| THE ARTISAN ARTICLE a creative community 2006 |
| 03.24.06 This is exciting! I'm going to be meeting my favorite local author, Elizabeth Cunningham. She will be appearing at Heavenly Scents in Sugar Loaf Sunday, April 2. She is touring with her new book called The Passion of Mary Magdalen. Let me tell you how Elizabeth Cunningham's written works fell into my life. It had to be about eight years ago, and I was at my local library. Before I left the building, I glanced over at the row of books that were available to buy rather inexpensively. That is when I saw The Wild Mother with its shadowy cover and intriguing title. I felt something very strong at that moment and I left with it. Since then I have craved the energy Elizabeth Cunningham's writing conveys and how she can release and invigorate the buried and forgotten intuitive feelings; the "wildness" that is and always has been without shame. The unfortunate part of my story is how I loaned my copy of The Wild Mother to a "friend", I haven't seen the book since. I've got to track her down... The Passion of Mary Magdalen The Tour ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 03/06 I have really been missing out on some very important events going on in my hometown. The Arts Alliance had their 5th annual show in conjuction with V-Day and the production of The Vagina Monologues this past week. God! Did I hem and haw whether or not I was going to submit artwork for the show. I had everything ready to be sent except for the check, and I backed out last minute. Why? First off, I have to surrender to my reality. I am a mother and a wife on constant duty and demand, and I also balance that with my PT job at the pharmacy, which I like alot. When the hell do I make stuff and paint stuff and go places? Am I fooling myself with my endless endeavors? Do I have the talent worth pursuing? Am I on the right path chosen for me? It's a daily struggle and I am at a point where I'm getting tired. I don't want to continue in this way. I have my dreams and my continued hopes of building a unique line of signature home decor wares and art. I want to continue writing this publication, The Artisan Article, about other artists and crafters pursuing their dreams. I know I could never give this all up in a million lifetimes. This is me, this is who I am. It gets a little crazy, but I wouldn't change it at all. My family knows this, but they keep my feet safely planted at Home Base. I'm tired of playing it safe. The more safe I keep it, the harder it is for me to get out and reach out. Painting, and writing and listening and loving is all I have to offer, so it has to be the right course for me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 01/06 Everything that is around and surrounds us; all that is bad and all that is good plays upon us and can either hinder or enhance us as artists, as servants under the sun. I prefer to lend an ear to all that is healthy for my soul and its growth. We are continuously hit with a "news worthy" crisis each day and somehow it beckons our hearts to search for the counter balance that will deflect this negative assault. These sharp influences can strike us from a distant foreign place or from the familiar voices that fill our ears. Expressive artwork can absorb the waves of frustration that threaten our sanity. Creative writing can transform unwanted confusion into enlightened hope suitable for everyone. Our burdens can be alleviated through our creative endeavors. However, it must end with hope. |
| Karen Guarino is the writer and owner of this on-line/off-line publication. She owns and operates a small crafting business from her home and displays her work at various shops, local seasonal shows and at her website, Impressions by karen guarino. She currently resides in Cornwall, New York with her family. If you have any comments about this newsletter, you may contact her at kareng964@yahoo.com or HERE |
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| PONDERING AND PAUSE |