#46 Headin' South...

Contrary to what my last post may have led you to believe, I was not among the many who demonstrated during the '70s. Nope. I didn't demonstrate. I didn't do drugs. I was pretty much an exception to everything that defined my generation. I was even a Republican. Amazing, huh?

I'm older and wiser now. I'm clear on what my values are. It's important to me to try to engage my fellow citizens in civil conversations. I know that we are all connected and that we're here to love and support one another. I know that in the grand scheme of things wer are but specks of dust. I don't live in fear. And some things I do because I want to be able to look my grandchildren (should I have any) in the eyes and tell them "Your grandmother was there. "

So I was at the Million Moms March to show my support for more reasonable gun laws and gun control.

And tomorrow I'll be at the Rally to Restore Sanity.

And, because I'm me, I might just have to take a peek in at the National Gallery of Art.

Because art is important, too.

Oh - and in case you haven't figured it out: I'm a Democrat now.

Go me!!!

 Crossing the Line photograph. 2010 Karen Anne Glick

-karen anne

#45 What would you have done?

I was awakened in the wee hours last night to what sounded like a gunshot outside. I sat bolt upright in bed and Jake, at the same time, did his out-of-a-dead-sleep-right-into-a-high-pitched-yelping thing. I ran to the window when I heard someone call out, then moan. When I looked down the street to the corner I saw someone lying on the street, but could only make out their head; the trees obscured my vision.

I ran to the phone and called 911 and was transferred to the police who listened to my story. I was told that a policeman would be at my door momentarily to interview me. Adrenaline was making me shake.

I had barely gotten my robe on when the doorbell rang. A female officer was there and asked me to step outside, asking where I had seen the person lying in the street. Four other police cars arrived with lights and sirens on. I pointed to the corner. Standing beneath the trees that had obscured my vision, I could see the corner clearly now.

There was no one lying in the street.

But there was a head-sized pumpkin in the gutter. And that was all that was there. Just a pumpkin.

So...

What would you have done?

In the 70's when all the anti-war riots were going on in Washington D.C. I stopped my car and ran over to what I thought was the beginning of a fire on the grounds of the Corcoran Gallery of Art where I was attending classes there. As I reached to move the papers that littered the ground around where the smoke was rising, I was hit full in the face with tear gas. There was no fire; the smoke I saw was only the tear gas escaping its canister.

So...

What would you have done?

Both the incident in D.C some 40 years ago and the one last night made me feel more than a bit foolish. But I learned from each that I'm not one that can stand by when it seems a fire might be starting or someone may have been shot. I could spend a lot of time second guessing my actions, but, when all is said and done, and time is of the essence, I'm glad that I'm not one of those people you see on the news and YouTube who witness atrocities (real or perceived) and choose to do nothing.

I'd rather live feeling a little foolish than realize I've become insensitive.

How about you?

-karen anne

#44 The way I see...

I realized a long time ago that I'm wired differently and, as a result, I see things differently. It used to really bug me that I wasn't like most of the world, but now I don't give two hoots about it. I like me just the way I am!

So...

Here are a few photos of Ireland Abstracted - my brains translation of some of the wonderful sights I saw on our trip:

How do you see the world? What things make you different and, therefore, spectacular and unique?

-karen anne

#43 Of Magic Doors...

 

This photo I took on our trip to Ireland has been begging me to add one of my favorite sentiments so I decided to oblige.

When I looked at it I remember all the magic doors I've passed through; I can see them when I look back - that's part of the magic. I'm grateful they were there and that I was allowed to step through to the life I have now.

How about you? When you look back on your life, do you see where they were? Are you grateful, too?

-karen anne

#42 Eye Candy...

Sometimes I need a good dose of color and pattern to get me going. Here are two bits of both that made me happy today:

This is a closeup of an afghan I found at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I seem to have made it my mission to bring these home in all their colorful deliciousness. I hate that someone, somewhere, spent so much time and energy creating them only to have them be unappreciated and sold off for a pittance. My afghan orphans have flaws and funkiness, but they are special and brighten my home and I hope they know how very much I love them!

And how great would it be to have a colorful work like this in your neighborhood? It's one (of many!) by a French artist who paints over billboards and other advertising signs, transforming them from eyesores into works of urban art. 

"Cool! May we see more, please?" Well, okay, since you asked so politely, here's another:

Aaaah...pattern and color - it's just gotta be good for you, right??? Do you have some great, satisfying examples where you live?

-karen anne

#41 Tweaking Interiors...

Quite awhile ago I posted a picture of the green (Apple I by L. Ashley at Lowe's) bedroom in our home that had once been the Master bedroom, then Emily's room, and, most recently, where Megan has hung her hat when she's been in town between semesters in grad school. Here's how it looked in that post:

It looked okay, but it needed some punch, so I changed the dust ruffle to black, added black and white pillows from IKEA (less than $9 for each cover), changed the rug to two that I had made from leftovers from carpeting the hall, and changed out the art work and lamp with others I already had. I found the black velveteen quilt at the foot of the bed for $15 at a closeout sale. I made the lace curtains from lace I had bought for $1 a yard 23 years ago. (See? I knew it would come in handy!) I like it all the changes, and they cost less than $50! Here 'tis:

Hard to see here, but the lamp on the desk is a wonderful bright citron yellow.

One of my favorite things about the room is the small patchwork pillow on the bed that Megan made when she was 9 or 10. And I love the little bird above the bed. I'm still thinking I might want to add a open work crocheted canopy, but for now I'm finished and happy. Clean, bold, contemporary things are finding their way into all my rooms now... Curious.

Have you tweaked any of your rooms lately? Do you feel the need to add a touch of contemporary, too?

-karen anne

#40 It's true, it's TRUE!

I finished the design for the Christmas card!

Usually I start toying with ideas while I'm handing out Halloween candy, but this year I'll be able to be In The Moment with the little monsters and princesses and whoever/whatever appears on our doorstep seeking candy. (Which I have yet to buy since I've been busy with Christmas...)

Getting something of this import completed early is an amazing thing for me.

I'm flabbergasted.

(And for those of you who know me well: No, I'm NOT going to tweak it! It's done. Finished. FINITO!!! Honest and truly it is.)

#39 Got Love???

I hope so! I'm grateful that my life is filled to bursting with love - so much so that I decided I'd show some on the outside:

Love Necklace. 2010. wire, spray enamel, frayed/serged wool

The best love is never perfect. It's always a work in progress

and, sometimes, a bit frayed around the edges - hence the

rough edges of the black wool I used to hang the bent wire.

And since I'm still a flower child at heart, I couldn't resist

playing around with the image a bit!

Love...it really is the most important thing and the reason we're here. 

But you know that... right???

- karen anne

#38 Wearing Lines...

Wire Necklace I. 2010. wire, spray enamel, silicone cord with sterling closure

 The idea for this necklace has been gestating in my mind for quite a while but it wasn't until yesterday that it begged to be born. 

I love the idea of being able to wear lines drawn in wire...it reminds me of a pin I had as a child. I watched in total amazement as the artist twisted and bent a piece of wire 'til it formed my name! I loved that pin.

I have more ideas that have been waiting patiently to see the light of day, so I'd best get hopping and head to the studio. I hope your day will find you bringing new ideas to life, too!

- karen anne

#37 Yes! Inanimate objects can grin :-)

Maybe it's because I grew up with a father who claimed peas had feelings and we needed to make sure they all got eaten so none of them would feel neglected, and that violets cried when you picked them and separated them from their families, but, whatever the reason, I often get the sense that inanimate objects can express emotion. Here are two cases to support my claim:

A happy chair in Kinsale, Ireland

An exhuberant door near Dingle, Ireland

What things do you notice are smiling at you today???

- karen anne

#36 Looking on the Bright Side...

I had expected that Ireland would reveal itself in many shades of green, but I hadn't expected the brightly hued homes and shops we saw all over the place. It surprised me at first, but then I realized it was the logical complement to all the green and a brilliant (literally and figuratively!) antidote to the gray mists and rains that often cloak the isle. My penchant for color was satisfied and then some!

Colors like these could certainly do wonders for one's outlook on a dreary day, 'eh?

- karen anne

#35 More Irish Inspiration (and a bit of Diebenkorn)...

More of what inspired me on our trip to Ireland:

I love the poetry of this image; as if the water were a continuation of the stone wall...

Channeling my inner Diebenkorn maybe? It reminds me a bit of this painting of his:

n

 Richard Diebenkorn "Ocean Horizon", 1959 (Private collection)
Oil on canvas, 177.8- 162.6 cm .

Back to my photos...

Peace be with ye, Michael Hennessy.

Tomorrow? I think some of the colorful painting that tickled my fancy...

#34 Ireland...

Some of what I saw...

More tomorrow!

#33 The Art of Disappearing...

I'm getting better at it.

I didn't really have any projects to finish. I escaped to Ireland for ten days. More about that in future posts (I took lots of pictures!).

Today I wanted to share a poem I found by Naomi Shihab Nye, an American poet born in Palestine. It says exactly what I've thought. So. Many. Times. How about you? 


The Art of Disappearing

When they say Don’t I know you?
say no.

When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.

If they say we should get together
say why?

It’s not that you don’t love them any more.
You’re trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven’t seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don’t start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time. 

                   
-Naomi Shihab Nye

Sometimes it's really hard not to want to disappear for longer....

(Note: Today is my Dad's 91st birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Pops!)