Honorary Poets and Painters!

This past Monday we finished up our project with the PACE Center for Girls.  This is a project that we undertook as part of our Beyond Words show where we wanted to engage in some type of community outreach with the emphasis on girls and creativity. We will have one final field trip day with the girls next week where they will come to visit the show at the Casselberry Art House and hang their own words on Myrtle, our PoeTree. This experience with the girls has been amazing! In the beginning, we didn't know what to expect. I mean we are OLDER, and these are teenage girls after all. At the first visit, we could feel the tentative curiosity. We shared a little about ourselves and the importance of art and writing. The second visit, we were greeted with girls who were happy to see us back!  We worked on our journals using collage on the covers to create a special place for their expressions and to gather words and images. By the third visit, we saw these beautiful souls open up. We discussed and worked on "I Am" poems. Positive descriptive words were flying around the room!  Sassy, creative, observant, funny, daredevil, confident, strong, patient, and gentle. And I believe I can say that the Poets & Painters were collectively BLOWN AWAY by their words...by their bravery. 

We all were ignited and inspired and lifted. 

By the end of this third visit, they let us know that we will be missed.

I hope they take a little bit of this experience with them as they continue to grow. 

I know each of us will. 

Squishy, squashy Jellyfish!

I love working at the Craft Shack. It is a wonderful historic house located here in Longwood and owned by my friend and crafting co-hort, Debbie Helton. If offers classes for preschoolers, summer camps for gradeschoolders, and workshops for adults. In addition to helping part-time with day-to-day activities, I also help teach some of the preschoolers. Today's we created a FUN bubble-wrap jellyfish! The kids really enjoyed making him, and I just think he is adorable!

Until next time, Lovebeams to you!

WE did it!!

Our show, Beyond Words, opened on May 9th! We pulled it off, and not only did we pull it off, it was a great success. Tons of people, lots of smiles and sales, plenty to eat and drink, and some fab art and poetry!

The amazing Myrtle was the true star of the show. Many collaborative hours were spent creating this beauty. Here she is before the opening.  We had an assortment of paper birds and leaves with the idea that people could choose one and write a few words...maybe their favorite poem, maybe a quote, or their impression of the show.  I am happy to report that at the end of the night her limbs were heavy with words added by happy attendees. What a mix of inspiration and courage and joy!! 

We all painted our shoes for the night, and these are my "Goody Two" shoes. I LOVE THEM!!

Mary and I toting Myrtle out for another session of creating. I have learned so much from working with these lovely ladies. Not just about collaboration, but compromise and work ethic, and digging deep and getting it done!!

Ripping rags for Myrtle's trunk. Problem solving, voicing our opinions, and figuring it out are just a few of the ingredients involved in a successful collaboration. Oh, and let's not forget the power tools! 

During this whole process we wore many hats. At times we felt like gardeners, dressmakers, carpenters, as well as writers and artists. 

 So proud of us!  (Me, elle o'dowd, Anne-Marie Colwell, and MK Shaw) aka Poets & Painters