New Day Reveal

I can think of at least a dozen reasons I FORGOT

to post the final photo of the

Community Painting done for the infusion room

at the Seby B. Jones Cancer Treatment Center...

but I will skip them and present instead:

"New Day"

acrylic, 36" x 24" on cradled board

a community collaboration

Thank you to those of you who asked.  This IS the final rendition, sealed, framed and delivered.  I think the colors, the thoughts and the touch of whimsy turned out even better than I imagined.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programing.  Enjoy this beautiful season of cheer.

COLOR FULLY YOURS,

Cindy

Art Heals - So Does the Act of Painting

"Have you ever executed something like this?"

the Committee Chair inquired.  No, I had to confess.

This would be a first.

But this I know: Art plays a role in healing.

So with the blessing of the Oncology Manager and the Art Committee Chairwoman of the Seby B. Jones Cancer Treatment Center in Boone, NC, I set out to organize what I proposed as a "community painting".  It would engage anyone who wanted to paint a portion of a line drawn composition and the end result (hopefully)would be suitable for hanging in the oncology infusion room.  Healing Ceilings was a past project I loved and my hope was to provide similar healing energies and painted prayers in this one painting. (This article even shows one of my contributions.)

I chose my open houses during Tour de Art to invite guests in to paint.  Here's the way the story unfolded throughout the summer:

Parts of this paper schematic were transferred to the board, 36 x 24 (above)

and a painting station with instructions set up (below).

friends, singles, couples and families...all came.  Very few deemed themselves artists

but all had a personal reason they wanted to provide a bit of cheer for

cancer patients and caregivers.  It was my pleasure to hear these

stories while meeting lots of new folks.

Little by little the piece took on a life of its own.

"Guests artists" were encouraged to be creative, make changes, add their touch.

Sometimes I would turn around and just laugh over how the latest

additions had enhanced the energy of the piece.

Most everyone remembered to sign their name on the back...

unprompted, some left messages of experience, hope and love.

I met men and women from several states.  I knew no one's political, religious or educational background.  We simply possessed the common purpose of wanting to share some healing love with someone who was experiencing a treatment with which we were all, in some way, familiar.  

A side benefit was the opportunity for me to encourage many who had never painted to make a big splash on their first attempt: a piece of public art!  woo - hoo....that's rare.  Community collaborations are always inspiring in surprising ways and this was no different.

I delivered the painting (titled "It's a New Day,") recently and was appreciative of the recipients' enthusiasm.  It is likely that no one who views the art will actually know any of us who made our mark on it.  But it is our collective wish that while they spend some time viewing it (and thus not thinking of meds and painful reactions) they will soak up the spirit contained within it...it is truly infused with healing vibes and loving mojo, packed with positive thoughts and prayers for a brighter day.

Just how special is that?

ART HEALS,

Cindy

p.s.  My title claims that the act of painting also heals, well...you shoulda been there!  It is amazing what we can do when we are doing it for someone else!

High Country Tour de Art

I love to peek behind the scenes.

To look behind the magic curtain, lift the veil of mystery,

watch how the sausage is made...all terms for

getting to see where something is created.

Observing the mechanics of any process leads to new respect.

So let me invite you to this year's High Country Tour de Art, the 9th annual. On the fourth Saturday of the next six months area artists and galleries will throw open their doors to invite the public into the inner sanctums of creation.  It's a day to ask questions, exchange ideas, wander about and perhaps try something new.  

Wonder what the difference between "wheel thrown" pottery and "coiled" is?  Confused about the choice of acrylic versus oil?  And just where do those off-the-wall ideas come from?  This is your day to load up the car, download a map here (or get one at your first stop) and head out.  Any artist will be happy to recommend the perfect lunch spot.  If you are here all summer, it's a great tour for your guests or one you can do little by little over several months.

I'M EXCITED because I have a new potter in my studio AND a fun community project for you to join.

just a sample of Eric Reichard's great work

Eric is bringing in new work daily and after you check out his website you will want to see the real stuff.  Eric and Maggie Black (my studio neighbor) have worked together and it was her recommendation that brought this beautiful new addition to my work space.  Come check it out.

ALSO, join me as together we create the brightest, happiest painting this side of the Blue Ridge to be donated to the Seby B. Jones Cancer Treatment Center on the Watauga Medical Campus here in Boone.  Many of us know loved ones who have spent hours receiving chemo treatments. It's a tedious, scary length of time and whether you are the patient or the caregiver old magazines don't do much for distracting you from worry. 

Remembering the fun of participating in the Healing Ceilings Project I contacted our own Treatment Center only to discover their Art Committee was currently exploring the idea of how art aids the healing process.  They embraced the project and I have promised them that everyone slapping on some color, outlining an object or adding a design to this 36" x 24" painting will be autographing the back of it with love and good wishes.  

I'll be sharing more on this project as it develops but you don't have to be able to "draw a straight line" to help out.  The lines will be drawn, the colors are out and paint brushes provided.  All you have to do is add your touch, make a mark or paint by number.  Let's make something that takes time to look at, that will be so full of color and lines and designs and objects that anyone sitting down for their treatment will go off into a new world where there is hope and promise.  

Saturday, June 24, that's tomorrow!  Come on by 112 Clubhouse Drive, right off Hwy 105 in Foscoe. We are officially open at 10 am (you know I'm there earlier) and happy to see you until 5 pm.  If you get lost call me at 32-795-0816 and I'll give you a landmark.  

and guess what?  there is no limit to the number of times you can come!!  

See you tomorrow,

Cindy