"Universalism", collage

This is the last collage in my journal. I will start posting paintings and pastels next. I am hoping to finish the 3 cow pastels today. I had a bad fright last night. My computer got a virus and I was a wreak! McAffe helped me fix it today. Pray.....that it is well again. It seems that when the computer gets sick I get more upset than when I get sick. Pretty crazy. Celebrate what you have gotten done...see the cup half full instead of half empty. Celebrate your accomplishments.

Synergy, collage

Synergy is such an important concept. It is finding a win win solution that is an excellent answer for all concerned. I have not seen this used as much as it should be, especially in politics. This is not always the easiest solution, but it is one where everyone wins. Does there always have to be a loser? Find a way for both groups to win!

Subaltern, collage

"Slave", collage

In this collage, I am attempting to show that there is more than one form of slavery and that they feed on each other.

Palimpsest, collage

This is how history over writes itself. We try to erase events in our lives but they are never completely gone they are still a part of who we are. Those events influence every choice we make and how we see the world around us. Even simple things inluence who we are.

Odalisque, collage

Odalisque means a female slave. It was a new term to me. As I think of this term, I think that so often we become a slave to our own way of thinking. Just a thought. My 57th birthday was yesterday, so sorry I was not posting. Today is my last day off. Tomorrow I will go back to work and my 140 or so art students. It has been a good, very low key time off. I needed it. My 3 cows are almost done. Ethics are an important part of finding personal character and success.

Miscegenation, collage

Miscegenation is a collage about mixed couples and the blending of culture. Two of my students were so kind. They let me use their hands and posed for this piece. Well, it is a new year and my creed has always been "Anything worth doing is worth doing frantically." My life is a blur of rushing around and filling every minute. Everything will never be done. I need to find a way to slow down and be more gentle with myself and others. I will strive to take each moment a moment at a time. I also need to take more time to think. Happy New Year everyone!!

"Mimicry" collage

Another journal page. See the beauty around you. Sometimes we copy others to grow and evolve ourselves.

"Liminal", collage

This collage is magazine pages, Sharpie, blue Elmers glue and silver polish. If you draw with the blue Elmer's glue, let it dry completely, then wipe the area with silver polish it will remove the magazine color and can be very effective. I also find torn paper to be more interesting than cut paper, depending on the intent of the piece. It is very foggy today. Water droplets are hanging on the trees. I am so accustomed to doing what is expected of me that it is sometimes hard to know what I want and need. I know that I am constantly evolving and growing. It is a part of being human.

"Interstitial" collage

Here is my collage called "Interstitial" which is a space or opening between things. Lately I have been putting off a lot of things so this quote really hits home. I wonder if procrastination and interstitial behavior has a link to each other. "When I keep putting something off, it may not be procrastination, but a decision I've already made and not yet admitted to myself", by Judith M. Knowlton. Find the small blessings in each day.

Hegemony, collage

Here is another page in my journal. Again it is not for sale. I have started working on the cow pastels again. All three are blocked in but none are finished. Hope your Christmas was merry. We made a nice dinner and curled up with a fire. We decided we had everything we needed so gifts for each other were not important. Only loving each other and everyday acts of kindness are plenty. As I look out the window...there are a thousand birds doing an ariel ballet. It is truely amazing.

"Ethnicity", collage

This is another journal page from my "Crossing Borders Class". Egyptian artifacts are so beautiful and this collage gave me an excuse to use these images to make a photo montage. It almost feels tomb like.

A very dear friend died yesterday. He had a way of making other people feel special and appreciated. He was generous with his gentleness and kindness. He will be missed by both Jerry and I. Let those special people know you love them today. You never know if they will be here tomorrow.

Diversity, collage

This collage is attempting to get a handle on the idea of diversity. It is magazine slicks and fine tip Sharpie. I did about 20 or so of these collages. Now I have started my pastels of cows. I have the first one roughed in. When it is done I will post it. Nothing gets done over night but it is about constant progress. Every small positive action is important. All of those small actions add up to a big action or result over time. Remember, one day at a time.