I’m getting kinda convinced that these spirits are everywhere just waiting to become visible through some natural/elemental occurance… This was an ice formation on my car captured before my defroster took it from sight.
1 comment January 16th, 2008
BUT…I was struggling with the image of the Phoenix.. y’know the myth of the large eagle-like bird the was born from ashes, and then was consumed by fire and then again was reborn from the egg containing the ashes of its former self. So, it’s been used all over history, not that it diffuses the power of the myth, but actually, it reinforces it, I think. I have been committed to get back to painting every week, and this idea of being consumed by fire and then being reborn of the stuff, the remains, of the stuff that destroyed the life, is very fascinating. But anyway, in my most frustrated moment, I realized that my pallette was really tired and needed to be refreshed - y’know when everything looks vaguely purpley-brown - it’s time. When I place my dirty brush into the dirty bowl, the phoenix was born in the bowl - like an egg filled with ashes from the work of the day. OK… those of you who know me know that I am relatively pragmatic. This kind of thing does not usually make me all feeling connected to the ooey-gooey cosmic stuff of the universe when other people talk about it.. but man… you should been there. IT WAS AWESOME! Then - to top off the whole darn thing.. a Bald Eagle flew over my studio. In the 20 years I have been living here, I have not seen an eale with my own eyes.. so I thought that was , as Meg Ryan says .. “It was a Sign…”
2 comments January 16th, 2008
“A publication seeking to explore and expose the creative subtext that provides vital fuel, (inspiration) for our professions and community.”
I would like to start a publication for the community in and around Frenchtown. Our population has many incredibly talented people. Many of these people make a living with their talent. Many more of us have professions or businesses that have the SUBTEXT of that talent/skill/passion fueling the way our money is made or the way we would rather make our living. We are artists & activitists, musicians & actors, farmers & lawyers, writers & designers, engineers & architects, gardeners & doctors & teachers & homeopaths, carpenters & politicians, and on & on….This publication would be a compilation of articles and images written and created by the professionals who want to write/photograph/advertise their event/business/talent or just employ the muse. There are a bunch of blogs and websites for our community, yet nothing to really hold in one’s hand, and have coffee with, or take back home. To actually FEEL our home. I think this publication can serve to ground us - bring us together. Also create a voice for visitors to get to know us easier.I just don’t think the DelVal News has the capacity to represent the diversity of this community, nor the desire to impliment change as far as living locally - buying locally - growing locally - eating locally - supporting each other and knowing how to do that. I think this could make all of the difference in the ever-present struggle to maintain a sense of community and defining our presence within this world.So, really, I am just “musing” a little myself, here. So that I can begin to make this project become alive. If you have any ideas of desire to help me begin, let’s start talking!!
THE inspiration…
When Barry & I went across country last Spring, we stopped in a town in Colorado. It was in a valley - was probably a miner’s town - and had a river or two that crisscrossed throughout and around. It was relatively vital, had a lot of interesting stores, and seemed to have a lot of history and community. I knew this because I picked up a little publication that was very modest, very homemade, in the luncheonette where we ate breakfast. It was put together by the cook/owner. It was filled with local stories, some ideas, a little bit of art/music/community and business all rolled up together. It was named after the luncheonette. (Wish I can remember the name the of the town & restaurant, but we drove through so many places, it has become a blur.) But the impact remained. I was intrigued with the place, becoming envious of the community and how connected they all seemed. We stayed longer than we planned and really did not want to leave. Without that publication I would have had no inside info into the spirit of the town.Because I was coming back home to open “CIVILIAN”, it became one of the memorable “good & fun business” ideas that followed me back home. I wanted to put together a little publication that mimicked the one in Colorado, combined with the memory of “CREO” - do any of you remember the little publication of about 6 issues, that Jane Nash, Chuck Yax and I put together? - and call it the “Frenchtown Civilian”So, with the reality that good energy, creativity, intelligence and activism can change the world - change OUR world, help me begin. My thought is that it can be funded by the people who publish in it. We can easily print it up to 11×17 - newsprint - BW. I have only the thought created thus far… so any ideas are really so, so welcome.val
6 comments December 8th, 2007
The there was irony behind the tag line: “May we all remain civilian”. It is actually 5 (that’s FIVE) words, and the word “PEACE” is, indeed, 5 letters.. AND the traditional Tibetan Prayer flag is 5 flags, I knew that these flags NEEDED to become part of the world. The world might even need the flags to become part of the world. So knowing all of this, I knew that for the flags to be truly alive in a world that needs prayers of peace, I had to donate a part of the sale to some sort of “PEACE” organization. I pondered this… thought… and thought and then came up with Amnesty International.. and rethought that. Seemed too big and impersonal. And then thought “UNICEF”… again, too big and impersonal. Then thought, “I should call my friend Michelle, because she probably donates to some organizations that she could recommend. I picked up the phone to call Michelle, and realized.. “damn! I can’t call Michelle because she left her phone in her coat pocket in my store.”I walked passed the TV there, before my eyes, was the Dalai Lama, bowing to me, with a voice-over saying “Give to the himalayan-foundation.org. Helping displaced and struggling Tibetans (or something like this), find their way back to their homeland and find a better life.” Well, then there was nowhere else to look.So.. $5.00 of every flag sale is donated to the Himalayan Foundation. In January of 2008, I will make my first donation. I have about $50.00 so far, as of this date. Maybe these flags will really make a difference in the world.
Add comment November 17th, 2007
So here they are… The “CIVILIAN PEACE FLAGS”. Each letter has a different word embedded into it.P: MAYE: WEA: ALLC: REMAIND: CIVILIANStaying true to the Tibetan Peace Flag Tradition of setting up the flags in the wind to allow the elements to absorb and spread the prayer into the universe. As the flags deteriorate, the prayer becomes part of the elements.
There are some in the store to buy, and now I gotta make more
Add comment September 28th, 2007
Sometimes while pondering the presence of my civilian self in this world as an artist, mother, teacher, woman… I wonder if the “ART” that I am making, whether in ther form of canvases, prints, food or tee shirts, is communicating my heart and mind in ways that make bridges between people. In the way good art should create emotional and intellectual bridges between people.So the mind constantly wanders, and makes thing in it, and sometimes these “THINGS” become real, and sometimes they get displaced by other things.Last night, I went to the high school’s back to school night. Both of my kids are in high school now. I asked my son which of his teachers I should make sure I visit, and he said that he really likes his spanish class. So I though, hmmm, that is good because knowing Spanish has always been helpful to me. I asked him if he was learning more Spanish now, or if he thhought he was getting better at Spanish, and he said “NO” that he just really liked his teacher.So I went to his Spanish class. And I got it. She was not just teaching Spanish, She was teaching living in the world with Spanish as the vehicle. She was teaching communication first with Spanish as the tool. And there was a lot of humor, so as I always have felt, when you are tickled to laugh, your attention is activated, then real learning and memory begin to get charged. Boring teachers, put the learning mechanism to sleep. Most of the time, a boring teacher is just bored with his/her subject. RETIRE I SAY!! RETRE NOW!!! Get out of the way of learning al;l of you Bored teachers!!!Anyway - that was a little tangent.Really, the point of this text, was to introduce this idea, that made me laugh, of prayer flags in the shape of tee shirts. and each flag, in the Tibetan Tradition, would be one of 5 colors, blue, white, yellow, green, red - and they would be in the shape of little tee-shirts. With P-E-A-C-E ’s letters on each of 5 shirts.THE LETTER P would be made up of the word “MAY”THE LETTER E would be made up of the word “ALL”THE LETTER A would be made up of the word “CHILDREN”THE LETTER C would be made up of the word “REMAIN”THE LETTER E would be made up of the word “CIVILIAN”So there it is. Now i just gotta make them.FROM: http://www.westwindcollection.com/home/ww1/history_main.htmlPrayer flags are gentle reminders, bringing us back to our essence and helping us to open our hearts and minds. When we hang prayer flags, we create the intention for more kindness for ourselves and all beings.As they wave in the wind, prayer flags lift up and carry our wishes for compassion, peace and healing around the earth. Prayer flags encourage us to live more mindfully and help us to restore our own inner calm. A more peaceful world still must begin in each of us, one open heart at a time.It is a sign of respect to keep them off of the ground or floor and to have clear, beneficial intentions as they are being hung. The cloth frays and the printed images fade as they are released to the wind and the heavens. When they are well worn they are often burned, to release the last expression of prayer. It is also common to see old, tattered flags side by side with new ones, left to the elements.
1 comment September 20th, 2007
Please join us!
Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, October 7, 2007, is the final painting day for completion of the Tree of Life mural. Donors, pay a visit to choose where your name will appear in the mural and see the young mural artists at work.
The fund drive is still in progress. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. And, it’s not too late to have your name added! Donations of $200 will get your name integrated into the graphic on the wall in 2″ letters.
Some of you may have noticed the group of teenagers at work on the mural on the north side of 108 Harrison Street in Frenchtown. Who said ‘yes’ to this project? Well, River Union Stage said, “Yes, we would love to have this project be included in the RUS Outreach Program to help fuel the endless flow of imagination!” And about 15 area teens said “Yes, we would love to paint this mural,” and Michael Padovan, the building’s owner, said “Yes, a great project!” And Frenchtown’s Planning Board said, “Yes!” And Val Sivilli of Civilian Basics said “Yes, let’s go for it!”
Val adds, “So, now it’s your turn to say ‘yes’ to such a lovely fundraiser for our local theater group, who have brought Shakespeare, Puppet Theater, Film Festivals, plays and New Works Readings to our town - with a great commitment to the arts. I’m proud to be guiding this process and making the arts a physical presence in Frenchtown.”
Many thanks to donors Civilian Basics, The Frenchtown Pharmacy, Two Buttons, the Petivan-St. Onge family, local residents Catherine Lent and Pat Griffith, as well as all who have been adding to area collection jars.
Tax deductable donations can be made at Civilian Basics, by mailing your check to River Union Stage, PO Box 333, Frenchtown, NJ, 08825, or by American Express, Visa or MasterCard by calling RUS at 908-996-3685.
for more information, visit Civilian Basics blog
http://www.riverunionstage.org/
Add comment September 19th, 2007
As of today, Frenchtown Pharmacy and Two Buttons have contributed $200.00 each to have their names incorporated onto the mural. Of course, the mural is not completed as yet. Kids are starting sports at Del Val, and get really tired because it’s been hot, and they are a bit out of shape. We figure we have until October to finish painting, and as parts of the mural become complete, we will begin to incorporate our donors names into the graphic. Caligraphy by Catherine has also donated, as well as Pat Griffith. It’s NEVER too late!!!!
Nice photos, although, I am not REALLY a MISTER, and Ripley is not REALLY my son…. She is my daughter.
Add comment August 27th, 2007
We are starting to paint again Thursday 8-22, Friday 8-23 & Saturday 8-24. Come on down!
Add comment August 21st, 2007
If you haven’t noticed, the mural has started! We began early Saturday morning, and we are painting today, too. Come on down!
Add comment August 13th, 2007