The Power of the Purse

I contributed several colorful clay purse cupcakes to the “Power of the Purse” silent auction sponsored by the Center for Women’s Philanthropy. This is the third year I’ve participated in this event. I love the title and it makes me think the “power of the purse” is a concept girls and women should consider exploring in their lives, relationships, and marriages. Throughout history, fathers and husbands have held the purse strings. Daughters and wives often resorted to manipulation as a way of accumulating resources of their own. Financial resources dictate our ability to make choices…to make decisions about our own lives and even our bodies. Financial empowerment impacts the way we view ourselves and even how others view us. This is not just an issue about working women versus non-working women. There are many income producing women who have little control over their pocketbooks; there are women not in the employment sector who exercise considerable control over family resources. What about you? Do you feel you have power over your purse?

Molly’s Gallery= Art and Healing

Molly’s Gallery was awarded a grant for the Women Supporting the Arts, Stuart/Martin County to go towards the Gallery’s Art and Healing program in 2010.  For more information, go to TC Palm.

Zero Calorie, Zero Guilt Cupcakes

Modern society is weight obsessed. The business of losing weight in the United States has “ballooned” into a 30 billion dollar a year industry according to MSN Money. The cost of losing 30 pounds ranges anywhere from $300 to $5,000 depending upon the diet plan. What is your view of your body? Do you agonize over your weight? How can we resolve to be accepting of our body image on one hand and making good choices about our health on the other hand?

I sculpted a series of clay cupcakes entitled, “Zero Calorie, Zero Guilt Cupcakes”.  At least one of my five senses can enjoy the deliciousness of these tempting treats even if my tongue can’t.

The Healing Power of Art

I’m excited about The Healing Power of Art 2010- http://bit.ly/82dtgN. I am art director for the Jeremiah Project, an after school and summer art program for at risk middle school aged students. I have seen the transformative power of clay in the hands of kids who previously never included “creative” or “artistic” in their self definitions. These kids have so little access to arts programming. It’s wonderful to find an exhibition devoted to promoting this concept.

Resilience Training vs. Antidepressant Meds

I work with at-risk middle school aged students in an arts education program. I was really interested in an article broadcast on NPR’s Morning Edition today entitled, “Emotional Training Helps Kids Fight Depression”. The article cites studies conducted by Jane Gilham of the Penn Resiliency Program at the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating that negative thinking (calling yourself stupid) can lead to depression. The program has developed a curriculum aimed at teaching middle school aged students strategies to challenge such thought patterns. Such training, which was implemented at a school in West Harlem, Gilham argues, can be as powerful as taking antidepressant medicines

Be Brave! Forget About that Beige!

 Before Christmas I spent a morning on a “Tour of Homes” fund-raiser for The Atlantic Center of the Arts, a really cool arts in residence program in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. One of the homes was described as a Tuscan-style Italian country home owned by Jeffrey and Paige Gehris, who also own the fun, colorful Garlic Italian restaurant in NSB. Their home is the very definition of my “Be Brave, Lose the Beige” mantra. There is no beige or taupe to be found in this house. Beautiful, natural wood imported from their property in Vermont comprise their circular staircase, overhead beams, bookshelves and floors. I fell in love with the turquoise, lime green, pumpkin walls in the various rooms and the purple or yellow ceilings in others…all very tastefully done. Their majolica pottery embellish their beautiful kitchen which is also equipped with a cobalt blue cast iron stove imported from England. This was the most beautiful home I’ve ever visited. Their brave choice of gorgeous rich colors is further evidence you don’t always have to choose beige or taupe to be tasteful.

Creativity- Am I Missing Something?

There was an interesting segment on  CBS Sunday Morning  called The “Wellspring of American Creativity”. The following is an excerpt.

“Creativity is the ability to give the world something it didn’t know it was missing,” said Daniel Pink. “Create something fundamentally new, like the iPod. You have tens of millions of people now who carry around an iPod. Eight years ago I don’t think they knew they were missing an iPod.”. The show goes on to say,

Even without your iPod, author Daniel Pink’s views may be music to your ears. A former speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore, Pink now writes about creativity, and believes we all have at least some potential. “You have it ’cause you’re a human being,” Pink said. “Now when I say everybody’s creative, doesn’t meant that everybody is a budding Picasso or a budding Edison or a budding Toni Morrison. But the human species is defined by its ability to create.”

I’m facinated by how people define creativity.  What is your definition?

Santa’s Tip- Toast Yourself for Living Through the Past Year

 The final piece in my “Santa’s 12 Tips for an Ideal Christmas” series is called, “Toast Yourself for Living Through the Past Year”. This whimsical art piece features Santa Claus with grapes dangling from his hat, a wine bottle and glass in hand, and a corkscrew tucked into his belt. Santa’s tip-Toast yourself for living through one of the worst economic years in memory. To see more in this series go to http://tinyurl.com/ydjde88.

Silly Rabbit, toys aren’t just for kids!

“Ask for Toys” is one in a series of clay sculptures entitled, “Santa’s 12 Tips for an Ideal Christmas”. This whimsical art piece features Santa strumming his brand new guitar as his new set of golf clubs await their first swing. Santa’s tip- don’t let the kids get all the toys; as for a few for yourself. To see more in this series go to http://tinyurl.com/ydjde88.

Pause Amid the Christmas Chaos

This is day ten of “Santa’s 12 Tips for Celebrating an Ideal Christmas.” These are a series of clay sculptures I created which have been made into Christmas cards. To see them, go to http://tinyurl.com/ydjde88.

 Today’s tip is “Enjoy Your Family”. This piece features Santa and Mrs. Claus arm in arm, exchanging holiday presents. Santa’s tip- pause amid the Christmas chaos and spend precious time with those you love.