I Pledge...

I cannot even begin to describe how completely awed I am by the fact that tomarrow is the Innaguration Day of a new movement and hope in my country.   I have been looking forward to this day for four and a half years.  I remember living in our cabin in Deschutes River Woods, cleaning the house on a bright sunny day, with Al at work, listening to Barack speak at the convention on NPR.  I remember it making me cry.  I remember it giving me hope.  

The last eight years I have been a total grump about our country.  I admit it. My attitude was quite lacking.  I felt hopeless.  I felt angry.  I felt unpatriotic.  I felt my voice of dissent was tiny and muffled and meaningless.   I remember hearing Neil Young sing about a leader that could change the course we were on- "Maybe it's Barack Obama, But they say that he's too young."  But, as the small spark of hope started to grow, as his momentum shifted, my attitude shifted.  It's good to be hopeful.  And while it kinda became a joke with our friends that Obama was all we talked about for the last three years or so- and what will we talk about now- I am happy to say-  The Rest is History.

And so, on this pre-Innaguration day- I am accepting the challenge that our new president has offered-  I am renewing my pledge to be the Change I want to see in the world with enthusiam and vigor.   And this is how-

• I pledge to keep the paths I walk and ride on litter free.
• I pledge to be kinder to the people I love, as well as the people I am not sure I love.
• I pledge to be a listening ear.
• I pledge to ride my bike or walk as much as I possibly can- and lower my weekly miles to under 50 a week as weather permits.  I also pledge to car pool as much as possible.
• I pledge to Support my husbands endeavors in the National Guard (though I will not trade my warhurts shirt for anything with eagles or flags)
• I pledge to unplug lights, conserve energy, and use up all the food I purchase.
• I pledge to remain positive, empathetic, and hopeful.  To love my neighbors and my enemies.

The Compass Shifts.

In Progress- a meditation.

"The unknown was my compass. The unknown was my encyclopedia. The unnamed was my science and progress. "  Anais Nin.

I've mentioned compasses before, I think.  I am sorta obsessed with them.  They pop up everywhere in my work, many times hidden. 

Suddenly, the poles have switched and everything is upside down and inside out. It happens.  I didn't realize last week when I was assessing resolutions how quickly west would become east.  Not for me, but for my best friend.  And I know it's random and strange to be posting this on a blog- so I apologize in advance to those who think blogs blur public and private to easily. But this is my blog, and it is my life and my art, and my life impacts my art.  So.   Owl is leaving in eleven days to serve our country, our new president. He is joining the Connecticut National Gaurd.  I am going to continue for now to live in Bend, focus on my artwork, on writing for the Source (who actually will be assigning me more stories- hooray), on my blooming relationship with Rise Up International (who I hope to accompany to Nicaragua this spring).  He is going to get to go to grad school for free, cut his hair, roll around in mud, wear camo, and see our neice and nephew every day.  It is going to be a huge, huge shift.  And there is a lot of unknowns.  And it's gonna be hard. The most difficult thing yet.  But, it is also going to be another grand adventure.  It is going to lead to amazing, wonderful things.  

Just so you know.

Art for India and Elevate

As I mentioned Last Week- The first weekend in August was an extravaganza of creativity. The Art for India Painting Party (check out the link for more pictures) on Friday night was a blast...

Notice the bird pattern, and Cameron Mills awesome outfit

Someone painted my portrait! (the rad ninja warrior)

Sarah Hubbard goin fishin.

Detail of the Birds

Sean Anderson Workin Hard


Our Weapons of Choice

Saturday shone bright for the Elevate Underground Art and Music Festival. Troy Field next to McMenamen's held numerous clothing, art, and miscellanea booths- including one for the artists of the PoetHouse. I proudly sold one of my art cards, paying for 1/3 of my burrito at lunch. It was yummy.

The Booth, When the Wind was calm

One of Nolan's (from Rise Up) rad Mirrors.

I had a bit of time to paint during the festivities. Before the painting party I hadn't picked up a paintbrush in a while, too busy with scissors... hopefully I will finish this one soon...

Settling In Nicely

The outside of the building- the PoetHouse Gallery is upstairs.

I'm sitting in my leather chair listening to Buffalo Springfield on vinyl, while the Rise Up folks quietly work on coordinating an event in LA. I am not completely situated as of yet, I don't have a desk, so I have been collaging on the floor. The new space is rad, with lots of natural light reflecting off the metal wall and the high ceilings. Within walking distance is excellent coffee, the post office, several of my favorite eateries, and Drake Park. Kelty is passed out on the wood floor, so I'm pretty sure she's comfortable here. There are constantly people coming in and out, artists, organizers, volunteers- I haven't met this many new people since college orientation.