A return of Stratoz, some thoughts on drawing cards

There are things we step away from, and writing here has been one of them. Do you find it harder to return the longer you have been away? I wrote three posts in 2016 and not one last year.

November and December are rough months. Teaching and being an artist consume my hours. It has been that way for several years and I found myself missing the days of drawing cards and sending them out at Christmas time.

So I have set a goal of drawing 365 days this year*

• To give to my favorite people at work and to give to people I barely know at work.
• To celebrate birthdays.
• To celebrate friendships.
• To celebrate births. 
• To say thanks to friends and strangers who buy my art.
• and...
• To celebrate lives.

A couple weekends ago I thought of two cousins I have not seen in years. Then I heard one had died that weekend. Today I sat down and drew card 4/365. It is for my uncle and aunt who are mourning the death of their child. A child who is older than I am. I drew the card with intention. And maybe the card will say what is so hard to place into words. "I am so sorry..."

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I hear that stating one's goals can lead to failure. But I also know that stating my mistakes leads to improvement. My art of choice for many many pre-glass years was drawing cards. Stepping away, was a mistake.

At work I often walk about the campus in my free time. I visit people. Say hello. Check in on how they are doing. There are many rooms that have one of my cards hanging on the wall. It shocks me, but it should inspire me. To draw cards.

          * OK, so I cheated and got a head start. While on my Holiday Vacation, I drew 20 cards between 12/24 and 12/31 so I have a back up of sorts. I can draw 345 cards and still meet my goal. And really is this a failure if I only draw 221 cards? I don't think so.

...

a blue and orange type of day: glass, dinner, birthday card

the day started soldering this sun catcher, design was inspired by the solo jazz piano of Vijay Iyer. Created by Wayne Stratz

Cherry tomatoes purchased at the Lansdale Farmers Market awaiting to be used in dinner. Photo by Wayne Stratz

Drew this for a friend who was celebrating a big birthday. I did celebrations. Colors inspired by her shower curtain. Drawn by Wayne Stratz

A jazz doodle in pinks and grays: Anat Cohen, Claroscuro

a jazz doodle in pink, red and grays, created by Wayne Stratz while listening to Anat Cohen

The other night Anat Cohen's Claroscuro caught my eye while browsing through our jazz CD's, and off to the studio I went. As I listened, I thought it would make for some fine commuting music, and it did well today even when stopped by both a northbound and southbound train at the corner of Main and Broad in Lansdale. Truly a test of the quality of a good music commute. The first mile can be a doozy.

Drawing 50 cards or so while on retreat is a pace I can not keep up while at home/work, but hey, can I not send out a card from time to time. So I carried the CD back inside the house and this evening I took it back into the studio.

But who to draw a card for? So many possibilities. I was glancing through my contacts to get a name and address when I thought of a co-worker. She recently lost a cherished pet and she also recently graciously helped me out at work. 

Name chosen. Jazz playing. I needed color. Strangely pinks and grays gravitated to my hand when I reached into the bag of mixed prismacolors. Random choices lead you down paths. I started listening at track 9 and the beautiful closing tune, The Wedding composed by South African jazz master, Abdullah Ibrahim, was playing as I finished. Enjoy.

May this be at least a weekly activity.

Doodling in the round: time lapse creation of a card

 

I got an itching to start handing out random cards at work, so I went into the studio last night to draw a card. While at it, why not try the time lapse option on my iPad camera. Beware ~> I spin the card quite a bit.

 

 

 

The A to Z challenge: moving on and returning to N

The other night I took the 26 cards and moved on

1. I got the 26 randomly chosen names from my work phone extension list and sent out a rambling email to those I were going to gift the cards to the next day. The hope was to explain the project.
2. I realized I had placed "N" by two names, but had only drawn one card. So make that 27 names.
3. I placed the cards into the mailboxes at work.
4. I answered questions by those puzzled by the rambling email.
5. Realized one person chosen was a student teacher who is no longer at the school.
6. Told the second "N" that I had messed up.

If you have followed this, you may remember I had been shocked to find that I had no jazz when I got to the letter, N. So last night I once again listened to the Lewis Nash CD I bought for the A to Z challenge. And here is the doodle:

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: A ~> Dorothy Ashby: My Favorite Things

Doodle by Wayne Stratz

The goal is to listen to jazz and create a card a day in the month of April. This card emerged while listening to the jazz harpist, Dorothy Ashby.

The Return of The Random Cards at My Workplace

As I left work, I placed this card in a mail slot in the education office. The woman, who will find it on Monday, was recently given a new assignment and no longer works in my building. I miss her smile and the ongoing joke about her unlisted job duty of watching my back. I am glad my finger pointed to her name as I placed it on the employee phone list.

From this point on, for better or for worse, I will count out 21 names and that person will get a card. That is what makes it interesting to me. People who would be on the top of a self made list will be skipped over and some people I barely know at all will get a card.

A card and a short note wishing the person a good day. I can do this. And hopefully it will brighten a day or two along the way.

Earlier today I had to talk to a man about a new ID for one of my students. Inside his office hangs one of my cards from the last time I did this. It brightened my day.

 

Cards of Thanks emerge as my campaign to feed the hungry rolls on

As of 8/9/13

19 donations

$591 collected

FEED THE HUNGRY

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Seven Thoughts on spontaneously signing up for a retreat at the Jesuit Center

Looking Up at the Jesuit Center
Wernersville, PA

1. Monday night remember that you love creating new designs in Wernersville and see that a retreat is happening the next weekend. Sign up on Tuesday. When you are the only male to show up, read the fine print to see if it was a women's retreat. It wasn't. Still have the longest hair in the room.
2. bring a camera so you don't have to count on old photos to head the blog post.  
3. spend prayer time designing a Wisdom stained glass panel and a turtle.
4. Turtles ~ mention in a news letter that you are thinking about creating a turtle. Get a commission that will include a turtle. Go on a retreat to design the turtle. Laugh when the retreat leader pulls a turtle from her bag. She uses it to remind herself that good things may take a long but slow journey.
5. Wake up on the Sunday and draw a design for the nun who introduced you to Wisdom. Then take an erasure to the panel you had designed. Start the background over. But keep the moon.
6. If you are fighting off a cold, a silent retreat just may not be the source for a miracle cure.
7. When a woman's face shines amongst all the others, draw her a card with wisdom shining upon a focal point. Be brave and give her the design as you pass in a hallway. Accept her hug. Later give her your address when she asks, be filled with hope that you have made a new friend. It can happen at a silent retreat.

and one more thing: on Monday remember what may be the most important thing that flowed into your brain ~ You would rather lose your job before you lose your sense of humor.

Hurricane Sandy ~ A Cards of Hope Sale

Over on our ETSY shop I offer to draw a card of hope, include your message, and send it to your loved one for $21.00.  The cards are one of kind creations which take time to emerge.  I do not rush a card of hope.  

I am foreseeing some extra time in my studio as Hurricane Sandy approaches, and unlike Mosaic Woman, I am dependent upon electricity for my glass work (glass grinder and soldering iron).  But I could draw cards by candle light if need be.  

~ The Sale ~

one card of Hope for $15.00

two cards for $25.00

three cards for $30.00

Sales made at ETSY for cards during the next 48 hours... 

1:00 pm here in  SE PA on Tuesday...  

you be reimbursed to the amount listed above...

or use the contact me tab at the top to place an order

Wordless Wednesday 9/12/12

Stratozpheres Doodle.  Prismacolors on paper.

Drawing Cards again and again

warm collection of cards
by
Wayne Stratz

My Lenten practice of drawing cards has led to new directions besides my surprise gifts at work.  Mosaic Woman has printed out the names and addresses of the 144 people, who not only gave us their e-mails but also provided things like their house number and zip code.  And there I go counting by 21's again and sending out surprise gifts  from the local post office.  Want to be on the list... sign up here (form is on the right above the floating testimonials).

At a recent craft show a friend showed up and wondered why I had shown up with none of my cards for sale.  So moving in that direction I decided to place something on etsy.  Do you know someone who could use one of my cards of hope or joy or love or peace?

... check out my listing and I will draw one especially with them in mind and spirit.

The Spiritual Practice of Drawing Cards

Stratozpheric Cards from Lent by Wayne Stratz 

What you see above are the final six cards I drew by way of my Lenten practice of drawing cards for staff members at my school.  In all 35 people were chosen by...  Count down 21 names, draw a card, count down 21 names draw a card...

Some of the people I treasure the most at work got a card, some who I was sad to say, "Who is that?" got a card.  But that was part of the practice, to let the number 21 guide me, not my opinion on who should get a card.

and I was reminded of the positive energy that flows back to me when I take the time draw a card...

Thanks for the lovely drawing it was a great way to start the day

Thanks for  the lovely card! It was such a nice treat to see this morning.  I had the day off on Friday, so it brightened my Monday! I will find a nice location to display it in my office

Thank you so much for the drawing!!!  It was a beautiful suprise to find in my mail box this morning!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL flower painting - I love it and have already bought a frame for it.  You are very talented and I appreciate you sharing your talent with me! Have a great day.

Thanks so much for the art work.  I don’t know what made you think of me, but your “symbol of hope and peace” couldn’t have come at a better time.

God bless,

Thanks for the card!  The warm colors are very pleasant and soothing to look at.

You brightened my day.

I just wanted to thank you for brightening up my day!! You are so thoughtful and I love it!! I hope you have a good day!! J 

and finally...

Just got your drawing.  That’s cool, thanks

I think I may continue on.

Lenten Practice, bringing the Jesuit Center Home

check out the time

doing what I do there, Wernersville that is...

1.  Turn on the i Pod and go to tune 21, then stretch out and listen to music and breathe.

2.  Draw cards.  I have a history of drawing many cards while at the Jesuit Center.  Now I am 21-ing people at work.  I printed out a copy of the school's phone directory and while I did choose the first person to get a card, but then I counted 21 names and drew the next card, then again, then again.  When I reach 21, I may be staring at a name that brings on a variety of reactions, but that is part of the exercise.  The 21 gets a card.  I sign the card, then write hope and peace on the envelope and stick it in their mail slot.

March is going to be crazed.  An on-line class on teaching physics has begun and will end the first week of April.  Three craft shows in four weeks.  And there is that ever present day job as a teacher.  So can I afford to listen to jazz with God and to step into the studio and not work on a commission or a piece for a show?  The bigger question is,  what if I said I didn't have time for these things?

so the question from God becomes, Shall We Tango?

Drawing cards at Wernersville--- the aftermath

As the cards flowed out into the hands of the silent folk, things began to flow back...

some of the highlights:

1. returning from meeting with my spiritual director I see a piece of paper hanging on my door. I assume the first thank you note has floated my way. And it is, but one I would never had imagined. I pluck it off my door and there in my hand is one of my cards. First thought is to run down the hall, knock on the door of the priest and say, "NO, this is for you, it is not for me!" I sit on my bed and breathe. On the back of my/his card he has written a blessing and I am amused that there is no need for him to sign it, because I wrote his name for him. I rip off a piece of tape and put it next to the first card I had drawn, the only one I had decided was for me.
   
   
   
2. While no one else will return a card, I will leave Wernersville with many many many thank you notes. Some with drawings, some with long notes, some with two words. One is from a woman who writes about looking day after day and how happy she was when a card showed up with her name. On another the woman, who had gotten one last year, writes joyfully about now having a collection of my art.
   
   
3. I finish the last of the cards on Tuesday morning which makes my afternoon massage timed perfectly. After the massage I head to fill my mug with water. Inside the kitchen, a woman breaks silence. She is holding two books. She says, "I was not going to buy any books on this retreat, but your gift inspired me to buy this Joyce Rupp book. It will help me with my work with cancer survivors." I am still in awe of what I heard. To think that my art could help the world in such a way.

I take the rest of the day off from doing art work and spend some time outside looking at the blue sky. Have you listened to my Blue in the title jazz tunes ?




LOOKING DOWN....

LOOKING UP....

Drawing cards, part 2---- losing spirit, being lifted up

As I reported in cards part 1, there were quite a few cards to draw. So as a warm up I drew one for myself, taped it to my wall, drew another card, sent it to Mosaic Woman, who would also have a card sent on Friday morning and another sent on Saturday.

By Saturday afternoon I was fading. I was closing in on thirty cards. It was feeling forced. Then I went to dinner.

There is something about 21 straight silent meals with the same group of people. For some the meals are an invasion into their solitude, for me it is a glorious reminder that I am far from traveling this path alone. Some folk tell me they wish they could one day go on an 8 days retreat. I wish they all can experience one. It is not always easy and one needs to get lifted up along the way, even when you are feeling connected to God. The days can be long. Way long. It is not a vacation from what you left behind, it is a journey into yourself where all that stuff has been lost and examined while you live your busy life.

That Saturday dinner did the trick. I sat in the dining room making eye contact with as many folk as I could and watching those who were being private with their eyes. I so wanted to thank them for coming to dinner with me. I imagined 21 straight meals in an empty dining hall; then headed back into my room and the callous on my thumb grew larger.

Sunday proved to be a greater challenge, much greater than drawing the cards. Especially the three for Margaret: