Great East Japan Earthquake Remembrance Ceremony

Okiagari-koboshi

I was privileged to be invited to the Great East Japan Earthquake Remembrance Ceremony & Luncheon today by the Consulate General of Japan (Detroit) at the Lansing State Capital Rotunda.  I was invited as a representative of both the Michigan/Shiga Sister State Board and as a printmaker member of the Baren Forum and it's "Inspired by Japan" Relief fundraiser.
The Consul General of Japan, Kuninori Matsuda gave a very moving speech thanking "all of our friends across Michigan - individuals, schools, churches, non-profits, corporations and local governments- for your generosity and your solidarity with the Japanese people."  We know that this gift truly stems from kizuna: the bond of friendship."
Speeches were also given by our Governor Rick Snyder and Lansing's Mayor Virg Bernero.  Mrs. Mary Fales, mother of a Michigan man teaching English in Kesennuma City at the time of the earthquake spoke of her son's experience and Dr. Jeffrey Angles read original and translated poetry written in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Each guest recieved a gift from Fukushima (pictured above).  The folk art doll represents the mind of the Tohoku people who are calmly and patiently working on reconstruction with the spirit of "never give up" in the aftermath of the Great Earthquake, as it always stands up with gentle smile however many times it is knocked over. 
I tried to knock it over.  Like our own Weeble's, it bounces right back up when you knock it over!

Reclamation

Reclamation

In October 2011, I was Artist in Residence at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.  With old growth forests, waterfalls, Lake Superior and a plethora of hiking trails, I was inspired until I was overflowing.

We were fortunate to go on two guided hikes with Park Interpreter, Bob Wild, which I highly recommend you do if visiting there.  The first was an early evening bear den hike – during a time when posted signs in the Park said “Bear Activity is High”! The second was a twilight, 90 minute guided hike through the former town site and copper mill of the Nonesuch Copper Mine.  The former copper mill’s limestone building shells and processing pits are slowly disintegrating and there is talk of archeological work being done there in the future if funding can be found.

It was the old town site that really interested me.  The buildings are long gone – torn down or moved during the Depression.  Lilac bushes and fruit trees that now feed only wildlife are the only things left that show that humans inhabited the town site. As we walked back out of the area, the full moon shone down on Nonesuch.  The relatively young trees, holding on to the last of their golden leaves, glowed softly.  The Reclamation by the Wilderness was well on its way.

Adagio

Adagio

 

 

Adagio - A tempo having slow movement; restful, at ease.

The deep snow at the edge of the fields demands that you move slowly and carefully, easing your way, quieting your spirit.
The dried milkweed pods softly rattle in the crisp bursts of wind creating soothing music like wooden wind chimes.
The low winter sun casts lengthy shadows, stretching toward...........spring. 
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Ovid Elsie Print Project

Last December I was asked to do a demo of moku hanga for Ovid-Elsie National Arts Honor Society by teacher, Laura Weber.  It's one thing to do a demo but when in a school there has to be homework, right?  I gave the class small shina blocks from McClains Printmaking Supply and had them do a self portrait of their eye.  The worked on them over the holiday break, I picked them up a week ago and gluedd them down on a mat board.  This way they would all have each others work. Yesterday we printed.  A lot of the students had sports practices or drivers ed after school this day so it was a small class.  They all got to print a couple prints so that their classmates would have also one.

515 Gallery Opening

515 Gallery Management Class w/ me in the middle

 January 14, 2012 was the opening reception for the 515 Gallery exhibit, 

"women with a(rt) purpose". 

515 Gallery is run by the Gallery Management Class of Clare (MI) High School and their exceptional teacher, Kim Kleinhardt.  The students select the artists, do all communications & advertising, hang the show, man the reception, introduce the artists, take care of all sales - everything!  

I was amazed first by the concept of the Gallery Management Class.  Then I was completely taken with the professionalism of the gallery.  

They did a first class job that rivals any gallery I have been to.

Banner

 The city of Clare put up banners of the exhibit on the street lamps.

The gallery was packed!

Even though the day before there was enough snow to close schools and that this evening it was

4 degrees outside, I would guess over 200 people came to the opening reception!

 

 My prints were very nicely displayed.

 

 Katie Chichester beautifully expressive oil paintings of rural scenes. 

She is a graduate of the Gallery Management class.

Puppet Theater front

Carrie Anne Parks (faculty at Alma College) clay Puppet Theaters were so richly detailed.  Four of them were displayed so the front could be seen from outside the Gallery.  Here is the front & back of one theater.  (My camera fogged up a little when I went out to take pictures so the colors aren't as bright as in person.)

Puppet Theater back

 Winter hours for the Gallery are Saturdays, 1pm - 4pm.  This exhibit will be up until March 31.

Katie Chichester, Kim Kleinhardt, Carrie Parks, Linda Beeman

women with a(rt) purpose

"women with a(rt) purpose"

Featuring Linda J. Beeman, Carrie Parks-Kirby and Kate Chichester

Exhibit opening Saturday, January 14, 2012 with a reception from 6-9pm

515 Gallery

515 N. McEwan St.

Clare, Michigan

Holiday Cheer at Jordan Gallery

 

Tonight was an evening of refreshments, casual shopping and holiday cheer at the beautiful Jordan Gallery. I, along with photographer Michael D-L Jordan, textile artist Marti Liddle-Lameti, jewelry designer Janet Baugher and multi media artist Bonnie Brown, visited with guests and shared our work.

 

Linda and gallery owner, Mistie Jordan

Good flow of people all night long

My high school art teacher and now my friend, Bonnie Brown.  Her tulip painting is on the wall behind her.

Michael and Mistie Jordan with Michael's photography.

 The Jordan Gallery just opened this September in downtown Owosso.  A beautiful gallery with exposed old brink walls and hardwood floors, I am very pleased to have my work here.