"Rabbit Moon"

We've had a rabbit year.  They are in abundance!!  As the nights grow longer this seemed an appropriate art piece to select.  Each week I pick one item to offer at a special price….just another way to have fun and give back since each "Pick of the Week" goes towards charity.

I believe his name says it all. “Hamlet” has a Shakespearian quality that is rough and ragged yet poetic and polished. I’m tempted to adopt him myself but would be happy if he found a loving home since the total purchase price of the "Pick of the Week” always goes toward charity. Visit the charity section of my blog if you’re curious.  Hamlet is half price this week. Enjoy

My family had a poodle named “Fifi” when I was a tot. I don’t remember her being as glamorous as this little lady. 

Last week was my first official "Pick of the Week."  "Sage" sold in about 20 minutes when I announced the original artwork on Facebook.  A few days later, some disturbing news arrived about my friend Walkin’ Jim Stoltz. How is it that one of the healthiest, kindest, most gentle of souls could be struggling with a nasty medical challenge? He has a place on his site for donations to help with the medical expenses and there it went - the moola from the first “Pick of the Week.”  "Fifi" is half price.  Her sale will support one charitable cause or another.  Check out Jim's site if you've a moment and a hankering to meet one of the extra special people who grace this planet (Jim is quite extrodinary)

I have been enamored with colts who spring about this time of year under the watchful eyes of their mothers’. “Sage” seems like a mother to me…a calm, quiet, dark-eyed beauty. She is the second “Pick of the Week”…a new fun thingee on my website where I offer original art for half price with the money going to charity. “Sage” is viewable on the website until she sells…

Goose bumps and grinning, I must say it is tough to write or type when the warm fuzzies take over. Yesterday morning Al Roker from The Today Show landed in Bozeman, MT to “lend a hand” to Eaglemount - a volunteer organization near and dear to my heart. Just after sunrise, (I hear they met at 4:00 a.m. to film) thousands and thousands of dollars worth in donations were given to the deserving program. The Eaglemount website explains their program: “Imagine yourself in this place of extraordinary possibilities . . . a place where the power of the human spirit triumphs and miracles are celebrated regularly . . . Eagle Mount Bozeman is committed to provide quality therapeutic recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and young people with cancer, and to provide support for families of participants so that “they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)

My own heartwarming (and giggle inducing) experiences as an Eaglemount volunteer have enriched my life (follow the charity blog tag). The organization was given a total of 1.23 million in products, services, land, and solar panels.  Even Tom Brokaw gave one of his own horses to the program. I am tickled…thrilled…thankful.

The Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston is special.  The facilities are top notch.  The love and care of the community and staff is above and beyond the norm.  Every year they host the Fur Ball as a fundraiser at  Chico Hot Springs (Friday, May 21st).  “No boring sit down dinner, no long speeches! Exclusive  raffle tickets can be purchased before or at the event: only 100 $50 tickets will be sold and the winner chooses any auction item.” I will be in “Chocolate City USA”  that week working magic with chocolate but I always donate art.  Kris King selected two of my personal favorites for the auction. 

“Austin” (the dog) and Dr Pepper (the cat) will be framed and “show-ready” for the event. “At the Stafford Animal Shelter we house the homeless, feed the hungry, and on the side we run a matchmaking service.”

Little one-year-old Faolan was born with an extra thumb.  A fun-filled fundraiser will be held this Friday at the Eagles in Bozeman (8 pm).  A friend of the family selected these two art works for the auction.

“Fawn”

“Bird in a Bush”

I skied with Becki.  We threw snowballs.  We sang.  We “shot” each other while she chased me in a game of cops and robbers.  When Becki “chases” me I can get her to turn more and snowplow less.  We made up a rap song on the lift.  We traded places while Becki played the “instructor.” She was pretty serious about her instructions and I thought I’d come up with a good idea until she gleefully shot past me and took off down the hill “to show me how its done.”   We snowplowed (lots).  We laughed and hugged…and hugged and laughed.  Then I filled the routine report, snuck out of the hut without engaging the staff and trudged across the mud to my truck where I broke out in tears and cried my way down to the highway. Lordy.  My innards have been a mess of gloppy goo.  Alas gloppy goo is better than hardened cement.  I visited with my dear sweet smart kind and caring surgeon earlier in the week and was assured the emotional swings and deep depression are common in women who have undergone recent hysterectomies.  Of course somehow I thought I would be different than most and am shocked at the depth and length of darkness and emotions.  I can say that rising above the muck for someone like Becki is worth the energy it takes to muster my gumption.  The day on the slopes volunteering for Eagle Mount and skiing with Becki was a good thing and the tears…?…well …just part of my healing process.  Encouragement, support and compassion from close friends have me humbled and grateful.  Some days it  feels like I’m slipping on a loose scree slope where a steady hand and safe belay make all the difference.   Luckily I have incredible friends who understand.  I’m awkward at best while learning to open and receive.  What a journey.  Eagle Mount is a volunteer program to provide quality recreational activities for people with mental and physical disabilities.  See past posts about other great (and tearless) Becki ski days.

“Do you know why they put us together?”  Becky asked me.  “Why?” I asked her.  “Because we’re BOTH crazy!”  she said.  I laughed.  “We’re CRAZY!!  We’re both from the funny farm!” She said gleefully.  “"You make me laugh because you’re crazy!  You’re really crazy!!  Laughing is good.  Do you know why?  Because laughing makes me feel good!  Laughing is good for you!!  You’re funny!!”  Becky said with exuberance.  We cackle.  We giggle.  We shout.  We throw snowballs.  We sing.  We make up songs.  We HOOT and shout encouragement from the chairlift to other disabled skiers and their volunteers below. I listen.  She teases.  I tease her back.  We hug…lots. We talk about boys, food, chocolate, movies, mountains, countries, people, places, chocolate and boys (yes…I said chocolate and boys twice - we say many things multiple times).  She apologizes when she is scared.  She brags when she accomplishes something beyond her fear.  I coax.  I encourage. We ski.  But mostly we laugh.  Eagle Mount is a volunteer program for the disabled.  

Technorati Tags: Eagle Mount,mentally disabled,skiing,montana artist,creativity,volunteer programs

“What a BEAUTIFUL day,” I said looking up at the Bridger Mountains from the chairlift where I sat next to Becki.  “I am so glad to be here.”

“YES!!” she shouted triumphantly.  “I am so glad to be here.  Do you know where we would be if we weren’t here?  Guess where we would be.  Do  you know where we would be?”

“Where would we be?”

“We would be STUCK.  Stuck.  We would be stuck like a window chewing up the walls” Becki said.

I repeated her statement.  She repeated her statement.  “Chomp chomp” I said with a grin.  Becki’s eyes were barely visible behind goggles; the helmet with yellow lightning stickers matched her jacket stained like a child’s bib down the front of her giggling jiggling body. 

I sat next to this mentally disabled being, our feet dangled below the chairlift above the white snow slopes.  The image of a window occupied my mind.  Clean.  Clear.  The wonderfully pale blue wall crumbled like a cookie as the window made loud destructive satisfying chewing sounds.   Sunlight beamed  through crystal clean glass.  How wonderful to share the lift with this special gleeful person. 

Each Thursday I ski with Becky as a volunteer for the Eagle Mount program.   Time with her on the mountain is a gift that charges my heart with energy even while my healing body struggles to keep up with the physical effort.  The image of the wall-eating-window has stuck with me and I wonder…

…perhaps being an artist is a bit like being that window.

I’m curious – do you think being an artist is like being a window that chews up the walls?

“Storm Bird”

“Honest Abe”

While I am happy to be able to donate artwork for important fundraisers - I never actually select the art myself.  Thankfully, Eli’s good friend Bev selected two pieces for the upcoming benefit for the Isaly family.  Eli Isaly sustained serious injuries in a car accident December 28th.  He is a young exceptional being from the kind of family that makes our little community shine.  Laura Bray of The Frame Garden donated time and materials to frame the artworks for the auction event taking place February 21st (1:00- 4:00) at the Elks Lodge in Livingston.  I just love how much my little town bands together at times like this!!

A few summers ago I had the privilege to accompany 10  young students from our little town of Livingston to our “sister city” of  Naganohara, Japan.  The cultural exchange between the two beautiful towns is the kind of stuff I believe strongly in.  Travel stretches the minds, hearts, souls, and perception of our young people by exploring and sharing openly with another culture.  Neither Naganohara or Livingston are actually “cities.”  Rather they are both small towns in valleys along rivers with natural hot springs near by.  At least those are a few of the reasons why we were “paired.”  I’ve zillions of stories from a grand trip.  The Sister City Program is having an auction soon so of course I donated art.    Does your “city” have a sister city?  “Ray of Light” donated to the Sister City Auction

Honored that I was asked to be one of the first artist's to donate artwork for the Bridger Alternative High School permanent art collection. The art collection is the brain child of Stacey Herries who launched several new programs for the students during the past year. Her dedication to “at risk” youth is unwavering, empowering and downright impressive. "Jazz" found a good home.

Livingston has an exceptional animal shelter.

 

  Each year they host the "Fur Ball" to raise money.                             Jon Ellen Snyder wrote on Facebook about the two artworks I donated to the Stafford Animal Shelter. "They were both BIG hits! Thank you so much!!! You helped us raise lots of money for the Shelter and we appreciate your generosity VERY VERY MUCH!!!"     I'm always glad when my artwork is "adopted" into loving homes...but especially glad when the art helps a good cause.

March, 14, 2009  

Kathryn Baker Bornemann wrote a kind thanks on Facebook for the donation. Little Kellan Young has been diagnosed with a rare genetic heart disorder. Here's what Kathryn wrote: "I wanted to say thank you for your very generous donation to Kellan Young’s benefit. The fundraiser was a great success thanks to you and so many really kind people here in Livingston. Proceeds have gone to Kellan’s growing medical expenses. Your horse painting was a great hit – And it was beautifully framed! We’re looking forward to April 1st at Pine Creek.Seems like we never get out for a date night!!! Thanks again for your kindness!! "

March 14, 2009

Little Sara has Down ’s syndrome and LOVES to ski. Rose and I are volunteers in the Eagle Mount Program. Eight weeks of skiing once a week with Sara fostered a serious case of warm fuzzies and good memories.