Peanut Butter Drop!

A few weeks ago, my friend Marc decided to collect peanut butter. The food bank didn't fare so well on donations this past holiday. And, their number 1 request for food: peanut butter. Peanut butter is a great source of protein. Sadly, far too many people go without food these days. Actually 1 in 6 Tennesseans struggle with hunger. So Marc rallied everyone together and we each bought 1 or 2 jars. Check out Marc's message below.

"115.5 lbs of peanut butter collected so far! 78 jars! Wow. That's about 3600 sandwiches and change. And who says a small group of people can't make a difference?

Not to scare you guys (don't worry, I won't ask any more of you this year), but I can see this as an annual thing, and I can see it getting pretty big. If you're interested in hearing ideas for next year, and bringing up some of your own, I really think this could be something great for the food bank and for all of us to be a part of. Send me a personal message so we don't have to bother everyone with these group emails, and I'll organize something. I'll make a private group on Facebook and we can keep in touch.

Once again, you have all been wonderful... over 85% participation. And I guarantee that the people at the Food Bank will be very appreciative of everything you've done, so let me pass along their thanks in advance. I know it's just a couple of jars of peanut butter, but it will mean way more to someone who's hungry. Thanks again. Thanks thanks thanks I can't say it enough."

So check out your local food bank . . . Maybe there is an item you and your friends can rally around? Once or twice a year? It can make all the difference. Cultivate change.

This Too Shall Pass . . . GREAT Video!

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.

Museum And Menagerie was a BIG HIT!

Valentine's Prep!

In the wake of the December holidays, we prepare for Valentine's! Hope everyone is having a wonderful winter season! Ours has been unusually Spring-like! Cheers, 2012!

Filled With Sparkly Light!

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

2012: Best Wishes!

This year I happened to be in Savannah, GA for New Year's Eve. And, it was such a great little visit! I had a wonderful time with family and friends, and getting to know the town a bit.

We visited the brand new museum owned by SCAD. It is a beautiful building with a great must-see inaugural show! And, I got to see Brighter Day, owned by Peter and Janie Brodhead (Dede's brother). What was most fun was going to the beach! Tybee Island is about 40 minutes from Savannah and totally worth the drive. (See above: giant beaches!)

On the eve of 2012, we all decided to add some dress-up to our night. I had a plastic star sticking out of my hair, donned a mustache for the pic above, and dad wore his Mark Twain-inspired eyebrows all night long. Dede ran around in a tiara and pink boa! The day started out at Six Pence Pub, moved to Lamy and Paul Buck's house--complete with a giant bonfire, and ended up at a house-christening: friends of Janie and Peter, Steve and his wife bought and renovated the oldest Queen Anne Victorian house in Savannah, right alongside Forsyth Park. A Hoot of a night!

While away, I quickly scribbled down some New Year's resolutions. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. FINANCIAL STABILITY: Being a freelance artist comes with certain drawbacks. The pay is not steady, but can be great at times. My hope for 2012 is that I am able to secure a position that will enable me to worry less about my daily needs. (This is probably my biggest resolution--an umbrella resolution if you will, one that will affect other goals: a visit to the dentist (teeth don't fail me now), taking weekly Hot Yoga classes (oh my back), supporting education and arts-based Kickstarter projects, updating my wardrobe, and finally running that half marathon.)

2. MAKE MORE ART: 2011 was an extremely busy year for me. And, I hope it continues. For 2012, I would like to participate in as many art shows as I can, provided that the quantity of shows does not outweigh the quality of the work. (See that yarn below: images like this are things of my dreams!)

3. BEGIN TO COOK AGAIN: I used to cook all the time. Sadly, I have not even been to the grocery store once--for groceries--since moving back to Nashville (a whole year!). For 2012, I will start cooking again, using fresh ingredients and exciting new recipes. I want to be able to entertain friends and focus on healthy foods.

4. SEE [PEOPLE] MORE: I am a bit of a workaholic. And, I have a tendency to hole up in my studio for days. I need to get out more. In 2012, I hope to see my nephews, sister Kerry, and my mother more. I hope to travel to various parts of the United States and possibly see another country (my wish list includes France and Spain).

5. READ/WRITE/READ. Not online. Real, live books. I want to surround myself with words. I want to read more, write more, and get back to the poetry I was writing in Baltimore.

To a happy and gracious 2012! Let's get this party started!

Thank you . . .

www.oldmadegood.com

Seventeen Evergreen!!

Seventeen Evergreen - Polarity Song from Lucky Number Music on Vimeo.

Scenes From a Nashville Christmas, Part 5.

Homemade Holidays!

I was proud of my shopping this year. None of it involved the mall, and about 97% of it was handmade.

This year's Christmas involved me giving only hand-fashioned items or books as gifts. My sister received a cuff bracelet made out of a license plate and a penny on a chain stamped with PLAY, both from Art and Invention. My mother received stationary and a gift card to buy the latest James Patterson book. I made each of my nephews a cape with the first letter of their name on the back (playfully transformed into a superhero emblem). My dad and Dede received a beautiful book of photographs and stories by my friend John Guider. And, my brother-in-law Nic received a journal to encourage him to continue writing.

My sister commissioned me to make a small painting for her grandmother-in-law, a pelican (middle image). And, my friend Milo received a string of bunting emblazoned with his name (top image).

Handmade Christmas: this is one tradition I'd like to keep going!

Live Colorfully!

Scenes From a Nashville Christmas, Part 4.

Museum And Menagerie: a Benefit For Safe Haven . . .

I have been asked to help out with an exciting fundraiser and gala event in support of Safe Haven, a nonprofit organization serving Nashville’s homeless families.

Safe Haven is the only shelter-to-housing program of its kind in Middle Tennessee that accepts the entire homeless family. Safe Haven keeps the family together and provides comprehensive services that empower families to achieve lasting self-sufficiency. Safe Haven has an emergency shelter program and offers a Transitional Housing Program and Rapid Rehousing Program.

Safe Haven’s comprehensive approach is one of service, compassion, trauma-informed care, and evidenced-based practices.

Feld Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live entertainment, has partnered with local photographer Allen Clark to host Museum & Menagerie: A Circus Celebration from Past to Present benefiting Safe Haven on January 12, 2012.

Clark was granted access behind the scenes of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus to create an exhibit featuring animals and performers that capture the fundamental beauty and magic of these classic icons. The photographs will be included in a silent auction to take place at the event. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, drinks, performers, items on display from the Ringling Bros. museum and live music by the band Bear Cub.

Check out the fun props they had at one of our meetings! More images coming soon!

Winter Festival of Wonders . . . 2012 Submission.

Scenes From a Nashville Christmas, Part 3.

Belmont Bruin: I am one . . .

So I just finished my first semester back in graduate school (all A's, hooray!!). It was never my intention to get a second masters, but this teacher certification came with one . . . I mean: the more, the merrier--right?

I am in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Belmont University's Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for individuals who wish to develop careers in teaching. It's a 45 credit-hour program offered in a variety of flexible formats so students can self-pace their program of study. I am getting my certification in art.

During the past semester, I took two courses: Diverse Learners and Contemporary Issues in Education. Both were inspiring and thought-provoking. But, this program is so drastically different than the graduate program I completed in Baltimore. In this program, I do not engage with other graduate students in my field, nothing is based in art, and I take classes with sophomore undergrads. (And, I don't spend 5 days in classes . . . ) It's making me think using a whole different part of my brain, which is stimulating and exciting! We shall see what happens!

More soon . . .

Scenes From a Nashville Christmas, Part 2.

Emma's back: just in time for HOLIDAYS!

My friend Emma and her boyfriend Chris moved back to Nashville on December 1st. And, it's been an exciting, whirlwind of activity ever since! Emma and I met in Nashville during my first stint of living here, way back in 2003. We were both painting shoes for a company called, Kiss My Feet. It's where I met several of my still-very-close-to-me friends: Kelly Kerrigan and Drew Frazier, to name a few.

Emma was living in Medford, Wisconsin, where she's from. I moved up to Medford at the end of the summer of 2005. I lived there for a year. It's where I met Doug Grant and continued teaching classes under the guise of Blueraku. Emma and I have gone through many changes in our lives, but we've kept in touch this entire time.

So, when she moved back, it was like nothing had changed. I talk to her almost every day, like when we were living in Medford at the same time. And, we bounce ideas off of each other every chance we get. She is a constant source of inspiration to me!!

It is so great to have her back in town, living just down the street. I can't wait to see her parents and sister when they come to visit! Hooray for old friends and good times!!