A day to be tHanKfuL!!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  

Besides celebrating a quality that I feel is quintessential to one's quality of life ~ gratitude; it is also a holiday that most everyone celebrates.  I love this because for the weeks leading up to the big day I can wholeheartedly wish everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving'.  This is not true with many of the other big holidays.   And I enjoy spreading the concept of gratefulness especially during this growing frenzy of materialism, aka black friday, but that is for another post.  

the dress of plenty - westwood, ma

So on this day, we all take a moment to be grateful and take note of all the ways in which we are blessed.  To celebrate this day I took to the woods ~ to delight in the wonders of nature.  And today, in the Boston area, Mother Nature put on her Sunday best for the day.  The weather was exquisite and I was blessed to have the time to amble through some beautiful woodlands.  

I also made a dress!!!

In the area that I settled after my walk, the ground was covered with acorn tops.  These precious caps immediately caught my attention and as I pondered them in my hands I was amazed at their intricate pattern.  I was also taken by their similarity to a breast, nipple and all.  And soon I found myself gathering dozens and constructing a dress right there in the warmth of the brilliant Thanksgiving sun.  

note the beautiful patterns on these caps

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When the dress was finally finished it was composed of piles of these little treasures, and taking in consideration of the day of its creation, I called it the dress of plenty. 

Everyday I try to life with the intention of thankfulness; to be aware and present to all the gifts that life offers me, even if they are at times cloaked in sadness or strife. 

This thought makes me think of Rumi's poem, The Guest House, with which I will close this post.  

Wishing all a wonderful day of gratitude & peace ~

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
    translation by Coleman Barks

and she's off . . . .

As the Holiday season is revving there are many arty events and shows that I am involved in, and a few need a bit of explanation!!! So here is a quick break down with visuals ~ 

Similiar to an advent calendar but this one runs from December 8th (when the raffle is done) to the New Year. It is a celebration of all the holiday seasons!!

First is my ' celebration wreath' that I am donating to the Attleboro Arts Museum for their:The Art Of Celebrating: Trees and Lights and Symbols of the Season

From December 1st – 8th, 2012 the Museum will exhibit unique Christmas trees, wreaths, Hanukkah menorahs and Kawnsaa kinaras created and decorated by volunteer artists. Each piece on display will contain a creative twist on a traditional symbol of holiday celebration. These items will be shown in the Museum’s Community Gallery, Tuesday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm.

All pieces will be raffled off to benefit Museum art classes for all ages and art exhibitions.  Raffle prices are: One ticket for $1; seven tickets for $5; twenty tickets for $10.  Winners will be selected at the 2012 Member’s Exhibition Opening Reception on December 8^th from 2-4pm.  Ticket holders do not have to be present to win.

Each dress has a fortune for that day.

Each dress is attached to the wreath with a clothes pin with the date.

So I am racing this off to Attleboro today!! And I hope, if time allows, that I will also be delivering something for their member show - but that is still to be figured out!!!

The other work that I am delivering today is my series for Fountain Street Fine Art's program - their CSArt.  I have mentioned this before and have so much I would love to say about this program and the process that I have gone thru, but as I mentioned before - this must be brief :) 

So here is a brief description from the gallery and some links to places you can read more about this event.  The important thing to note, know and remember is that the Harvest Party is tomorrow, Sunday, November 18th, from 2-5.  During this time all the series from the 6 participating artists will be on exhibit.  For those that have already purchased their share, they will be able to choose their 'take'.  Then if any pieces are left they will be sold separately.  Bottom line is that this is a good way to get some exciting art from local artists.  

CSA for art is an idea that started in Minnesota a few years ago, and has spread to over 40 cities across the country. Fountain Street Fine Art, a new art gallery in Framingham, MA,  is trying it this year for the first time. Using the farm CSA model, CSArt gives artists the 'seed money' in the spring that they need to create a body of work that then gets distributed to shareholders in the fall.  

Fountain Street Fine Art ; the CSArt blog; Jeanne Williamson's blog

The series that i am contributing I call 'the petite robe' series.  All the pieces are mixed media collages on bristol board.  All the images of rooms that I have altered come from a House Beautiful book and each collage has a little dress in it.

Detail of 'le grand chat'

'carnivore'

There is sooooo much to say about this project but I need to finish matting these treasures!! So mark your calendars and come see the entire collection, tomorrow afternoon @ Fountain Street Fine Art.  Also tonight Fountain Street Fine Art is having an opening reception for their show, A Sense of Place. 

peace 

Vote!!! It's your choice!

Tomorrow is a big day for us Americans, no matter who you are backing or what you believe in.  Tomorrow we are offered the chance to have a voice, to make our opinions known.  In the current state of politics it is too easy to get apathetic and cynical (I know I do).  But as election day approaches I need to believe that each vote does matter in some way or other, so I am encouraging all to go out and vote.

Many years ago I learned the importance of voting, or the regret of not voting.  I was living in New York City, surrounded by a very liberal community of friends and it seemed that my candidate was a shoe in; he had tons of celebrity backing, a good track record and, it was forecasted, that he had a healthy lead.  So on election day,  when I was confused about where to go vote and I had so many other important things to do, I felt that my vote was not really  needed. And, I am truly embarrassed to say, I did NOT go vote!!! And you guess it - my guy lost!! and boy did I feel that loss.

I know that my one vote wouldn't have tipped the scales however I really felt a sense of liability; I had not been part of the process, the decision and that left me feeling hollow.  Now ever since that infamous day I go vote at all elections - big or small.  That experience really brought home the importance of adding your voice to the conversation, your opinions to the process and the significance of being counted.

I definitely have my opinions!! and if any of you have seen my car you would know who I am voting for.  But honestly I don't want to push one candidate over another here. I want to urge all to go out and vote, to add your voice to the conversation and be part of the process.

And if you are worried about long lines, just go prepared ~ bring a snack, a good book, make sure your ipad or ipod is charged, remember water and I plan to bring my crocheting!! Maybe a red, white & blue creature?!?!

Peace