We want to see art.

Quote of the Day:  Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Anis Nin

Outside the Minneapolis Institute of Art/Children's Theatre

 

Krista and I brought her twin girls to The Cat in the Hat on Saturday. They gave the show four thumbs up, shook hands with Thing Two, then said, "We want to see art." When we brought them to Pippi Longstocking, also at the Children's Theatre, it was Art in Bloom at MIA, which they remembered. So, off we ran to see "The mouse ran up the clock" clock!

 

 

We were reprimanded a couple times for running. "Please walk in the Minneapolis Institue of Art." I had flashbacks to reading, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg, where a brother and sister spend a whole week hiding out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Konigsburg won the Newbery Medal for her novel in 1967.

 

I liked this one from Swedish painter, Anders Zorn.

 

They zoomed from room to room looking for favorites from our previous visit and finding new art to admire. We both took a picture of the one above.

 

Mama let the girls take turns with her camera.

 

Let me look!

 

 

Art inspiring young artists!

 

Do you like that one?

 

It was a gorgeous fall day and we had some time to spare, so we took a walk across the stone bridge down by the Guthrie Theatre. We saw and heard many worlds happening all around us. We saw three wedding parties getting photographed. A young woman was getting a photography lesson from a man. This man set up his easel. I wish I had grabbed his card or asked his name. Maybe his painting will be at MIA some day?

 

 

Many people were using this setting for photo shoots.

 

 

 

We also witnessed a marriage proposal which didn't go as smoothly as the father (of the groom?) was trying to coordinate. We saw the group setting up. They were holding signs with letters and dots and a larger sign with _ARRIAGE on it. At first, I thought it might be a group making an add for the Vote No on the Minnesota Marriage amendment. It got me thinking as we crossed the bridge how you could have many different kinds of couples holding up the M: people of different ethnic backgrounds, men & women, men & men, women & women, to illustrate that love doesn't come in homogenous box.

 

That's not what was happening.

 

 

We were walking along, have a grand old time, admiring the brides and the dresses, the gorgeous fall colors, and eavesdropping on all the worlds on the bridge. We bought ice cream and snow cones from the vendor and headed back across the bridge. The dad of the _ARRIAGE proposal group jumped in front of us and yelled, "Stop!" With the sudden stop and yelling, the snow cone slipped out of the cone and plopped on the bridge. The dad looked at it and the sad girl and said, "Sorry. I'll buy you a new one. We're helping with a marriage proposal." The bridge traffic was backed up behind us. The dad was yelling at everyone to STOP! He had his binoculars in one hand, his camera in the other, and commanded each person in the proposal party to line up on the other side. The potential bride and groom were on the 9th floor of the Guthrie, looking down at the bridge.

 

We were feeling hot and bothered.

 

When we were finally allowed to walk through, the dad conveniently forgot his promise to buy the girl a new snow cone, gave her a weak appology that was filled with excuses and justification for his actions. He asked if she would forgive him, and she shook her head. We went home, leaving the colorful snow cone to melt on the bridge.

 

Good luck with that _ARRIAGE!

 

Three young ladies were watching the proposal from the other side of the group. I overheard one say, "Doesn't that make you want to get engaged just a little?" Her friend, who was leaning on the railing didn't miss a beat with her response, "No."

 

Go. Create. Inspire! (And, hold tight to your snow cones!)

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever had a snow cone dropping experience? How did you handle it? Does that _ARRIAGE proposal story make you want to get engaged?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rembrandt at the MIA

Quote of the Day:  Of course you will say that I ought to be practical and ought to try and paint the way they want me to paint. Well, I will tell you a secret. I have tried and I have tried very hard, but I can't do it. I just can't do it! And that is why I am just a little crazy. Rembrandt

Favorite Photo Friday: Standing in front of the masterworks and feeling inspired by the art and the story behind the images.

 

 

We almost missed our chance to see Rembrandt in America at the Minneapolis Institue of Arts. The exhibit is running from June 24 - September 16. Yes, it ends soon! Krista and I were in Minneapolis for the Pillsbury House production of The Brothers Size at the Guthrie Studio. We wanted to make good use of our time in the metro to see Rembrandt. When we got to the ticket window, I noticed reduced prices for children, students, and seniors. I looked at Krista and said, "Where's the single mom discount?" The ticket guy said that they didn't have any more non-member passes available until 7:00 pm. That wouldn't work for us. So, he offered us a membership. We went with a dual membership since it was a better deal, and we got a discount for living outside the metro, so it was really affordable. We felt great about supporting the arts in Minnesota and can now attend the special exhibits as part of our membership. Having a limit on non-member entries is a great way to get more people to become members.

 

We couldn't take pictures inside the exhibit. It was interesting to get the audio tour so we could hear the story behind the paintings. Some of the works that were once attributed to Rembrandt are no longer thought to be his, but those of his students. He taught his students to paint exactly like he did, so there are elements of his style in all of them. Still, the experts can tell his original voice from those who imitated him.

 

Krista's favorite portrait was of a little girl with blondish-red curls. She's described her as a real-life girl, her hair pinned up and brushed, and yet had fly-aways and a bit of a tossled look. Her eyes are captivating. She is featured on the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' page on the Rembrandt exhibit.

 

I liked the one called A Man Reading. It's featured in this review from the time when the exhibit was at the North Carolina Museum of Art. I also felt the emotional impact of the young woman holding a knife with a wound in her heart. The commentor explained that Rembrandt was in love with this woman, but was unable to marry her. They had children together, but she was scorned and publicly shamed for her relationship with him and had to call herself a whore in front of some kind of "morality committee" because she had a baby out of wedlock.

 

After our great day of art and theatre, not to mention another delicious meal at Spoonriver, Krista said that art and theatre and literature are more than just entertainment. They make you think. And, I'll add to that - The experience of seeing the masterworks up close and personal, of watching the actors bring a story to life, of reading the words and meeting the authors is something that becomes part of you. It lifts you up. It inspires and sets you free to...

 

Go. Create. Inspire! (in your own unique way)

 

Journaling Prompt:  Do you have a favorite painting or artform that inspires you?

 

 

 

The Plays the Thing

Quote of the Day:  Even if it doesn't work out, I will still act because I absolutely love it! Caleb Christiansen on his dreams of making a living as an actor. He is playing Eugene in our local production of Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon at the Central Lakes College here in Brainerd, MN. You can read my review of the show on my blogspot at The Brainerd Dispatch website.

Caleb as Eugene

Photo by Kelly Humphrey from The Brainerd Dispatch

What I love (and loathe) about community theatre is that the actors are in the show for the love of the art. They do it because they enjoy performing and bringing a story to life on stage. None of them ever get paid. In fact, they pay to be there with their time, transportation costs, grabbing some fast food on their way to rehearsals after working a full day at another job, or taking care of family. What they might lack in polish and pacing, they make up for in passion. These actors would rather spend their evenings in a dark theatre than out on a lake in our beautiful lakes country because they are filled up by this art form.

When I attend a local production, I am observing from many angles. I'm there as a reviewer, looking for the elements of the play that I want to highlight for potential audience. I'm listening for the lines that stand out from the show, the ones that are memorable and illustrate the themes. I'm also there as a playwright and director. Who up there is inspiring me to write? Who would make a good character in one of my plays? What do I want to write that would showcase their talents? Who looks like they'd be fun to work with? And, I'm there as an actor and audience member. I know I've connected with a play when I start to imagine myself in one (or more) of the roles. I am aware of my own emotional responses. What made me laugh? What made me cry? What gave me those feelings of dread, angst, worry, or love?

What gives me the most joy about attending live performances is seeing all the other people who came out for the show. They also left the comfort of their air-conditioned home, or the beauty of the lakes country to sit in a dark theatre and watch their neighbors bring a show to life. For $6.50 that's cheap entertainment, and sometimes the college offers $1.00 night. What does that even pay for? The cost of printing the program?  Maybe they could put out a tip jar for starving actors?

Now, the choice for my Favorite Photo Friday:

Mary and the Boys at Summer Camp

I had a great week at summer camp with my four sons. It's a church camp with a fine arts feel (for our week anyway) and a great place to spend time with family. We had grandpas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends (old & new). I'll write more about it next week.

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, support your local artists. Maybe even take one out to lunch. (Thanks, JeMA, for lunch yesterday.)

Journaling Prompt:  Why do artists give away their time and talents for free? How can we better support our local artists?

IWSG in July

Quote of the Day:  Long before I wrote stories. I listened for stories. ~ Eudora Welty

Gifted writers have gifted ears. ~ Curtis W. Casewil

Alex J. Cavanaugh, host of the Insecure Writer's Support Group, gave us permission to post our usual Insecure post on the first Wednesday of each month on a Tuesday this month, because we're celebrating Indpendence Day here in the U.S.A. on July 4. Since this is usually a time when family and friends gather, it seems like a good theme for this month's posting.

What inspires you? What do you do when you are feeling isolated, blocked, discouraged, or stuck in your art?

Gather a few friends around your kitchen table and talk about your hopes & dreams, your goals and ambitions.

The creative energy around my kitchen table last Friday night was inspiring. Here are three of my favorite people talking about what they love to do, what inspires them, and what they'd like to do with their gifts and talents.

On Sunday, my friend, the artist JeMA, and her family parked their RV in the park for Art in the Park Day. They have turned their plain ole RV into a public art project. They ask you to put on a dot and tell them three things that inspire you. You can participate remotely by going to their website, Inspire to Inspire.

Share your art and ideas with other people.

Hang out with other creative spirits.

Collaborate, support, and encourage one another.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What inspires you?  Go to JeMA's website and share it if you like.  Journal it; share it here; whisper it to a trusted friend.

Y is for Yellow

The Quote of the Day that inspired my A to Z Blogging Challenge theme -
A Word for the Day that takes on many meanings.

Quote of the Day: A writer lives in awe of words for they can be cruel or kind, and they can change their meanings right in front of you. They pick up flavors and odors like butter in a refrigerator. John Steinbeck


Word of the Day: Yellow

I saw this tiny branch lying on the ground and looked for a good background for it.

It makes me think of a divining rod.

Look! It found water.

Of course, yellow is a color, and as colors go, there are many shades of yellow. The flourescent yellow text color wouldn't show up well on this screen, so I went with mustard. If someone calls you "yellow," he's probably looking for a fight. I went to the Minneapolis Institute of Art yesterday for their Art in Bloom display, flower arrangements placed throughout the institute that compliment the artwork. It was amazing! I set out to find shades of yellow. Here's my pictoral journey.

The yellow train led the way.

I was seeing double all day.

Krista's twin daughters, four & half years old, came along to see the flowers and Pippi!

The girls like this face.

It's all flowers and greenery.

Note how the arrangements look like the artwork.

You can't resist the urge to touch.

Right, Mom?

Or, is it mum in this case?

The colors are so vibrant.

I thought this was brilliant.

Art immitating life, which is art.

Shades of yellow, and the red?

Is it heart?

Is it a brooch?

A countryside oasis of flowers.

I imagine tiny pixies living here.

This was my favorite pairing.

See the tiny clothesline in the flowers?

Here's a closer one of the flower arrangement.

I give this one first place.

Flowers or cake?

Looks good enough to eat.

What cultural display influenced this one?

The body is birch bark.

How'd they do that?

One more stunning yellow arrangement, placed in front of the window looking into the lobby of the Children's Theatre. I had to wait to photograph it because a group of women were standing around, talking about it. I surmised it was the artist and her friends. She said that when it wilts just a bit, it will look like the "yellow sponge" (as the little girls called it) hanging behind it.

The amazing Ninja blogger, Alex J. Cavanaugh, honored me today on his Y is for Youthfulness post. He thinks I'm youthful, and I'll gladly accept that title. Just yesterday, I pulled on my own longstockings and attended a performance of Pippi Longstocking at the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis. I'll have the review up soon.

Go. Create. Inspire!

And, embrace your inner child. He or she really wants to go out to play!!!

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever seen the Art in Bloom display, or something like it? What art pairings have you admired? I've also enjoyed a pairing of Beetles music with art. I could have spent days there.

Coffee Shop Confessions Debuts Tonight!

Quote of the Day:  Opening night is the night before the play is ready to open. - George Jean Nathan

Laughed out loud when I read that one. Don't all casts and crew feel that way? "We're still tweaking it," we cry. "I don't have all my lines down," we moan. "I think I could fix this word or phrase, just let me rewrite that part," says the angst-filled playwright.

But, the date is set. The tickets are sold OUT! Ready or not, they're coming to the Coco Moon tonight. I believe that no matter what, we'll be entertaining. Not perfect. I never intended perfection. This is a play about real people in real time. It's always changing. Even last night, our dress rehearsal, had moments of ad lib, commentary, and spontaneous laughter, and real tears. 

Here's a teaser: a popcorn stained bra, a bottle of pills, a cellphone to use and abuse, and a group of actors/singers meeting to rehearse at a coffee shop. Drinks laced with laughter, tears, real-life stories, love, and joy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What degree of artist angst do you have today? Mine's off the charts. Cheers!

Life imitating Art imitating Life

Quote of the Day:  Oscar Wilde is noted as saying, Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life...the self-conscious aim of Life is to find expression, and that Art offers it certain beautiful forms through which it may realise that energy. source: Wikipedia.  I would argue that one influences the other, and that when one creates Art from Life, the response is a mirror to mirror image, ones that endlessly reflect the other.  Let me illustrate.

On Saturday, late in the afternoon, several of the cast members gathered at Coco Moon to rehearse. We ended up singing through the songs, just as the characters in Coffee Shop Confessions do. We sang. We discussed. We fussed about parts, who's singing what. We added in real life chatter. We got worked up, and we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest. We created a scene during business hours at the shop, and one of the workers came over and said, "You guys sound great."  Joey just happened to have her camera along, so she took a few photos.

A tense moment. Who's in charge? What are we doing?

Laura needs a piano. David comes through with a one-octave app on his Kindle Fire.

Note the mirror in the background.

Guy needed to write three drafts of his bio.

Joey told one crazy story after the other and told me to write it.

Isn't it great how we're all different!

I came home and thought, what happened at our rehearsal could be another scene in the play...or is it already there?

At the end of the week, this Friday and Saturday, we will perform to a packed coffee house! Holy smokes! Look what happens when you hear voices, see visions, and dream dreams. They really do come true...with a little help from your friends.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How have Life and Art been mirroring each other in your world?

Happiness is...

Quote of the Day:  lyrics from the musical You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, the Happiness Song:

Happiness is finding a pencil

Pizza with sausage

telling the time

Happiness is learning to whistle

tying your shoe for the very first time

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band

And Happiness is walking hand in hand

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream

Knowing a secret

Climbing a tree

Happiness is five different crayons

Catching a firefly

Setting him free

Happiness is being alone every now and then

And, happiness is coming home again

Happiness is morning and evening

Daytime and nighttime too

For happiness is anyone and anything at all

that's loved by you

How was your Thanksgiving weekend? Mine left me singing this song. Here are a few things that I'd add to that list:

Happiness is dinner with family

Bobby and Zachary,

Charlie and Eric, too.

Happiness is Leo on my lap

A long winter's nap

A hot cup of brew!

Happiness is a brand new drum

A song to hum

Sharing them with you!

Happiness is being at home

Being an artist

Living the dream!

I started this blog post at 6:00 a.m.

Then, I had an idea for the photo.

I had to wait for the sun to rise.

Tried a few shots indoors.

Didn't turn out.

I had three takes outside.

This one is the winner.

The slightly pinkish glow is from the the sunrise.

Happiness is waiting for the sunrise,

pausing to enjoy it,

and capturing a great photo.

If I had shopped at all this weekend, it would have been on Small Business Saturday. All I got that day was a cup of coffee at a locally owned shop. Mint mocha....mmm. Love the owners there! I bought the drum, a djembe, from the downtown music store last week.  I need it for music at my church. Love chatting about music with Don at Bridge of Harmony! Then, I slipped over to Downtown Art & Frame where I bought paint and drooled over the fancy fibrous and textured paper. I used some of the paper I already had for my nieces' Christmas journal. Our family is passing journals around this fall, writing in them, or making an art page as in my case, then, the last person to have the journal wraps it up and gives it to the owner at Christmas. It's the best gift ever!

How's your shopping going?

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  What's on your 'Happiness' list?

Mural Ministry

Quote of the Day:  What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?  - Vincent Van Gogh

 A muslin canvas is stretched over a handmade frame, measuring about 5x7 feet. The artist, Paul Oman, sets the stage for us as we enter the chapel.  What will he paint?  What's the Bible story for tonight?  How can he finish a painting within an hour's service?

Throughout the week, we have been gazing at the fruits of his labors, marveling at the details of murals painted while Bible stories are read and the music plays.  What stories are represented in these paintings?

Paul said that he likes to ask the viewers what stories they see in the paintings.  The answers can be very creative, especially if you weren't in attendance when he painted these murals.  While I sat through services and listened to speakers this past week, I'd look at these murals and imagine myself inside the painting.  The one with the fire is called Mount Carmel, and I see the great power of the Holy Spirit, coming in wind and flame to give you inspiration, courage, creative hearts, and love.  The one at the sea makes me think of "Fishers of men (and women)."  I also see the journey.  The ships are beckoning me from my safe shore into unchartered waters.  Where will my ship sail?  When will my ship come in?

The creator and his art interacting.  What do you see taking shape?

Small children are just below my photo frame (I wish I had lowered my viewpoint), heads on hands, glued to the action, mesmerized by art unfolding before their eyes.

First, a hand, then a face appear, and strokes of light and movement.

Paul said he was nervous about this painting. He said he was trying something new that was challenging him as an artist.

Do you hear words being whispered?  Do you feel the emotions of this young woman?  What will happen next?

I wanted a close-up of her face. Paul intentionally lets paint drip, to form tears, movement, and streams of light.

Paul and his painting. 

I see the Holy Spirit with Mary, and Paul, filling them, inspiring them, and whispering...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Paul said that he began drawing around the age of 10.  He originally went to college to be a veterinarian.  He ended up being a science teacher, and said that he continued to use art to learn and to teach.  He felt called to the ministry and became a pastor.  He was in a small parish, attendance was low during Lent, so he took a risk with a vision that he'd had - to paint a mural during a worship service while the lessons were read and songs and hymns played and sung.  The first year, he had his usual 40 attendees.  The next year, 200 people showed up.  When he did it again, 400 people came to the service.  Soon, he was sharing it with other congregations and at Mount Carmel family camp where I first saw him paint, four years ago.  This May, he resigned from his safe and secure pastor job, and embraced his true calling, Mural Ministry.  He has bookings through next Easter.  To learn more about Paul Oman, his art, and his ministry, go to his website.  He wants this experience to be available to everyone, no matter the size of your congregation, or where you live.  They'll help you find creative ways to bring him in.

Journaling Prompt:  What do you see in Paul's Paintings?  Have you ever witnessed art evolving in front of your eyes?  If you took a leap of faith, where would you go? What would you be doing?