YOU inspire me

Albert Einstein said it best when he said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." I feel that way about inspiration... the good, the bad, the beautiful and ugly... can be inspiring - a call to action - even if that action is "to be." Of course, New York City as inspiration is a given- every where you turn. A beautiful spring day, just makes it easy!

I took the Double Happiness bus on friday from Wilmington, DE to NYC (an adventure in and of itself!) It was a beautiful sunny day full of friends, family (with a surprise visit to my brother), art and more art. I went to see the window I am doing an installation for in June, had lunch with Laurette and Jennifer, went to MOMA (William Kentridge and Marina Abramovic) and then meandered back to midtown and found this wonderful space filled with art. Habitats for Artists (HFA) has an exhibition up until tomorrow (!) at Chashama on West 44th St. They are a collective project that uses the idea of an artist's studio as a catalyst for mutual engagement between artists and communities. Laurette and I stopped by, chatted, drew on the walls and chatted with the founder- a very friendly guy named Simon from Wales. Fun, fun!

Here's a shot of one of the places I take my inspiration... my studio!

Elmer & Longwood, say what?

Last week I was up in Elmer, NJ- a rural community in Salem County, NJ. I was there to observe and evaluate a Visual Artist Residency at Elmer School. Brought my camera along to take some photos of Marilyn Keating the artist working with her students. Marilyn is a wonderful artist- sculptor, printmaker and teaching artist. The students love her and I could see why- talk about making art fun! I took a couple of shots on the way home of Elmer as well, including this one of Sam the proprietor of Barnwood Furniture and Co. (He retired from a career in prisons and now surrounded by art and cool stuff!)

Then on Friday I celebrated getting my cast off (yea!!) with a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA with my friend Joan and camera in tow. There is a saying in HI..."lucky you live HI"

(which is very true) but I feel lucky I live near Longwood, too!

V0TE ...words & images from abroad...

some totally insightful photo essays. beautiful images from Germany. I know Candice Novak - one of the participants from my Hawaii Days- he's a wonderful witty writer, so my vote is cast. All the images transport you to moments and places that may recognizable where ever you are but introduce us to a Germany we may not be familiar with. Check it out here.

Beyond My America 2009

Beyond My America finalists show what life is like while living abroad on a CDS International program! Entries came from people living in Argentina, Germany, Russia, and Spain; though all finalists spent their time in Germany.

Here'a a shot Beyond my America...along the theme of Candice's.(I took mine in Israel when I was there in May 200

Paintbox of Colors - Go Fly A Kite

A week in Florida ...

It Takes a Village...

On the heels on the successful completion of the two murals by the Germantown Art Club and the total redo our our Butterfly Kisses Book website, I am reminded once again how it truly takes a village of committed individuals and the support of something higher (call IT what you wish) to see something truly magical come together.

The mural was a collaborative effort put forth by so many people, Aileen McCullough and the Arts for Peace project of Young Audiences of Eastern PA (www.yaep.org) and a grant from PNC Bank and support from the Rentschler Foundation, along with local community support from Germantown hardware store Pik-A-Panel True Value and the store’s owner, Scott Shapiro, who assisted by donating some of the project supplies. Alisha Hagelin and her mural club students, as well asmany administrators and faculty of Germantown High School, Philly, PA. The murals look Great! The students feel empowered and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with threm.

Our new website is job well done thanks to the genius of Jason Faser of Lost Studios who is a totally cool, humble, easy to work with guy, and my cousin and business partner, Ellen McVicker, www.butterflykissesbook.com.