A shirt for many occasions ~ belief plus doubt equals sanity

Margaret spotted this when we were in the midst of this and knew it had my name all over it, even though I do not own a piece of red clothing.

I am a man of hope and uncertainty. I don't know how it will turn out, but I believe it will, some how some way. I see this as a perfect shirt for a few occasions. The red and the message make it perfect for the first two.

1. Pentecost Sunday ~ my very first thought when I read it. I believe God has transformed my life but doubt God's existence on a regular basis. Being 100% certain either way is likely a state m mind will avoid.
2. A Philadelphia Phillies game ~ even in the best years I do believe they can win, but I doubt if they will win all their games. Only sane approach to being fan.
3. And maybe I will break it out when I celebrate my birthday. I believe I will have many more to celebrate but doubt they will go on for ever and can only hope to make it to the next one.
4. Where else? Suggestions...

 

Visiting Belief + Doubt ~ Barbara Kruger at the Hirshhorn

Our second stop in DC was the round Smthsonian, home of modern art. Taking the trip into the Hishhorn's basement exhibit was quite the escalator ride.

I loved how POWER hovered above Whose bodies? Whose beliefs?

But first I was taken by this quote by Malcolm X. How true is this ~

Margaret than stood between Faith and Doubt. A place I often stand every day.

Now watch how they installed this and watch how people resond when they get into this space.

 

No words ~ celebrating Margaret's favorite blooms ~ our Hydrangea

 

Commissioning a Collage From Abby Sernoff

I have been thinking about celebrating this piece of art for too long, but hey here I am finally doing it. Maybe it was finally commissioning a new piece of art (a gift to myself for a big birthday) that finally got me into the studio to get an image of this jazz tree.

Abby managed to get music, botany, birds and orange into this piece of work. Nothing like hitting many of my interests and showing she made it for me. Check out the post she wrote about the piece and Abby explained how it was somewhat a collaboration between us and while you are at it, you can see her other great art on etsy.

 

Six Blooms and a trunk that caught my eye at Longwood Gardens

The Sunflower Commission ~ watching a glass flower emerge

That is on its second day in low light, high light is at the bottom...

finding the greens, by the end 7 types if glass were called upon...

adding the petals, looking yellow but actually yellow-orange...

Needing something special for the center, orange, amber, green all in one piece, took me to my stash of Youghiogheny...

foiling a sunflower...

Into the light ...

 

Orange Tuesday ~ celebrating 21 years

It would only have been better if I had 21 orange pencils, but hey I am sure that with all that blending Margaret got more than 21 shades. She has been doing Orange Tuesday blogs for quite a while. I dig orange, but this is my first.

 

 

 

 

The Sunflower Commission is about to unfold

A few weeks ago I put out a cry for help. I was packing for a time at the Jesuit Center. It wasn't the choice of clothes or mug (that is for Michelle) that was causing me angst. It was the intensity of the commissions, which I was hoping to design.

The client, who hoped to bring peace to grieving parents, came by for the mandala he commissioned. The blue behind the symbol of the lost child caught his eye. May it truly bring peace.

Margaret has grouted the Celtic Tree wedding present. I think we did something amazing together and may it be a blessing to the two lives that will unfold together.

And now the sunflower. I first tried to hand the commission to Margaret, who has made mandalas inspired by the colors of various sunflowers. But as you can see the client wrote, "made by your hand," and then went on to share her connections. I took that note with me and read it prior to designing the suncather with the hope that I could capture what clearly is her totem plant.

The post card was sent to the Jesuit Center by Michelle. It came late, but it showed up here in Lansdale. Jesuits are kind that way (I owe the man a thank you). Michelle's card is in my studio as a reminder of all those who prayed for me.

My client also digs Jesuits and she believes our lives unfold like a sunflower. This is no typical sunflower. It is like us. Beautiful, but only emerging into our full splendor.

Three commissions that awed me. That took me to the hope that I could create them in the midst of prayer.

 

Infrequent Activities ~ hair cuts for Locks of Love and handling jump ropes

I came home, threw most of my hair on the porch and took a photo of this Dancing Lady before going inside our two studio row.

All in all I would guess my hair was shortened by 15 inches. It's still long.

So there I was helping out at our track and field and fun day, counting how many successful jumps were being made over the jump rope in my hand (60 was tops) when I realized I handled jump ropes infrequently, but more frequently than getting my haircut.

Four haircuts in 14 years since I first began to grow my hair out. I miss it. I love the easier showers.

 

Where did Wisdom emerge from?

Do you know that Nutmeg Designs has a blog, a collaboration between Mosaic Woman and myself. That is where the story of Wisdom was told.