from those traditional male leaders that we hear about on our tvs or in our newspapers, but they will be just as strong if not stronger because we will use our “softness” as a strength.
In some parts of the world, girls will not hear these conversations going on in the society at large, simply because they are not living in the same circumstances as many of their counterparts in the developed countries. The western world has enjoyed decades of women’s rights, though in truth that has only been during the 20th century. To show the difference, Bangladesh has allowed women to participate in voting since 1972, compared to 1920 in the United States. But this is only a drop in the bucket of what women are capable of doing if they are given the chance to help improve society. Just look at some of the women who are already making a difference in medicine, government, and other disciplines all around the world.
Hear What Shumi Has To Say
Benjamin Zander’s Ted Talk on music and passion
We all love some kind of music. For some it’s classical, for others it has to be rock, and for another group it might be jazz. Our tastes are eclectic, but the love all stems from being able to connect to our inner being. There is something that triggers a response from inside that spreads to our outer persona in the form of a smile, a sigh of satisfaction, or a passionate embrace. As Benjamin Zander (see the first video above) states, “it awakens us to new possibilities” if we choose to listen for them.
I found some inspirational videos on Ted that just woke up that inspiration inside of me. No matter what was happening around me in the outside world, my inner world was awaiting for my moment of creation. No, I don’t “speak” in the language of music – my vehicle of choice is the play with words. But it would be awesome if I could. Those who have the musical gift are some of the most inspirational people, because like any artist, they make something to be shared. They know that it isn’t about how they think that the piece came out. They look at their listeners and await their reaction. Only then, do they know if their creation did what they had hoped: It moved us to feel something. It created a spark within us.
But music isn’t only made by musicians. If you listen all around you, you’ll hear the music of life. It’s in the insect drones. It’s in the sound of the waves. It’s in the rhythm of traffic. It’s even in the washing machine. All around us, we can hear sounds that exist but also awaken. All it takes is a simple perfect note, or the percussion of a drum, or a whole symphony that transports us into a world of make believe. And that’s a good thing, because we are all being made to believe in creativity.
To all you artists who work so hard creating from that spark:
The white burns my eyes. It’s always that way in the beginning of a new project…
The paper stared at him, simply waiting for that first mark. A mark that could become the start of something monumental. The image was in his head, triggered by an avalanche of thoughts that fought to come into being. Strong and silent until life could be breathed into those lines that were trembling at the tip of his pencil.
One scratch. No, that’s not the right angle. I can’t see it going anywhere. I mean, where could it go since it already stops in my head? Pick up the eraser. Gone. Good. Starting again. This time, the line will be the perfect start, and will continue to another. And then another.
There, that’s the rhythm that I’m looking for. Look at how they’re merging together. I’m finally starting to see what’s in my head on this piece of paper. The paper’s alive! Continue reading
You remember this mystery, right?
I was curious about the latest news on the mystery of who created those amazing anonymous paper sculptures that were left to various library and art venues, and it looks like someone has finally solved the mystery. Amazingly enough, one of the retired librarians recognized the work of the paper sculpture left at the Edinburgh School of Art, because he had bought a similar sculpture at the Red Door Gallery on Victoria Street.
For now, the artist is choosing to stay anonymous though he did admit that he has more projects in the works. I would personally love to see one of his pieces up close just because they are just so brilliant. But somehow, the romance of not knowing just adds to the purity of his intent! Good job, Edinburgh Evening News for respecting his wishes to keep his identity under wraps.
– found in Edinburgh Evening News
And if you haven’t had a chance to read through the Red Door Gallery blog, do so because it’s got some amazing stuff on it. I just realized that they are the venue that Seymour chooses to show some of his work, so I’m an even bigger fan of theirs!
This Youtube video (by Derek Sivers) on leadership was passed around by @occupySD, but it caught my eye for multiple reasons. Like everyone, I thought it was hilarious. But it’s always in those things that are presented the most simply that you find important kernels of wisdom that change your mindset and even your actions.
In this modern frenetic world, we are bombarded with instructions on a daily basis to the point that life becomes overwhelming if you try to follow it all. We criticize ourselves when we “fail” at something, not always because we failed, but because others noticed and commented on our supposed failure. But if you really look at advice passed down over the millenia (yes, in those quotes that we all love to use), then you’ll have noticed that many of those forward thinkers really didn’t care all that much about other people’s impressions. And I think that herein lies a strength that we can all use in our own endeavors. Let go of other people’s expectations and listen to your own. After all, you are your toughest critic. Continue reading
Kris Kuksi is one of my most favorite sculptors. Now that’s a pretty big claim as there are so many amazing sculptors throughout art history that fit into the realm of master sculptors. And Kris Kuksi falls comfortably within that category because of the sheer brilliance of his commentary and complexity of form within each and every piece that he creates. He takes a sculpture and puts in so many different dimensions, that they are like an opera captured in a moment of time and immortalized in form.
He’s known for his slightly dark, gothic themes, but he’s mostly known for his ability to make a social commentary with just a single sculpture. And the fact that he has made so many more shows just how passionate he is about the story of humanity and all of the forces that move it. If you want to see an artist who only produces masterpieces, well, Kris Kuksi should be one of your selections. Because what he does is unique, inspirational, and thought-provoking. You’ll be staring so long at the details that you won’t realize the depth of message embodied in each work until you step back and look at it as a whole. And keep checking in because he’s always creating.
The Imagine Bus Project
Today is one of those days when I’m glad that I rummaged through mainstream news. Lately, it’s hard work to find anything worthwhile that they report. But this time, the NY Times put out an article on a journalism project that I find awesomely inspiring because of the subject’s offerings of creative arts projects to kids in under-served areas in the San Francisco Bay area. Susan Little, the founder of The Imagine Bus Project, wanted to offer these kids opportunities to discover what a positive affect art can have in their lives, and perhaps even help them to pave the way to their future through their own efforts. It’s always amazing to find these groups who understand the necessity of creativity in ones life. Continue reading
Yes, this image really spoke to how I’ve been feeling lately. No, I don’t feel like a piranha. But it does feel like we’re all trying to escape from a piranha tank, doesn’t it? No matter where you look, it’s like there is someone out there who will eat you up if you deign to disagree with them. While it makes for a lively conversation, it also makes you want to put on your Kevlar vest so that you aren’t hit by stray verbal missiles.
The world around us is becoming unrecognizable. It’s got a lot to do with the fact that no one wants to listen anymore because they’re too busy shouting into their personally-accessorized megaphones, trying to be a standout amongst the rest of the school. It would almost be amusing if not for the fact that I’m talking about adults. As children, we were prone to careless words or hurtful actions because we didn’t know any better. But didn’t that trait go away as we matured? Well, it seems that herein lies our problem. Did we really mature into thoughtful people who actually learned a few lessons over time? Some did, but not as many as I’d hoped. Every time I hear a child lecturing adults about their ignorance, I can only shake my head in wonder that we simply refuse to hear the meaning of their words. We’re too busy making rude comments like, “Oh, you know that kid’s parents told her to say that” or “He has no idea what he’s talking about. How could he, since he’s still a kid”. Continue reading
It’s been a while since I posted about this talented group of artists from Circus Posterus. And it’s not because they haven’t been busy, because they’ve been up to some amazing things. Just visiting their site or their new gallery in New Mexico (I wish), Stranger Factory, will show you just how much amazing creativity comes from every one of them. And if you still don’t believe, well, ask their insanely loyal and eclectic fan base, because they have the collections to prove their love for everything Circus Posterus and more. I’ve been following them for a much shorter time than the majority of their fans, and yet I get just as excited when I hear of a new launch or show. Now, since I’m not independently wealthy, my collection is much more selective, but I did want to show off my latest arrival, Boo Skelve, by Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas. I (and many others) have been waiting for months to be able to bring him home, and somehow I managed to do it! All I can say is “Woooo Hooooo Boo”, and bring on my favorite time of the year.
Keep your eyes opening for their next group show, because it’s called “Bewitching” and it will be!
