tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30183756333807128152024-02-19T11:22:24.052-06:00Ramona Dallum Lindsey, ArtistFind your voice with the limitless possibilities of art!Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-57902208606888820182012-07-06T10:39:00.001-05:002012-07-06T10:39:29.818-05:00We Too Are Chicago! Celebrating Chicago's Youth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9N2MwW-SRW8sK3CLIFiLNz3QAV8gVMW2HpRntEwCXkWaBcYy997g20Rv98BAAWz8yYF5N0KsESVF_FP0Ui40Wbj6N9jTgRtTrZelJcHJahc2ZOu0IF-dZTfES07y1mn4pYVW5Ttm_qc/s1600/we2FlierFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9N2MwW-SRW8sK3CLIFiLNz3QAV8gVMW2HpRntEwCXkWaBcYy997g20Rv98BAAWz8yYF5N0KsESVF_FP0Ui40Wbj6N9jTgRtTrZelJcHJahc2ZOu0IF-dZTfES07y1mn4pYVW5Ttm_qc/s320/we2FlierFront.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Daily local and national media cover the horrendous acts
of violence happening in Chicago, Illinois. Attention is drawn constantly to
the senseless murders in an effort to raise awareness of Chicago's problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unforturnately in media's sensationalism of
Chicago, all Chicago youth are cast in a very negative light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago is a city of contradictions. It is
the home of both peace and violence, opportunity and decay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presently, our dominant image is that of the
negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it is time for
artists to flip that script.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our work
should expose the greatness of people, especially our young.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">July 9th - August 3rd, 2012 at <a href="http://www.humanthread.net/" target="_blank">HumanThreads Gallery</a> (645
West 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616) the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We Too Are Chicago! Exhibit</i></b> intends
to shine a spotlight on the hopes, dreams, potential, and achievement of young
people often overlooked by mainstream media. Artists <a href="http://www.ramonadlindseyartist.com/" target="_blank">Ramona Dallum Lindsey </a>and
<a href="http://www.handworksbytrish.com/" target="_blank">Trish Williams</a> will offer their perspective on the issues surrounding our youth
through their unique textile art. The exhibit will feature a host of commentary
and abstract wall art inspired by poetry written by Mrs. Lindsey. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Mrs. Lindsey and Ms. Williams use textile art techiques based
in the African-American quilting tradition. Quilting is a historic textile art
with deep roots which brought together communities. As quilters worked together
they shared the stories of their community. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We Too Are Chicago</i></b> is a
unique visual art experience aiming to get our community talking about Chicago's
youth determined to achieve success regardless of their daily challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Members of the community were invited to
share photographs displaying the successes of young people in Chicago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A handful of these images will accompany the
textiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, a young emerging
artist from Kenwood Academy High School (Chicago,IL), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://exhalingphotography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gerald Brown</a>, will offer a glimpse into the
mind of this generation through 4 of her dynamic photographs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The show opens July 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm with an opening
reception in partnership with the <a href="http://www.rainbowpush.org/" target="_blank"><i><b>Rainbow PUSH Coalition</b></i>.</a> <a href="http://rainbowpush.org/pages/jackson_bio" target="_blank"><i><b>Rev. Jesse L.Jackson, Sr</b></i></a>., the famed civil rights leader, activitist, and minister will
offer remarks touching on the </span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">present and future roles of
music, hip-hop, art, and youth for social change</span></strong><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">. </span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event </span><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">serves as a Pre-Conference Reception for
their 41st Annual "Rainbow PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education
Fund" Conference, July 11 - 14, at Chicago Hilton & Towers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">For further information, please visit:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span class="textexposedshow"><a href="http://rainbowpush.org/pages/41st_annual_conference_registration" target="_blank">The Rainbow Push Coalition 41st Annual Conference</a> </span><br />
<a href="http://rainbowpush.org/pages/41st_annual_conference_registration" target="_blank"><span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></span></a></span></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Artist's Reception will be held July 13, 2012 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm during the
<a href="http://chicagoartsdistrict.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Art Distict's 2nd Fridays Gallery Night</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We hope you will join us for this powerful celebration of Chicago's
Youth.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We Too Are Chicago!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">By Ramona Dallum Lindsey</span></b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Your Gold Coast is not
our stomping ground</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Oprah rarely visits our
'hood.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We're called Kendra,
David, Hector, and Maria</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We share the block with
Phat Daddy and Lil' Mama</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We're regulars on the
Green, Red, and Pink Line,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our train stops at
neighborhoods like</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Englewood, Auburn-Gresham,
Pilsen, and Little Village</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We too are Chicago</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We stare from bedroom windows at boarded up homes </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And wonder about Travis, forced from the 'hood,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Because his people couldn't pay </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We pass the teddy bear shrine dashing to catch the train</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And wonder during our 60 minute ride to the better school </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Who will be the next to die.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We gaze out the train window at <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>homeys on the corner</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And wonder how long Drop-outs will stand </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Because no one cared enough to give them a chance.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We too are Chicago</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our parents work hard to give us the basics</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It's<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>no to the fancy dance
lessons, art camps, & theater shows</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Most of us leave school with nothing to do</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We head home to empty houses </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Where we lock ourselves in</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">But some of us take the dangerous detour </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Straight to the pushers, bangers, and hustlers</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We too are Chicago</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We are more than you see</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see hopeless,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We see dreams!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see lazy,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We see potential!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see waste,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We see opportunity!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">You see depressed,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We see achievers! </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We too are Chicago</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Copyright 2011</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-22993259796495944152012-06-29T07:26:00.001-05:002012-06-29T07:26:22.456-05:00Lessons from Fountain Square Art Festival (Part 2)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLBkeI10eoJj3iOnuU6oCmqzmPlBdVZgP9ssQJVp26lo9-ThZsfwwaDSy5bTWBgfJr-CNiM3igou8sfxPOdI2omca9mf2KaM744odnaPe0J4RP9myTBrX1c-dXKwyOJ53upghPMtqXdc/s1600/Why.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLBkeI10eoJj3iOnuU6oCmqzmPlBdVZgP9ssQJVp26lo9-ThZsfwwaDSy5bTWBgfJr-CNiM3igou8sfxPOdI2omca9mf2KaM744odnaPe0J4RP9myTBrX1c-dXKwyOJ53upghPMtqXdc/s320/Why.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why? (2012) - Ramona Lindsey (12" x 24")</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fountain Square Art Festival (FSAF) marks my first experience in the
festival circuit. FSAF taught me 3 key lessons - fortitude,
camaraderie, and purpose.<br />
<br />
Fortitude is the courage to continue in
the face of uncertanity. There is a great deal of uncertainty associated
with participation in juried shows. Generally the selection process
begins by submitting 3 - 4 photographs of your best art along with a
non-refundable application fee. It is difficult choosing photos that
will impress an unknown jury while representing my best art.
Furthermore, my photos must convince festival promoters that my work has
mass appeal.<br />
<br />
The same photos I used for the FSAF were used for
the 57th Street Art Fair (Chicago, IL) and Baltimore Artscape
(Baltimore, MD). Fountain Square said yes while the latter two
responded no. One size doesn't fit all, so what may work for one show
might not be right for another. Perseverance and understanding is the
key. You must not let the no's stop you from trying, but understanding
your audience will give you a better shot at a yes.<br />
<br />
Before leaving
for the FSAF I spent hours creating new works with various price
points. My items ranged in price from $30-$1,800. I created enough
inventory so selling a third would net me $3,333. My sales team -
husband and 2 children - are invested in the plan, because they receive
compensation from my business once these goals are accomplished. By
the end of day one of the two day event, I had made no sales and
obtained 26 new contacts. I knew day two would be better, but I was
wrong. At the close of FSAF, my sales totaled $0 and my contacts were
30. I took a risk that didn't pay-off in dollars, but intangible
rewards. My bank account was broke, but my spirit soared. Why? Because
God gave me the fortitude, family, and friends to see the blessings in
the experience. He used the power of camaraderie to push me through
challenges to realize His opportunity.<br />
<br />
Where does camaraderie come
from on the festival circuit? It comes from the participating
artists. My two day experience brought me new friendships and
connections. I heard the mantra of veteran circuit artists including
glass artists,<a data-mce-href="http://www.warmglasstransitions.com/" href="http://www.warmglasstransitions.com/" target="_blank">Irene Sherman</a> and <a data-mce-href="http://www.cj3.us/main.html" href="http://www.cj3.us/main.html" target="_blank">Cari Johnson</a>,
"Don't be discouraged." Many told me to continue attending shows until
I find my market. Several also advised that FSAF was not the right
venue for high end fine art. Every festival has a personality and a
following. I learned I must do my research to discover each show's
personality before applying. Painter, <a data-mce-href="http://whitakerartgallery.com/home" href="http://whitakerartgallery.com/home" target="_blank">Chris Whitaker</a>, gave me a copy of <i>Sunshine Artist Magazine</i> as a source to begin my research.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://micheldelgado.com/" href="http://micheldelgado.com/" target="_blank">Michel Delgado</a>,
an artist from the Florida Keys and winner of Best in Show - 2D Media,
taught me an important lesson. He said the main purpose of
participating in the festival circuit is to get more eyes on my high end
fine art. According to Michel, most fine art collectors don't buy from
open air markets, but high quality fine art with a message will
eventually attract galleries and collectors. The key is to expose the
work to the market. The festival circuit is one way to introduce the
work and your story to a living audience.<br />
<br />
<a data-mce-href="http://www.williamkfineart.com/" href="http://www.williamkfineart.com/" target="_blank">William Kwamena-Poh</a>,
a painter out of Savannah, Georgia and winner of Best in Show -
Painting, encouraged me to rethink my price points and presentation of
my entry level work. In my effort to offer festival goers with meager
budgets my mixed media fine art, I presented mixed media textile art on a
blank greeting card. William suggested that the work was too high
quality to present in such a way. In addition, the art's presentation
didn't agree with the collector's perceived use of it. He offered that
fine artists must not run the risk of devaluing a complete and quality
work of art in order to generate sales.<br />
<br />
Finally FSAF reinforced my
purpose for creating fine art. My mission is to inspire, represent,
and nourish the human spirit with art. FSAF allowed me to interact with
real people drawn to my creations. I shared my story with over one
hundred people. Many of them expressed appreciation for what I was
doing, but several showed genuine emotion. One woman, a casual artist,
told me my art gave her the inspiration to step outside her box. That
it wasn't necessary for her to create in the same way as other artists,
but to be her unique self. A counselor from a battered women's shelter
commented that my work had a powerful story to encourage her clients
through their dark times. Finally, a single mom shed tears after hearing
my story of releasing the past to embrace my future as an artist.<br />
<br />
Creating
art for me is more than earning dollars. It's about elevating spirits
and fulfilling my divine purpose. God asks, if he takes care of the
birds, why would He do any less for me? I must continue on the path He
has placed before me assured in the promise that He will help me
victoriously through it.Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-88813045073825965462012-06-28T08:02:00.001-05:002012-06-28T08:02:16.780-05:00Lessons from Fountain Square Art Festival (Part 1)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uwFxcL8iz11TPCqK5sLPSd9w3qNqLApY5FsIt4eC0SFselisRMYQvZkcTnaqI6s7dfil3WWdY6OBh-PxaA_X-wcy_Z9QS6Oi7MYfSnxqyAVHDeLetzapaA8Z7ECr1y9Fmfjl4FRBONw/s1600/RDLindseyLeapCourageSMALL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uwFxcL8iz11TPCqK5sLPSd9w3qNqLApY5FsIt4eC0SFselisRMYQvZkcTnaqI6s7dfil3WWdY6OBh-PxaA_X-wcy_Z9QS6Oi7MYfSnxqyAVHDeLetzapaA8Z7ECr1y9Fmfjl4FRBONw/s1600/RDLindseyLeapCourageSMALL.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leap of Courage (2012) - Mixed Media Textile 50'x33"x2"</td></tr>
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Every artist, visual or performing, who seeks to earn a
living looks for ways to share their work with the buying public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The festival show circuit is a viable option
for many visual artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped into
this arena for the very first time with my participation in the Fountain Square
Art Festival (FSAF) in Evanston, Illinois.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For those of you not familiar with the festival circuit, in a nut shell
it is all the spring, summer, fall, and winter opportunities were vendors
display their wares for purchase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
husband likened the experience to the medieval merchants traveling the
countryside in horse and wagon selling their goodies from the roadside.</div>
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<br /></div>
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money through artist application fees, vendor booth rentals, corporate
sponsorships, and entry fees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Artists
are paid through their booth sales and ,in some cases, cash awards for
outstanding fine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>art or
craftsmanship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participation in the
festival show circuit comes with both benefits and risks, but many artist see
it as a way to expand their opportunities beyond gallery representation. </div>
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As an emerging artist, I choose to enter the festival circuit
as a way to self-promote my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I view
my art as a business venture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
festival circuit gives me a platform to begin branding my work and introducing
it to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have total control
over the presentation and marketing of my art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I decide where my art is viewed and how it is seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many galleries are reluctant to represent an
artist with limited exposure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
absorbing some risks in order to gain exposure in anticipation of future sales
and gallery representation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are my
risks? The most costly risk is infrastructure investment to promote my
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then comes festival circuit expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally unpredictable consumers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My goal for 2012 is to participate in at least 3 juried fine
art shows, with one of these being outside of Illinois, my home state. I only apply to juried
shows with projected attendance of over 20,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shows of this size give me a broader audience resulting in increased
opportunities for sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sales are
not my only goal, I wish to add 120 potential clients to my mailing list during
each event. </div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">FSAF was my first opportunity to test my
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part 2 of this post will describe
my results.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-26252077079222887342012-06-04T07:33:00.000-05:002012-06-04T07:33:44.688-05:00Art is God Answering<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXYNc5lUsATK_f8BcHqC6znhvP08_bHHZrZwiaodf6OsvinGXmmBt1-7r4S2gS1diWUbp_nTK9ixGN8zx8dTEhJ4lfqD78JLXQP4qH0tIDkeg1JBNwNniAX49DOGQDxQVVe-Zz1K2_Lw/s1600/WoodrowNash_Ramona57thStArtFair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXYNc5lUsATK_f8BcHqC6znhvP08_bHHZrZwiaodf6OsvinGXmmBt1-7r4S2gS1diWUbp_nTK9ixGN8zx8dTEhJ4lfqD78JLXQP4qH0tIDkeg1JBNwNniAX49DOGQDxQVVe-Zz1K2_Lw/s320/WoodrowNash_Ramona57thStArtFair.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
My church offers a separate worship service for our children
and young people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I attended as
a guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children's minister, Rev.
E. C. Cunningham, spoke to the children about God's ability to answer
questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shared with the kids that
all they needed to do was ask and God would answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometime the answer is immediate but some
answers require waiting. At times my journey as an emerging artist is daunting,
and that's when I wonder how other artists made it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://higginshartegalleries.com/artists/nash.html" target="_blank">Woodrow Nash</a> is one of my favorite sculptors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, my mother-in-law gave us an early
Woodrow Nash piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week while
reflecting on my journey as an artist I was admiring Mr. Nash's piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought, "When he made that piece he
was like me - unknown and trying to make it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked God to show me how Mr. Nash was able
to persist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayer was that God show
me how I could learn Woodrow Nash's story. Yesterday, around 4:45 pm God
answered my prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
June 3rd was the last day of the <a href="http://www.57thstreetartfair.org/" target="_blank">57th Street Art Fair</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <a href="http://communityartfair.org/" target="_blank">Hyde Park Community Art Fair</a> in Chicago's
Hyde Park Neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had promised
<a href="http://www.pearlietaylorgallery.com/" target="_blank">Pearlie Taylor</a>, one of my mother's in art, that I would visit her at the fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a Saturday packed full with meetings
and a busy Sunday at church, my daughter and I reluctantly left the house at
3:00 pm to visit Pearlie before the art fair ended at 5:00 pm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hung out with Pearlie until around 4:30 and
decided to stroll around the fair booths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To my surprise, we discovered Woodrow Nash just 15 minutes before all
artists began to close shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
his first year participating in the art fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
While admiring his work and waiting to meet him, I shared
the story of how my mother-in-law recently gifted us with a Woodrow Nash bust
that she purchased in the early 1990's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbeknownst
to me, one of the ladies in the group was his wife, Wanda Nash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She began to tell me about that time in his
career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shared with me his journey
from a painter, to graphic designer, to acclaimed sculptor. She talked about
their struggles and successes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most
importantly she told me that her husband's talent, just like mine, was a gift
from God that God is requiring us to share with the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She encouraged me to remain faithful and
focused on achieving what God has put in me to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Who knew that God would answer my question so
quickly while giving me exactly what I needed to continue the journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I had to do was ask!</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-42838410437130126482012-02-28T10:05:00.001-06:002012-02-28T10:13:44.621-06:00Sisters' Road<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7DEjmV7fAd_SDHi0jgsaKJ7DoByarjyRA1sDH6GOtNHh8xHEkfN3M0hHS4V5bvUtviIr5mKSLPhEK_xSqxcIE8db4POjEv1CHU7WLSoHpDagdI-VfGqFyHsI_19UP5mudC8ZTgpxrCA/s1600/tri-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7DEjmV7fAd_SDHi0jgsaKJ7DoByarjyRA1sDH6GOtNHh8xHEkfN3M0hHS4V5bvUtviIr5mKSLPhEK_xSqxcIE8db4POjEv1CHU7WLSoHpDagdI-VfGqFyHsI_19UP5mudC8ZTgpxrCA/s400/tri-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters' Road (2012) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Life is a journey that should not be traveled alone. It is
riddled with peaks and valleys that are best navigated with experience,
knowledge, and wisdom. When two or more
walk together, the impact of experience, knowledge and wisdom improves. Men journey differently through life than
women. Women depend on a strong,
enduring sisterhood to navigate our journey.
We depend on like minded women committed to purposes greater than the
individual. As each woman connects to the sisterhood, she finds the strength to
identify and fulfill her purpose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Sisters' Road</i></b> is a triptych consisting of three related panels
- <b><i>Founders'
Road</i></b>, <b><i>Builders' Road</i></b>, and <b><i>Legacies' Road</i></b>. Together these panels tell the story of an
enduring sisterhood. <br />
Each form symbolizes mind, body, and spirit connected by faith, hope, and
love. They stand proudly on a crimson
road showcasing their courage and strength to be undeterred against challenges
in life's journey. When the three panels are placed side by side one can see in
the distance the courage of the founders shoulder to shoulder staking the
foundation for a lasting sisterhood.
The chain continues as sisters work together to build upon the founders'
goals and missions. Lastly, the legacy of the sisterhood is dependent on the
efforts of current and future members to radiate into the world. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Women often find themselves belonging to a
number of sisterhoods. Some were born
into a sisterhood through the union of their parents. Faith made others members
of spiritual sisterhoods. Common
interests encouraged some women to create social sisterhoods. Some sisterhoods encompass
many areas of women's lives. <a href="http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/" target="_blank">Delta SigmaTheta Sorority, Inc.</a> is such a sisterhood.
It was found January 13, 1913 as a sisterhood of black college educated
women committed to public service. Many
of the sorority's defining principles are rooted in Christian principles. I became a member of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. in 1991. <b><i>Sisters'
Road</i></b> is my tribute to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the many
sisterhoods embodied by its members. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sisters' Road will be featured at <a href="http://chicagodeltas.com/2012/02/art-intensified-and-art-demystified/" target="_blank">Gallery D'Estee</a> March 2nd & 3rd at the Parkway Ballroom. The triptych will be available for purchase. </span></span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-30945877463515042102012-02-27T08:21:00.000-06:002012-02-27T08:21:05.833-06:00Abundance (2012)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywsxzIUo4VOWPr2lCtQRglT-bkgWk7cETHEqYdIYV_GT44KiaNBQHfDcA-M32o0_OZcYBWSk52e_cV7_oFXyW8tdKskvy2iGBiW7zTAHc_HMPwX7pVjfpyDUI35RrT901BMppMc8oI5Q/s1600/RDLindsey_Abundance2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywsxzIUo4VOWPr2lCtQRglT-bkgWk7cETHEqYdIYV_GT44KiaNBQHfDcA-M32o0_OZcYBWSk52e_cV7_oFXyW8tdKskvy2iGBiW7zTAHc_HMPwX7pVjfpyDUI35RrT901BMppMc8oI5Q/s320/RDLindsey_Abundance2012.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abundance (2012) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey, Artist</td></tr>
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A down turned economy is like a drought in a once fertile
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Take for instance a
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cool drink. The sunlight which warms the stream also provides energy for the
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questionable in the most challenging conditions. Others look inward and upward
for proper positioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They depend on
spirituality, faith, and belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Abundance</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> is the fourth tree in the Trees of Life Series. It reminds each of us to position ourselves before the tough times so we
can thrive in both times of plenty and famine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It shows us how to be like the biblical person in Jeremiah 17:7-8 who's
faith is like a tree planted by a riverbank who is not bothered or worried by
months of drought, but continues to produce lush, healthy fruit. Abundance is the first tree in the series to incorporate wrapped wool fibers and hand crotchet techniques. It is the smallest of the four trees in the series, but showcases the most intricate details.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Abundance can be seen and purchased at Gallery D'estee on March 2nd and 3rd at the Parkway Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois. Visit <a href="http://chicagodeltas.com/2012/02/art-intensified-and-art-demystified/" target="_blank">Gallery D'estee 2012: Art InTENsified</a> for more information. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </span>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-17519828086644387912012-02-24T06:40:00.001-06:002012-02-24T06:40:55.580-06:00Sudanese Shelter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMTVK39rii1oNwrQJJU2dsbwXefZAJ8v-xc4rO12NVf-lt8psZFRLZILcOeU-DRNaUwZNCjEPXRbhe3ewLuJ3VlxlM0yZNpMlllaJ_PcFYw17B2vgMqsyzFKd_EmdCF3wNaJPEit9C3s/s1600/SudaneseShelter3Boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMTVK39rii1oNwrQJJU2dsbwXefZAJ8v-xc4rO12NVf-lt8psZFRLZILcOeU-DRNaUwZNCjEPXRbhe3ewLuJ3VlxlM0yZNpMlllaJ_PcFYw17B2vgMqsyzFKd_EmdCF3wNaJPEit9C3s/s320/SudaneseShelter3Boys.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sudanese Shelter (2011) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey, Artist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Nature's
creatures depend on trees for nourishment and shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birds nest in their lush leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Insects hide in the crevices of its
bark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snakes slither around outstretched
branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the late 1980's unexpected
creatures climbed the trunks of strong trees seeking the protective crooks of
their branches.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Southern
Sudan was home to a deadly civil war in the 1980's.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thousands of young boys fled as their
villages and families were destroyed by government sponsored militia
raids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These young children became
homeless orphans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
internationally known as the <a href="http://www.lostboyschicago.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Lost Boys of Sudan</a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">While
living in Auburn, Alabama I met one of these young men. He was a member of
Auburn University's track team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
his coach's wife, I learned how he, his brother, and other boys sought refuge
from government militia patrols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
hid in the branches of trees during the day and walked under the cover of
darkness until they reached Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These young boys walked thousands of miles
over a period of months to reach safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Auburn athlete and his brother eventually resettled in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were among approximately 3800 Lost Boys
who started new lives in the United States.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i><b>Sudanese
Shelter</b></i>, the third tree in the Trees of Life Series, is my tribute to the resiliency and perseverance of the human
spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also a reminder of the
unnatural impact of hate. It will be on display and available at Gallery D'estee: Art Intensified March 2nd and 3rd, 2012. More information about Gallery D'estee is available at <a href="http://chicagodeltas.com/2012/02/art-intensified-and-art-demystified/">http://chicagodeltas.com/2012/02/art-intensified-and-art-demystified/</a>.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-74987584378152882132012-02-21T08:31:00.000-06:002012-02-21T08:32:27.974-06:00The White Tree: Remembering Jena<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6c94YJfE57QqEraVb-ztrRrH0zXF3syFmITcL7waVpkBxHCjNto4Sn20L0zBYFqiFI4p7J9Eh85uda3Zi2nD_wCcv_CUE9NolRTkiPvwXf3i0Kj-kPrUQkgde7WanUuZ4N_bc_pTihg/s1600/whiteTreeRgtProfile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6c94YJfE57QqEraVb-ztrRrH0zXF3syFmITcL7waVpkBxHCjNto4Sn20L0zBYFqiFI4p7J9Eh85uda3Zi2nD_wCcv_CUE9NolRTkiPvwXf3i0Kj-kPrUQkgde7WanUuZ4N_bc_pTihg/s320/whiteTreeRgtProfile.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Tree (2011), Ramona Dallum Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Racism and hate are an established part of the United States
of America’s history.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> America’s southern </span><span style="font-size: small;"> states’ were built on an agrarian
economy based on slave labor.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> This economy
thrived due to the establishment of a class system based on race. This system
led to legalized inequality favoring the white privileged class and
suppressing</span><span style="font-size: small;"> the black class.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Political, military and social battles have
ensued throughout </span><span style="font-size: small;"> America’s history to
right this imbalance.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The Civil Rights
Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s took great steps towards providing racial
equality.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> However, America still has
issues of racial inequality to address.</span><span style="font-size: small;">
This became evident in Jena, Louisiana during the fall of 2006.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> A series of incidents in that small Louisiana
town brought to light America’s continued need to address her problem of hate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are various interpretations of the events that led to
what became known as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jena_Six" target="_blank">Jena 6</a>.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> However
all accounts began with a tree growing on the campus of Jena’s desegregated
high school with a very small percentage of black students.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The tree was known as the “White Tree”.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Only white students were allowed to sit
beneath its shade.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> At the beginning of the school year a small
group of black freshman students attempted to</span><span style="font-size: small;">
sit under the tree.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The following
day nooses hung </span><span style="font-size: small;"> from the tree.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Historically nooses where used as a form of
intimidation to prevent</span><span style="font-size: small;"> blacks from
challenging the written and unwritten laws maintaining Jim Crow laws separating
the races.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The principal of Jena High School
expelled the white students responsible for hanging the nooses.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> However, Jena’s school superintendent reinstated
the students</span><span style="font-size: small;"> saying that the white
students were only participating in a youthful prank not warranting expulsion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The black community was in an uproar over their perceived
mishandling of the situation.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The small
town was soon divided across racial lines.</span><span style="font-size: small;">
Several altercations occurred between white and black students.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> In many of these, the local justice system
released with warnings white students accused of inciting altercations while
black students faced harsher punishments.</span><span style="font-size: small;">
The trouble in Jena reached a climax when 5 black students beat a white
student on the school campus.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> There were
discrepancies regarding the reason for the attack.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Nonetheless, the majority of the black
students were charged with attempted murder and jailed.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> This was in stark contrast to white students
who were released after beating a black student in an earlier separate,
unrelated </span><span style="font-size: small;"> altercation.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> This unequal justice led to the largest civil
rights march since the 1960s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>The White Tree</b></i> stands as a stark reminder to the
consequences when hate is not confronted.
Trees naturally provide shelter to all creatures. The tree in Jena was used unnaturally to
separate. Our nation’s youth depend on
adults to create systems that protect all of them regardless of class, race, or
gender. When those systems do not work
everyone is negatively impacted. <i><b>The White
Tree</b></i> forces us to remember the young lives damaged because of adults’ inability
to correct the issues of racism. Justin Barker (17), Robert Bailey (17), Mychal
Bell (16), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Jesse Ray Beard (14), and
Theo Shaw (17) stand as reminders for adults to face and deal with the reality
of racism.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-77769876543034751742012-02-17T09:52:00.002-06:002012-02-17T09:53:02.310-06:00The Wisdom Tree<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCoLNNUtxC-F_IUbkFrLQcIxZRFWANDRWZcpdGORr8hCakeEdOQP04zNoppwin1Chssab4AsyJEUDGjdRFyaHHA4Gtsiq0iELGnXPlQuyX9-cbNENODWjAzj36m-BNY9MLvPwF-kEMKw/s1600/RDLindsey_WisdomTree2011_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCoLNNUtxC-F_IUbkFrLQcIxZRFWANDRWZcpdGORr8hCakeEdOQP04zNoppwin1Chssab4AsyJEUDGjdRFyaHHA4Gtsiq0iELGnXPlQuyX9-cbNENODWjAzj36m-BNY9MLvPwF-kEMKw/s320/RDLindsey_WisdomTree2011_Front.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Wisdom Tree (2011) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey, Artist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <i><b>Wisdom Tree </b></i>is the first in the Trees of Life Series. It was created with the assistance of <a href="http://crumpfiberart.com/" target="_blank">Carolyn Crump</a>, a noted textile artist living in Houston, Texas who is well versed in 3D textile sculpture. She helped me bring my creative vision to life by showing me the basics of 3D construction. She also introduced me to methods of incorporating acrylic paints and water color pencils into my work. These elements showing up consistently in my work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The <i><b>Wisdom Tree</b></i> is a metaphor for life. It is a visual representation of the various
stages in the life of an individual. The journey starts at the tree's
base. At some point in life each person
feels insignificant. She is a small
creature in a large world struggling to find her way. She spends her time
climbing over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The caterpillars on the rocks symbolize this
stage in life's journey.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As a person grows, she realizes knowledge is key for
success. Once knowledge is found, a
person must feed from knowledge and apply it.
Applied knowledge becomes wisdom.
The wrinkles and frown lines in an older person's face are a badge of
honor testifying to the experiences shaping wisdom. The tree represents wisdom. Her face is a badge of honor. Her roots are
firmly rooted in a strong foundation.
She doesn't horde her wisdom, but freely shares it with anyone needing
to feed from it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The ultimate goal of life's journey is the discovery of
purpose. Feeding from wisdom gives someone the energy to transform from
insignificance to importance. The butterflies represent this
transformation. Once the transformation
is complete the butterflies must fly to share their beauty with the world. Each
person must follow the butterflies example.
Sharing your individual purpose with the world signifies the completion
of an important stage in life's journey.</div>
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The <i><b>Wisdom Tree</b></i> has been shown at several Chicagoland venues. These included <a href="http://www.fineartoffiber.org/" target="_blank">Fine Art of Fiber </a>(Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL), A.R.I.S.E Small Business Expo (House <a href="http://www.houseofhope-chicago.org/" target="_blank">http://www.houseofhope-chicago.org/</a>of Hope, Chicago, IL), and The Peace Concert Series (<a href="http://www.sgi-usa-chicago.org/" target="_blank">Soka Gakkai International Cultural Center, Chicago, IL</a>). It will also be on display and available for purchase at the <a href="http://gallerydestee.eventbrite.com/?ref=esfb" target="_blank">Gallery D'estee</a> sponsored by the <a href="http://chicagodeltas.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc</a> and State Farm. The show is scheduled for March 2nd (6pm - 8pm) and March 3rd (2pm - 8pm) at the Parkway Ballroom (4455 S. King Dr., Chicago, IL). Gallery D'estee admission is free. </div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-84779322533522283012012-01-17T10:09:00.004-06:002012-01-17T10:09:58.545-06:00New Year - New Series!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHKi2IIBiuH10dhYlQvfSFy6dzbojhEE0QHbX0zeyiPeg0lrwL-bAebQuRY9arRohcW7RsgjbaRoN8wLe6n9QM0D1opLl4WrRBC7zxsH7dLvBAKscz1HStPiZh7PDOGwTwVRRvBkLaBs/s1600/Chicago-Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHKi2IIBiuH10dhYlQvfSFy6dzbojhEE0QHbX0zeyiPeg0lrwL-bAebQuRY9arRohcW7RsgjbaRoN8wLe6n9QM0D1opLl4WrRBC7zxsH7dLvBAKscz1HStPiZh7PDOGwTwVRRvBkLaBs/s320/Chicago-Skyline.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago, Illinois</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sprawling cement jungles girded with steel beams and
bejeweled with shimmering glass pay homage to man’s industrial spirit.<span> </span>They reflect his desire to create, control,
and reinvent his surroundings. <span> </span>Since
biblical days people have constructed massive feats of architecture to
demonstrate their power and prowess.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdvInD6CQXk4op-kcLQtr6c3TZSK1pFs1RJAcfC39kRApAT4OUVZXR-nD7DnaaA2pn2k90-oN2Kxy2-nm-6eiItF7HmX9WgCWtRnD9T5JjIu-jVKPDXekn8pozUE3_GbKPjXJMjmThwY/s1600/Nehantic_State_Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdvInD6CQXk4op-kcLQtr6c3TZSK1pFs1RJAcfC39kRApAT4OUVZXR-nD7DnaaA2pn2k90-oN2Kxy2-nm-6eiItF7HmX9WgCWtRnD9T5JjIu-jVKPDXekn8pozUE3_GbKPjXJMjmThwY/s320/Nehantic_State_Forest.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nehantic State Park - Niantic, Connecticut</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Nature’s demonstration of her majesty stands in stark
contrast to man’s cement jungles.<span>
</span>Remember your last woodland hike or stroll through a lush city
park.<span> </span>You undoubtedly encountered trees
along your path.<span> </span>Some were tall, lean,
and supple while others were swayed, knotty, and worn. <span> </span>But nearly all of them stood with their arms
stretched towards<span> </span>heaven.<span> </span>In seasons of rebirth these limbs were draped
with emerald foliage. <span> </span>In seasons of
harvest they were clothed with brilliant, glowing colors revealed only as they struggled
to maintain their relationship with the sun.<span>
</span>In seasons of desolation their naked limbs harbored beneath their surface
sprouts of hope. <span> </span><span> </span>No matter the season, these trees pay homage
to their energy source with their uplifted arms.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span></span>The journey of man
and nature are interconnected.<span> </span>Ancient
people respected this relationship by learning from nature how to thrive simply
on the energy provided by the Creator.<span>
</span>Trees were a recurring symbol in ancient religions for creation and
death.<span> </span>They signified both joy and pain.<span> </span>They inspired royalty and commoners.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Trees of Life Series</i> employs this ancient symbol
to tell the story of human celebration, growth, struggle, and pain. <span> </span>Its trees <span> </span>are a metaphor for life’s many journeys.<span> </span>Just as the trees in a forest have a story to
tell, so do the creations in the <i>Trees of Life Series</i>.<span> </span>Their stories begin in the hands of the
artist, but unfold in the mind of the observer.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">As we embark on a new year, I am striving to
push my art to explore textiles in ways I have never experienced.<span> </span>The <i>Trees
of Life Series</i> allows me to experiment with the sculptural qualities of
textiles.<span> </span>Please share with me your
insights as I introduce each piece in the series.</span></span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-38290707211242955292011-12-21T12:06:00.000-06:002011-12-21T12:06:10.298-06:00Storms<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyENSPwx7PFRfgkyuL3LhISmX_HWO-JGHUsOriTT8-0BhQAtUxc3LowQ9qsz82OE3l9IRmafAYdcrrqykJbDFWkwfp7-bh7mIHGdsLQS5iAsqPZaAFd_8QcMn-5BuxhdnxIAEY0tt9aHM/s1600/Storms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyENSPwx7PFRfgkyuL3LhISmX_HWO-JGHUsOriTT8-0BhQAtUxc3LowQ9qsz82OE3l9IRmafAYdcrrqykJbDFWkwfp7-bh7mIHGdsLQS5iAsqPZaAFd_8QcMn-5BuxhdnxIAEY0tt9aHM/s400/Storms.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Storms</b> (2011), 24" x 19.5" - Ramona Dallum Lindsey, artist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Storms are a reality of life.<span> </span>Often they sneak up on you unexpectedly.<span> </span>Sometimes you see warning signs off in the
distance.<span> </span>For many people, storms
foster emotions of impending doom.<span> </span>While
others exude peace in the midst of raging storms.<span> </span>Life's most challenging times are equated
with storms.<span> </span>The mild challenges are a
gentle summer storm lasting only a moment.<span>
</span>Life's extreme challenges are raging tempests spawned by violent winds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Storms</i></b>, the fourth piece in the <i>Profiles of Courage</i> <i>Series</i>,
explores a community's reaction to life's challenges.<span> </span>Each person at some point experiences some
life challenge.<span> </span>The effects of each
person's handling of the challenge can have a lasting impact on the community
at large. <span> </span><span> </span>A mother faced with unemployment turns to
crime for daily survival.<span> </span>A teen
envisioning a hopeless future devalues the preciousness of life. A husband
unable to effectively communicate with a spouse or partner acts abusive. <span> </span>A young girl longing for love from an absent
father becomes promiscuous. I live in a metropolis containing over 2 million
people. The same storms that rage through our metropolis exist in the smallest
town.<span> </span>Our storms are just more
pronounced due to the sheer number of people reacting to their own storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">How can a community get through its storms
without self-destructing?<span> </span>I propose the
answer is people of faith.<span> </span>Their
thoughts, prayers, and actions envelop the community.<span> </span>In the community's darkest hours people of
faith are lights chasing away the darkness.<span>
</span>Often they are faithful mothers, grandmothers, and daughters with nurturing
spirits.<span> </span>They're guided by strong prayer
lives.<span> </span>These prayer warriors minds' are
fixed on their men and children.<span> </span>Their
strength is drawn from a higher power.<span>
</span>This strength is a protective blanket of hope.<span> </span>Soon the storms become obscure and faith
prevails.</span></span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-57720347085783789772011-12-05T00:00:00.000-06:002011-12-05T00:00:08.964-06:00Mind Control<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOs05jipNveY0LMotMn_5x9JcIdxBz8qdrhHRdQNdXslUZyTfyhpDE44SNpsh8ZZLWOo1sSLi8miLbNt6mZfyPEkMmN3F9zaa2DATSH_EHXO4kUGbNp_EQv3-KlImQ-8UCOTqsJwrPWA/s1600/RDLindsey_MindControl2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOs05jipNveY0LMotMn_5x9JcIdxBz8qdrhHRdQNdXslUZyTfyhpDE44SNpsh8ZZLWOo1sSLi8miLbNt6mZfyPEkMmN3F9zaa2DATSH_EHXO4kUGbNp_EQv3-KlImQ-8UCOTqsJwrPWA/s320/RDLindsey_MindControl2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">After completing </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Do You Hear What I Hear” (2011), </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I realized that every man of faith is
accompanied by a woman of the same character.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mind Control</i></b> represents her.
This third piece in the "Profiles in Courage" Series, shows science’s ability to
explain some things and its limitation to fathom others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Science has proven sound travels in
waves of varying frequencies. Humans
detect sound waves with their ears. Receptors
in the ear carry the waves to the brain.
The brain interprets the information from the ear and lets us know what we are hearing. Scientist have used MRI technology to study
the brain’s reaction to different types of sounds. The technology allows scientists to see
which areas of the brain are most excited by the sound stimulus. I believe emotion is measured through our
level of excitement. If you’re really
emotional the MRI will reveal higher levels of brain activity. But an MRI
cannot reveal human thought.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">If an MRI could read the thoughts of a
woman of faith after receiving bad news, it would reveal something
peculiar. After hearing pronouncements
of foreclosure, unemployment, and slow economy, her thought revealing MRI would
see faith, hope, and opportunity. How do
I know? Because I’ve experienced it. I know my actions and spoken my words. When the world marinated on seemingly
impossible situations, I've hung on to possibilities. I've turned pronouncements of doom into a new
beginning while all the time relying on the power of my great big God. A mind controlled by faith makes the
impossible possible.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-70444088613970904732011-12-02T00:00:00.000-06:002011-12-02T07:43:31.071-06:00Do You Hear What I Hear?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kiGRk6jDC1NnAX_ETSDF7diSLSp7JYol_U_-ZlZTIH4tH1cW9t7m1-HQ7lEvesMXGovKP4e_Gh-KIcrLc8fReVsiwBi-NxlWfl1SHICkRHN1Ua328d1zn__LfBQHKkFZBmHBHp7wYsc/s1600/RDLindsey_DoYouHear2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kiGRk6jDC1NnAX_ETSDF7diSLSp7JYol_U_-ZlZTIH4tH1cW9t7m1-HQ7lEvesMXGovKP4e_Gh-KIcrLc8fReVsiwBi-NxlWfl1SHICkRHN1Ua328d1zn__LfBQHKkFZBmHBHp7wYsc/s320/RDLindsey_DoYouHear2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do You Hear What I Hear? (2011) - mixed media textile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The second piece in the "Profiles of Courage Series", was completed on June 29, 2011 – the day of my 15<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is
my tribute to the man I embraced in marriage.
It is a testament to the man of faith he has become through every
challenging obstacle we have faced together.
He is also a science lover. His
tribute must combine faith with science.
“Do You Hear What I Hear” shows science’s ability to explain some things
and its limitation to fathom others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Science has proven sound travels in
waves of varying frequencies. Humans
detect sound waves with their ears.
Receptors in the ear carry the waves to the brain. The brain interprets the information from the
ear and lets us know what we are
hearing. Scientist have used MRI
technology to study the brain’s reaction to different types of sounds. The technology allows scientists to see
which areas of the brain are most excited by the sound stimulus. I believe emotion is measured through our
level of excitement. If you’re really
emotional the MRI will reveal higher levels of brain activity. But an MRI
cannot reveal human thought.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">If an MRI could read the thoughts of my
husband after receiving bad news, it would reveal something peculiar. After hearing pronouncements of
foreclosure, unemployment, and slow economy, his thought revealing MRI would
see faith, hope, and opportunity. How do
I know? Because I’ve stood by him and
heard the pronouncements with him. I’ve
watched his actions and heard his words.
When the world - and his wife - marinated on seemingly impossible
situations, he hung on to possibilities.
He turned each pronouncement of doom into a new beginning while all the
time relying on the power of his great big God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Martin Cornelius Lindsey thank you for being our
Christian family’s man of faith.</span>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-67733329860060703112011-11-30T00:00:00.000-06:002011-11-30T00:00:07.133-06:00Built On Nothing Less<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVGxh5PrpW9QmqjDP4oDEqJp8ui1qoN8CFW9wH0KXtpLI7NJoq0Mp0-s0xP1r5-2R228Q4YKhAXa2AG5uriaIhlQwNtGM2RI-EQLW_kP4-P8vld8hTl-hwrEHPaqpG10wI9OykBEa96Y/s1600/RDLindsey_BuiltOnNothing2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVGxh5PrpW9QmqjDP4oDEqJp8ui1qoN8CFW9wH0KXtpLI7NJoq0Mp0-s0xP1r5-2R228Q4YKhAXa2AG5uriaIhlQwNtGM2RI-EQLW_kP4-P8vld8hTl-hwrEHPaqpG10wI9OykBEa96Y/s320/RDLindsey_BuiltOnNothing2011.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I
am a woman of faith. My strength alone
is incapable of handling the challenges
of life. I depend on my beliefs
as a Christian to stand confidently and walk assuredly through
difficulties. <b><i>Built on Nothing Less</i></b> is
the first piece in the “Profiles of Courage” Series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The
human face is intriguing. A lifetime of
stories are hidden within its contours. The eyes are the window to the
soul. Unfortunately in our fast paced,
high tech lives we neglect opportunities to look at each other face to
face. Instead, we glance upon profiles
of heads bowed to electronic devices. A
person's profile provides limited insight into her psyche. When you only have access to her profile, you
must depend on other clues to determine what is going on within her. "Profiles in Courage" examines these clues. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Built on Nothing Less</span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"> is the story of a mother totally submitting to
a higher power to handle the concerns of her heart and mind. Hidden within her flowing locks are the
images of a broken community. Written on
her mind are her concerns about joblessness, crime, and foreclosures. But she is undergirded by a warm, all
encompassing energy. Her head and eyes
are lifted toward the source of this energy.
Her hands are folded in submission as she appeals for the deliverance of
her family and community, because she knows with faith, hope, and love comes
peace. Her future is built on nothing
less than this. </span></span>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-84802539920482295622011-11-28T00:00:00.001-06:002011-11-28T00:00:09.065-06:00Introducing Profiles in Courage Series<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
beginning of the twenty-first century
brought with it many challenges.
The evolution of technology during this time period led to many societal
changes. Our world became smaller with increased
access to information. People began to
relate to each other through machines rather than face-to-face. Centuries old education practices were
forced to evolve to meet the high demands of a world with greater access to
information. World economies shifted. Many people lost jobs. <i><b> </b></i><i><b>"Profiles in Courage"</b></i> explores how a
person approaches and handles the challenges of the twenty-first century.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The human
face is intriguing. A lifetime of
stories are hidden within its contours. The eyes are the window to the
soul. Unfortunately in our fast paced,
high tech lives we neglect opportunities to look at each other face to
face. Instead, we glance upon profiles
of heads bowed to electronic devices. A
person's profile provides limited insight into her psyche. When you only have access to her profile, you
must depend on other clues to determine what is going on within her. <i><b>"Profiles in Courage"</b></i> examines these clues.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Often a person's
surroundings provide clues to understanding her state of
mind. At other times, the surroundings
will lead you to incorrect conclusions. The pieces in this series
rely on the
background just as heavily as the foreground to tell the story. Color
and shape also play an important role. Movement is essential.
"Profiles in Courage" exemplifies
the human spirit's determination to overcome. Over the next few weeks,
this blog will present each piece in the <i><b>"Profiles in Courage"</b></i> series.</span></span>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-72670599799712081552011-09-19T11:39:00.000-05:002011-09-19T11:40:24.338-05:00Bronzeville's Newest Fabric Artist<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvQ8aoJs1fBVe2IH41euRIcKwSIk9NPIPUEpZqnZUkSnmA4FIKo7FL5rZQsKhDz6CX6e-Hcghw942DGZNPRBIxgjrF4vP-cEQiY3SvTAvHtSoXVhtRVqXIRMf26gfcV8P48LeGZP0X0s/s1600/RDLindsey_MindControl2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvQ8aoJs1fBVe2IH41euRIcKwSIk9NPIPUEpZqnZUkSnmA4FIKo7FL5rZQsKhDz6CX6e-Hcghw942DGZNPRBIxgjrF4vP-cEQiY3SvTAvHtSoXVhtRVqXIRMf26gfcV8P48LeGZP0X0s/s320/RDLindsey_MindControl2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mind Control (2011) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Only 6 more days until the premier art show for
Bronzeville's newest fabric artist.
Chicago's Bronzeville community has a rich history for African-Americans
in Chicago. <a href="http://explorechicago.org/city/en/neighborhoods/bronzeville.html">Bronzeville</a> was the area
where thousands of African-Americans settled in the early 1900's after moving
from the South in search of better opportunities. Bronzeville became the seat of
African-American culture in Chicago. The
area birthed poets, authors, singers, musicians, and visual artists. Bronzeville is experiencing a resurgence in
African-American culture. Providence settled
Ramona Dallum Lindsey, fabric artist, in historic Bronzeville in 2009 after
moving to Chicago from Opelika, Alabama with her husband and children in search
of greater opportunities.</div>
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Her interest in fabric art was rekindled after meeting one
of her quilting mentors, Gwen McGee Boyd, at Bronzeville's historic <a href="http://lakemeadowsartfair.com/default.aspx">LakeMeadows Art Fair</a>. From her condo in her
Bronzeville brownstone Ramona experimented with transforming traditional
quilting and embroidery techniques into modern art telling the story of her
complex community. She uses fabric to
create wall art and fabric sculptures.
Her pieces are rich tapestries of color, dimension and texture. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusk2-HVjWBE3MQNKPD1c3ILbxu5JjgVKJuy21LC-NQfzR-D33FMTAGw3KVTDJsVX41uwy9L_RoFO7P9bVfZhfWb2Ijqnv7msaWHxMXsCWtF_cRVjO780KN1xbB29oAJNpJburaTO2EtM/s1600/RDLindsey_Storms2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusk2-HVjWBE3MQNKPD1c3ILbxu5JjgVKJuy21LC-NQfzR-D33FMTAGw3KVTDJsVX41uwy9L_RoFO7P9bVfZhfWb2Ijqnv7msaWHxMXsCWtF_cRVjO780KN1xbB29oAJNpJburaTO2EtM/s320/RDLindsey_Storms2011.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storms (2011) - Ramona Dallum Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sunday, September 25, 2011, will mark the introduction of
her art to the Bronzeville community through her invitation only fine art show
titled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Metamorphosis: A Fine Art Show</i></b>. Ramona will present nine pieces from her <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Profiles
in Courage Series</i></b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Profiles
in Courage</i></b> is a visual story of peoples' resolve to soar above life's
challenges. She will also present her
inaugural sculpture for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trees of Life Series </i></b>which uses trees
to metaphorically represent life's journey and nature's relationship to the
human experience. If you would like, an
invitation to Ramona Dallum Lindsey's <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Metamorphosis: A Fine Art Show</i></b>
please post a comment requesting an invite.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></div>
Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-5408375094097974182011-06-30T07:48:00.001-05:002011-06-30T07:52:55.858-05:00Do You Hear What I Hear? - A Tribute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmspZTy2jIRzVU2pFRcTvdQXwEH8qULf1VOZ4lDPMrJZzihxQcCso428m9n5mR2UYm1u9o_UTNE4UEzezYAEGnjUc_Uj18Cc0ijlwpLVZU-x5igEKQ6gtFCjge_kiihfnrpkFj84GteQ/s1600/Do_you_hear_detail_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmspZTy2jIRzVU2pFRcTvdQXwEH8qULf1VOZ4lDPMrJZzihxQcCso428m9n5mR2UYm1u9o_UTNE4UEzezYAEGnjUc_Uj18Cc0ijlwpLVZU-x5igEKQ6gtFCjge_kiihfnrpkFj84GteQ/s320/Do_you_hear_detail_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My education in the <a href="http://www.famu.edu/?main&home">School of Business and Industry at Florida A & M University</a> warned against mixing business with personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the corporate world of an employee such a combination could lead to career implosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Art is personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also my business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m ignoring FAMU’s warning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead I’m encouraging an intimate love affair between personal and business. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6j0uG5dY-l6ATOELtYn7KdLP7OCmKmDXQ-F61US0osTRGdaH84QJQ9j-KosKzfYxEGv9Iv_JJvXpFwzC01CM9Hkhci0GhCaLNLbA4WX9GT77LwsKZH0ipY16QGltBWC1ETDGg9EDF8c/s1600/Do_you_hear_full_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6j0uG5dY-l6ATOELtYn7KdLP7OCmKmDXQ-F61US0osTRGdaH84QJQ9j-KosKzfYxEGv9Iv_JJvXpFwzC01CM9Hkhci0GhCaLNLbA4WX9GT77LwsKZH0ipY16QGltBWC1ETDGg9EDF8c/s320/Do_you_hear_full_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My latest piece, “Do You Hear What I Hear” (2011), was completed on June 29<sup>th</sup> – the day of my 15<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do You Hear…” is my tribute to the man I embraced in marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a testament to the man of faith he has become through every challenging obstacle we have faced together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also a science lover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tribute must combine faith with science. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do You Hear What I Hear” shows science’s ability to explain some things and its limitation to fathom others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Science has proven sound travels in waves of varying frequencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans detect sound waves with their ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Receptors in the ear carry the waves to the brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brain interprets the information from the ear and lets <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us know what we are hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scientist have used MRI technology to study the brain’s reaction to different types of sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technology allows scientists to see which areas of the brain are most excited by the sound stimulus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe emotion is measured through our level of excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re really emotional the MRI will reveal higher levels of brain activity. But an MRI cannot reveal human thought.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If an MRI could read the thoughts of my husband after receiving bad news, it would reveal something peculiar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After hearing pronouncements of foreclosure, unemployment, and slow economy, his thought revealing MRI would see faith, hope, and opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’ve stood by him and heard the pronouncements with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched his actions and heard his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the world - and his wife - marinated on seemingly impossible situations, he hung on to possibilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned each pronouncement of doom into a new beginning while all the time relying on the power of his great big God.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband has always wanted to be a part of something scientific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to enter “Do You Hear What I Hear” in <a href="http://www.saqa.com/">SAQA Il/WI’s</a> Stitched Together, Art and Science exhibit to be held in the art gallery at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.fnal.gov/">Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told him about the exhibit he exclaimed, “Fermilab has the largest particle accelerator in the midwest!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always wanted to go there!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully the art piece he inspired will one day be mounted on walls dripping with science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.aqueductmediacorp.com/">Martin Cornelius Lindsey</a> thank you for being this Christian family’s man of faith.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-42985179460431783042011-06-13T18:54:00.000-05:002011-06-13T18:54:23.801-05:00Where Are We?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUZm6HhQa51Lwdi7SD34nA5CG7_eszugKRdvpBwzhqhefMuycbLtVA0nylta3nx5lepploBLeQV0iTq7f-_vHARbAVA0vfFrrolRVhUiI356aVr52vJeGWv8xAV64glw9afxNLoC1r-M/s1600/William_Cowherd_Jr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUZm6HhQa51Lwdi7SD34nA5CG7_eszugKRdvpBwzhqhefMuycbLtVA0nylta3nx5lepploBLeQV0iTq7f-_vHARbAVA0vfFrrolRVhUiI356aVr52vJeGWv8xAV64glw9afxNLoC1r-M/s200/William_Cowherd_Jr.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://williamcj.com/index.php">William "CJ" Cowherd Jr - 57th Street Art Fair Vendor, Chicago, IL</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Attending art fairs and gallery openings<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is my newest past time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m meeting artists, observing new techniques, and experiencing different mediums. But I’m also discovering a recurring trend – the minuscule number of African-American artists at mainstream art fairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself asking, where are we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why aren’t more of us in juried art fairs such as the 57<sup>th</sup> Street, Gold Coast, and Old Town Art Fairs - all prominent Chicago art fairs? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYyVgucE5d5fWGlFbQPr942aDVlDm2ByMNxmlcp3GcHoEFg5r2urNY06dGk9479gz1VSID-5NBM0ctvGkxeMXm_FER-3VZd23OQuWy-CZJzDmCG7bncphN_7wixE9v19rvDSlh5YX0hg/s1600/Cheryl_Toles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYyVgucE5d5fWGlFbQPr942aDVlDm2ByMNxmlcp3GcHoEFg5r2urNY06dGk9479gz1VSID-5NBM0ctvGkxeMXm_FER-3VZd23OQuWy-CZJzDmCG7bncphN_7wixE9v19rvDSlh5YX0hg/s200/Cheryl_Toles.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tolesart.com/">Cheryl Toles - 57th Street Art Fair Vendor, Chicago, IL</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">My experience tells me there are thousands of talented, contemporary African-American and African Diaspora artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though an abundance of artistic talent exists in Chicago less than 2% of the approximately 200 artists at this year’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>57<sup>th</sup> Street Art Fair in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park community were African-American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this happening? I don’t believe the reason is a lack of talent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America has a well established system of privilege, but I don’t think this is the primary reason either. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I propose the primary reason is a lack of professional preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Several weeks ago, I presented some of my artwork to a prominent Chicago gallery owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reviewing my work, he acknowledged my creativity and artistic talent then he succinctly stated my art wouldn’t work in his gallery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his opinion, my presentation lacked the polish to appeal to fine art collectors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My pieces weren’t ready to hang in collector’s homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mounted my art on the least expensive pre-stretched canvas available not realizing collectors and galleries have acceptable standards for unframed works. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My presentation didn’t meet those standards. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likened my artistic presentation to a well designed car with missing wheels – it looks good but it can’t be driven.</div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Mainstream art fair jurors are concerned with presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They expect the artist’s presentation to mimic a fine gallery transported to a neighborhood street. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 57<sup>th</sup> Street Art Fair runs concurrently with and adjacent to the Hyde Park Community Art Fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both shows are juried, but are totally different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 57<sup>th</sup> Street Fair seems to cater to high end fine art collectors while the Community Art Fair draws the casual art appreciator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another outstanding difference was large numbers of African-American vendors at the Community Art Fair even though the vendor fees for each fair were identical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked my children if they noticed a difference between the two art fairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My middle school son responded, "The 57<sup>th</sup> Street one is for professionals and the Community is for amateurs."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained further by saying that the professionals took time to come up with an interesting display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Do the jurors of mainstream shows see the same thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As African-American artists do we need to move from amateur to professional by investing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>presentation? Are the photos we use to introduce our work to juries professional quality? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we need to educate ourselves on the expectations of collectors and galleries while maintaining our artistic creativity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we operating like business owners who understand the expectations of its customers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are these the changes African-American artists need to make to increase our access to mainstream art fairs and galleries?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would the fine art market change if more of us took these steps? What do you think?</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-5138467348672260232011-05-31T10:42:00.000-05:002011-05-31T10:42:58.787-05:00Don’t Become an Isolated Griot!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:ApplyBreakingRules/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4aB_oxrDQqmfwq80ucOnf111uZw_fZZwmV__FcGCL61c9n_gJBVIJ50QA7yeFKKm7OV-t797SoprB-dbtyxUQJUWfhjbXfvT-9o1gpnvhmwAC2xI5iE0jGzZNTtIzdbYE-2wX0q4O44/s1600/Patricia_Coleman_Cobb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4aB_oxrDQqmfwq80ucOnf111uZw_fZZwmV__FcGCL61c9n_gJBVIJ50QA7yeFKKm7OV-t797SoprB-dbtyxUQJUWfhjbXfvT-9o1gpnvhmwAC2xI5iE0jGzZNTtIzdbYE-2wX0q4O44/s200/Patricia_Coleman_Cobb.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patcobb.com/artinpublications.html">Patricia Coleman Cobb</a> & Ramona</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Artists run the risk of isolation.<span> </span>We can become trapped in our own creative minds and spaces.<span> </span>Our studios are our sanctuaries, but sometimes they become our prisons.<span> </span>We refuse to leave our safe creative space to venture into the world.<span> </span>I heard an artist describe all artists as modern day griots.<span> </span>Our art tells the story of a people, community, and nation.<span> </span>But what good is a story if it is not heard?<span> </span>What good is a griot who only tells stories to herself?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rdGtH3lyEd2QG2cIcdYX4BYtsK-eu5Fbbv6HEaxaQ5Se7hzGPGQn0SkS0rwOybiLoizs2ilaCVsobDgt8bE05B0IyyQi3KSFmPwrNNqgKQuqslT65brpbebm7DpuvPhLWYnhtY6XCQ0/s1600/Patricia_Coleman_Cobb_dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rdGtH3lyEd2QG2cIcdYX4BYtsK-eu5Fbbv6HEaxaQ5Se7hzGPGQn0SkS0rwOybiLoizs2ilaCVsobDgt8bE05B0IyyQi3KSFmPwrNNqgKQuqslT65brpbebm7DpuvPhLWYnhtY6XCQ0/s200/Patricia_Coleman_Cobb_dolls.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patricia Cobb's fiber & clay dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">We must open ourselves up to experience the creativity of other artists.<span> </span>There are always art exhibits, openings and gatherings going on somewhere.<span> </span>We must take the time to attend these events and talk to each other.<span> </span>Online groups like Black Art in America<span> </span>have helped begin this process.<span> </span>As an art patron, I believed artists were reclusive, secretive, and mysterious.<span> </span>I thought someone with such creativity couldn’t be easy to understand or befriend.<span> </span>But then I realized, I was an artist and I’m none of those things.<span> </span>In fact, I’m an open book with an ever changing story.<span> </span>If this was my reality, then it must also be the same for other artists.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOQ0f3SN14HMsy0XoACU7ZuLqvEO_Md8zuMhIWypXLAz6DdAEA9i5tFeDNQZ-8hYaxa_HNDPvXhwXUWELpqVy72SYPsrilw-lOWrWZjVYWQCycNWhxaM8zM_BXG7rljdfgCpqQ6mXJ08/s1600/Danny_Broadway_Ramona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOQ0f3SN14HMsy0XoACU7ZuLqvEO_Md8zuMhIWypXLAz6DdAEA9i5tFeDNQZ-8hYaxa_HNDPvXhwXUWELpqVy72SYPsrilw-lOWrWZjVYWQCycNWhxaM8zM_BXG7rljdfgCpqQ6mXJ08/s200/Danny_Broadway_Ramona.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dannybroadway.com/">Danny Broadway</a> & Ramona</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">At every art opening, street fair, or gallery show I’ve attended, I’ve encountered wonderful artists who fed my creativity with their energy.<span> </span>A community grows as its members interact.<span> </span>Sharing stories, asking questions, and cooperative dreaming is the fertilizer for its growth. <span> </span>As a community of artists, we must seek out each other and challenge each other’s growth. We must not allow ourselves to become isolated islands.<span> </span>Social networking is helping to bring us together but we must strive to expand our relationships into the real world.<span> </span></span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-22668796157426336352011-05-26T08:06:00.000-05:002011-05-26T08:06:26.430-05:00Life is a Big Bowl of Questions<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Todd Pope & Ramona D Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My eight year old daughter explained that, "Life is a big bowl of questions." (Of course, this was her response to my asking why she has so many questions for mommy.) But this young philosopher was correct. Life does revolve around questions and our search for the answers. Questions were my reason for attending <a href="http://www.sistersandfriendsartshow.com/">Sisters and Friends Afrocentric Fine Art Show in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois</a>on May 21st-22nd. As an emerging artist, leaving over a decade of service as a public school educator, I have many questions about the life and responsibilities of a professional artist. I've attended many fine art shows as a patron, but never as an artist. Hence, my first question, "How do artists prepare for a fine art show?" </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abstracts by Dana Todd Pope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My husband, a social media network guru, introduced me to my newest artist friend and painter, <a href="http://www.danatoddpope.com/">Dana Todd Pope</a>. Dana was a featured artist at the Sisters and Friends show. In a quest to find answers to my question, I volunteered to travel with Dana to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to help her set-up for the show. She quickly accepted my offer. I learned the work begins weeks before the show. First, an artist must handle logistics such as travel arrangements, hotel rooms, and securing display panels. Weeks prior to the show she spent an untold number of hours creating new works insuring she had a consistent body of work.</div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEWfrbj7uAbmybHSt4xF64XLscfBK-ucegEOr1UT-ftJUmFHdrHb7abeEm2sflClxQw142xZxATa0t5p1C18YTLWfugq3zhyphenhyphenQj3Us2OhlxTJMrdbZYMcyTAP6W6ZRM8xs11VlqPU6pGk/s1600/D_PopePanelWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEWfrbj7uAbmybHSt4xF64XLscfBK-ucegEOr1UT-ftJUmFHdrHb7abeEm2sflClxQw142xZxATa0t5p1C18YTLWfugq3zhyphenhyphenQj3Us2OhlxTJMrdbZYMcyTAP6W6ZRM8xs11VlqPU6pGk/s200/D_PopePanelWall.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More work by Dana Todd Pope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After arriving at the show, Dana became a curator. She considered the flow of the room, her art's story, and lighting to decide the placement of her work. Then she became a foreman directing the actions of her laborers to build panels, display walls, and remount art work disassembled for travel. Finally, she donned her fancy dress, stilettos, and glamour girl make-up to become a premier promoter of her work. She greeted art patrons, told her story, and closed business deals.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Watching and supporting Dana was the best answer to my simple question. I learned things from one day of volunteer work that I could have never gotten from a book. My mother always said, "Experience is the best teacher and there are no dumb questions." I’m glad I heeded my mom's advice. My art career will be so much better because I took the time to ask questions and seek answers. What questions are you asking?</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-35337643392088715772011-05-23T22:07:00.000-05:002011-05-23T22:07:51.877-05:00Sisters and Friends with a Passion for Art<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4rJVgBzu4cQ7SMBsorvqE2iSEL8cXFqP85T7luiaiwzCktrG7jlytC7ewpuMgI05kA1iPr26JLd1Cv0Je0jyGk44WGj38dNhMoxQQ4XxGU_hYOW70J-SzTH5VHhKXW5JylmZ38Bdg2w/s1600/Group_Sisters_Ewing2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4rJVgBzu4cQ7SMBsorvqE2iSEL8cXFqP85T7luiaiwzCktrG7jlytC7ewpuMgI05kA1iPr26JLd1Cv0Je0jyGk44WGj38dNhMoxQQ4XxGU_hYOW70J-SzTH5VHhKXW5JylmZ38Bdg2w/s320/Group_Sisters_Ewing2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>What do you do when you are a professional, culturally inspired African-American woman in a community nearly void of cultural activities relevant to your ethnic experience? You simply call your sister friends. This was the case in 1994 when 4 such women founded SisterFriends to introduce Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to culture relevant to the African Diaspora. These 4 forward thinking women began hosting artist shows in their homes as a way to educate their community about artists of the African Diaspora and the impact of their art on the world. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">By 1999, SisterFriends evolved into a non-profit organization known as <a href="http://www.sistersandfriendsartshow.com/index.html">Sisters and Friends</a>. Their living room art shows transformed into an annual event - The Afrocentric Fine Art Show - held at venues containing thousands of square feet to exhibit art works created by regional, national, and international artists. Sisters and Friends have partnered with numerous civic-minded and corporate entities to fulfill their mission which includes increasing awareness of African-American & African Diaspora art, enhance artist’s contributions to the community, advocate for youth expose to art, preserve the legacy of artists, and provide scholarships for African-American art students.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAARVPsV_8K6yed9lyvTwPV0mZgRIUYJzTOatAFxpHEGMy-ZLhF6vTDLfrIigQK5x7itIG1sBkGGDiVjw_QqCB4yydgNJVqDO3UvVRhFArAJq3RAxePynzmQU3OJm2Asngqz-LOM8bBw/s1600/Senegal_2_auto_correct2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAARVPsV_8K6yed9lyvTwPV0mZgRIUYJzTOatAFxpHEGMy-ZLhF6vTDLfrIigQK5x7itIG1sBkGGDiVjw_QqCB4yydgNJVqDO3UvVRhFArAJq3RAxePynzmQU3OJm2Asngqz-LOM8bBw/s320/Senegal_2_auto_correct2.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>Bloomington-Normal, Illinois is home to the corporate headquarters of State Farm. It is no surprise that this highly respected organization is a major supporter of Sisters and Friends’ Afrocentric Fine Art Show. The weekend of May 21<sup>st</sup> and 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2011, marked the sixteenth year for the show. It was formerly billed as Art Couture. Art Couture featured such artists as <a href="http://www.patcobb.com/">Patricia Coleman-Cobb</a>, <a href="http://www.dannybroadway.com/">Danny Broadway</a>, <a href="https://www.galleryguichard.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=70">Paul Branton</a>, <a href="http://www.joycelomax.com/">Joyce Lomax</a>, and <a href="http://www.danatoddpope.com/">Dana Todd Pope</a>. <a href="http://www.galleryguichard.com/index.php?osCsid=371c2053ac82c065aa1684a565c168bc">Gallery Guichard</a>, a prominent Chicago gallery, also presented works from several of its highly talented artists. In the spirit of their mission, Sisters & Friends hosted each artist with the royal treatment, which included an invitation only dinner on the first night of the show.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even though their numbers are small, their influence is far reaching. Visitors to the sixteenth annual show came from locations throughout the Midwest, including St. Louis and Chicago. These fearless, passionate, and devoted women are cultural leaders in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. By filling a void, they have transcended racial and ethnic barriers to unite a community around the beauty of art. On behalf of artists everywhere, I salute your efforts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Sisters and Friends Officers</u> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Glenda Masingale Manson, President</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Johnene Adams, Fund Development</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Wilma Bates, Marketing Director/Scholarships</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Carol Milling Cruz, Creative Director/Webmaster</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Angela Davenport, Artist Events</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Beverly Reid, Secretary/Treasurer</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Stephanie Woodard, Volunteers</div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-34180811184028909052011-05-16T07:52:00.001-05:002011-05-16T07:52:33.759-05:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTMwNTU1MDI3MzI4MSZwdD*xMzA1NTUwMzczMTA1JnA9MTAxOTEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MSZvPWFhM2FkMGFhOTIzYTQx/ZWQ4NTY2YzQ*NTk1MTBjNzg3Jm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="width:425px" id="__ss_7980230"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/ramonadlindseyartist/ramona-dallum-lindsey-artist-portfolio-7980230" title="Ramona Dallum Lindsey Artist Portfolio">Ramona Dallum Lindsey Artist Portfolio</a></strong> <object id="__sse7980230" width="425" height="355"> <param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=ramonadallumlindseyportfolio-110516073835-phpapp02&stripped_title=ramona-dallum-lindsey-artist-portfolio-7980230&userName=ramonadlindseyartist" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed name="__sse7980230" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=ramonadallumlindseyportfolio-110516073835-phpapp02&stripped_title=ramona-dallum-lindsey-artist-portfolio-7980230&userName=ramonadlindseyartist" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355" FlashVars="gig_lt=1305550273281&gig_pt=1305550373105&gig_g=1&gig_n=blogger"></embed> <param name="FlashVars" value="gig_lt=1305550273281&gig_pt=1305550373105&gig_g=1&gig_n=blogger" /></object> <div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/ramonadlindseyartist">ramonadlindseyartist</a> </div></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-16027411473351179542011-05-13T15:25:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:25:17.591-05:00How Am I Doing?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:ApplyBreakingRules/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWvPXPYki4G_zS454VUCP7DvoutwBh12cR24TQ9moVKNM2T8uxTnAv9IH7IntJErAJsokk7vBGr4uq2OD1FZf_iC2XiqOxLzQPpbrPswa8rrKeUHWorAQBeeNa4XKHwDyDLXQcXqkrpA/s1600/embrace_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWvPXPYki4G_zS454VUCP7DvoutwBh12cR24TQ9moVKNM2T8uxTnAv9IH7IntJErAJsokk7vBGr4uq2OD1FZf_iC2XiqOxLzQPpbrPswa8rrKeUHWorAQBeeNa4XKHwDyDLXQcXqkrpA/s200/embrace_2011.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embrace (2011) Art quilt with mixed-media collage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Embrace</i></b>(2011) is my latest creation as a professional mixed media artist. It is a collaboration of my favorite mediums and techniques - collage, fabric, and sculpture.<span> </span>I enjoy combining small bits of this and that to create something new and exciting.<span> </span>Collage and quilting do just that.<span> </span>As a youth, I enjoyed giving family and friends unique gifts from my heart and hands.<span> </span>I always had little money for art supplies, but my mother was an elementary school teacher who always had construction paper, crayons, and glue.<span> </span>I would raid her stash of old magazines, kitchen cabinets, and jewelry drawers for things I could use in my art creations.<span> </span>These early exploits began my foray into the world of collage.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjERUeSToyMoiB4c3uqufM0WBGHzbKCaOxH-rYkxEUr_uMNVLgoDBdK_yo7Vyhc3V6A-89I3jP8gkzrPsjl-zmbPVKUwU33pFn27wGXGB1V4i0ghyphenhyphenB_K90h2eCCgywvHvabW-3PL5OMgU/s1600/embrace_bottom_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjERUeSToyMoiB4c3uqufM0WBGHzbKCaOxH-rYkxEUr_uMNVLgoDBdK_yo7Vyhc3V6A-89I3jP8gkzrPsjl-zmbPVKUwU33pFn27wGXGB1V4i0ghyphenhyphenB_K90h2eCCgywvHvabW-3PL5OMgU/s200/embrace_bottom_detail.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft Sculpture saxophone detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">My mother was also an amateur seamstress.<span> </span>She never let me on her sewing machine, but she gave me needle, thread, and fabric scraps.<span> </span>I loved the feel of the needle passing through the fabric.<span> </span>Working with the needle and thread was calming.<span> </span>It allowed my mind to escape the cares of the world.<span> </span>As I grew, I realized making clothes was not my thing.<span> </span>Instead, I'd rather use fabric to create beauty I could hang on walls for all to see.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F0NAGKac0mjgyjHVucDb2HbPketZ3Lks6tKKq_pIMS63wC_cpoCr4RlAUrMiXJiboiVktxuyN_JE5ePdDIILDn5-rk2Mdwuem_OpBEgGOdG4-ylJNpb_lqopG4J3wJc85HctnJmJ1gI/s1600/embrace_top_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F0NAGKac0mjgyjHVucDb2HbPketZ3Lks6tKKq_pIMS63wC_cpoCr4RlAUrMiXJiboiVktxuyN_JE5ePdDIILDn5-rk2Mdwuem_OpBEgGOdG4-ylJNpb_lqopG4J3wJc85HctnJmJ1gI/s200/embrace_top_detail.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bas Relief Singer detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">After watching, <b><i>Ghost</i></b>, starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg, I convinced my mother to buy me a mini-pottery wheel.<span> </span>I never mastered that thing.<span> </span>Even after taking classes, I really disliked throwing clay.<span> </span>But someone suggested I try hand building.<span> </span>Now, that was my speed.<span> </span>I appreciated the feel of the clay and my ability to mold it into something special.<span> </span>However working with clay is expensive.<span> </span>So I reached back into my fabric stash and began experimenting with fabric sculpture.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchaQ31k7jPuoaXSWecrl-I0ZZB4hxh08rpcEAmKGChY65AOU1HsL2lno0V_yP5P77yMeto2AQedzmRqKqPRzyCg4lUY15Y3QGzK9CchVhSxFspWi3xctRQYU30ZF6Won40kUyODttNL4/s1600/Precious_lord_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchaQ31k7jPuoaXSWecrl-I0ZZB4hxh08rpcEAmKGChY65AOU1HsL2lno0V_yP5P77yMeto2AQedzmRqKqPRzyCg4lUY15Y3QGzK9CchVhSxFspWi3xctRQYU30ZF6Won40kUyODttNL4/s200/Precious_lord_detail.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand stitched ribbon detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Embrace</i></b>(2011) <span style="font-family: "inherit","serif";">marks more than the beginning of a spirit led art career. It signifies the merging of all of my artistic passions into one piece. I randomly cut warm colored fabric shapes from repurposed clothes and curtains.<span> </span>I used fabric fusing techniques to collage these pieces to create a vibrant art quilt focal point.<span> </span>Then I used fabric sculpture techniques to mold a 3-D saxophone and bas relief singer.<span> </span>The gold ribbons leaping from the instrument were hand stitched to the art quilt symbolizing music's embrace over every aspect of a community.<span> </span>Next, I collaged a stretched canvas with layers of sheet music containing old jazz standards, acrylic paint, tulle, and gel medium.<span> </span>I'm inspired by language and the sheet music represents the language of music.<span> </span>Finally, I hand stitched the art quilt to the sheet music to complete the story.</span></div><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1kYtcpymy_s8nagyGZmUpnM6XH5t_uv7b815KbSwdnuNHcnqq1-WLMfl56gmKgmQi4VnCJsTr7MyfutOdFnTqXBsvBhZFqaSO_wi2gaTpWsxHRa1XhPOovWno19b1Cj_l8bb4_rK8xY/s1600/printed_homes_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1kYtcpymy_s8nagyGZmUpnM6XH5t_uv7b815KbSwdnuNHcnqq1-WLMfl56gmKgmQi4VnCJsTr7MyfutOdFnTqXBsvBhZFqaSO_wi2gaTpWsxHRa1XhPOovWno19b1Cj_l8bb4_rK8xY/s200/printed_homes_detail.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen-printed homes detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I am a self-taught artist transforming a creative hobby into a professional career. Many artists believe extraordinary art is determined by a work's design composition (balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, unity) and artistic elements (line, shape, form, space, color, value, texture).<span> </span>As creative individuals, we can grow from each other's feedback.<span> </span>How well do you think <b><i>Embrace</i></b> addresses design composition and artistic elements?<span> </span>I would love to read your honest and informed comments to further my development as an artist.</span>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-3178524175967571332011-05-09T09:27:00.000-05:002011-05-09T09:27:33.212-05:00Slave to Markets vs. Free to Create<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPCoa6ouN91Cs-a1GQ1Tc_xqhZgmPqPaHqW7KlheiuSI2bAv8WKnLrwzBf6YyDqatWvcIBC-ZrE74jRjgMp9EbVWuBN1Nhr5BalIvpm3Hq2CP5tOGnTSljjbyI3AQGT-mXrDvSwg6p6Y/s1600/embrace_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPCoa6ouN91Cs-a1GQ1Tc_xqhZgmPqPaHqW7KlheiuSI2bAv8WKnLrwzBf6YyDqatWvcIBC-ZrE74jRjgMp9EbVWuBN1Nhr5BalIvpm3Hq2CP5tOGnTSljjbyI3AQGT-mXrDvSwg6p6Y/s200/embrace_full.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Embrace (2011), R. D. Lindsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">We often become slaves because we decide to let outside forces dictate the direction for our lives instead of allowing a well-fed spirit to guide us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the start of my professional journey as an artist, I decided the art market and collector’s tastes would influence my creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought, “This is the best strategy for success! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If no one wants your work, how else can you make money?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After visiting several art exhibits, I noticed that many African-American artists used music as their primary subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to set myself apart, so I refused to create any work dealing with music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a series of stupid decisions!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past several months, I have exposed myself to true artists - artists who see their work as a spiritual connection with the world’s inhabitants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True artists base their success on more than dollars gained from sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success is based on their ability to touch hearts, souls, and minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their work is the deepest form of human sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned my creative expression is a gift from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given me a story to tell through my hands’ creations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to tell the story of resiliency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a black artist who must not be ashamed to embrace my heritage and resiliency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32Z7IofhzCW-WAcC9wjky_YKB98undLfs2Gd7v2lpQPQaVkcsHwfPLlhTZ5yi0kXxyE85GK5D0cLMWh8IXUgw2UW-LAyUuHjOCJaIBNEzdstuTkXY2v4ULH25_QMvpbnzzSexNSiUQx4/s1600/embrace_sax_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32Z7IofhzCW-WAcC9wjky_YKB98undLfs2Gd7v2lpQPQaVkcsHwfPLlhTZ5yi0kXxyE85GK5D0cLMWh8IXUgw2UW-LAyUuHjOCJaIBNEzdstuTkXY2v4ULH25_QMvpbnzzSexNSiUQx4/s200/embrace_sax_detail.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric sculpted saxophone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Why do so many African-American artist use music as a subject? Because it is so much a part of our people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music embraces every part of our being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday morning’s it ushers in our worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday evenings it cosigns our stories around the card table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melodies from living room concerts float out windows to entertain the entire neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music sets the mood for lip locking passion. And regardless of our economic condition, many of us lace our music with a little libation to lift our spirit and dull our pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we want to really be honest, music does this for every inhabitant of God’s Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music is a universal embrace.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I have struggled for months to create an image that represents me as an artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing seemed to fit until an acquaintance approached me about a commission representing her family’s passion for music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started playing around with ideas and felt my spirit soar as I worked on a practice piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then the commission has died but my spirit has resurrected with the creation of my latest piece, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Embrace</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Embrace</i></b> marks the beginning of a spirit led art career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this new beginning, comes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my declaration of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>freedom to embrace God’s purpose for my life as an artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My way is not crystal clear, but I’m daring to depend on the power of my well feed spirit to light the way.</span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018375633380712815.post-23381764366242098642011-05-04T08:33:00.000-05:002011-05-04T08:33:26.360-05:00I Can Play, Too!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:ApplyBreakingRules/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoOcKSF8YDtgc6SqdKeAj5eHLuzTSVbXtWYLInZWM5w5va-YIctQzZjLRD5J0VCh5Yhzj14zTJ1XxOzbo3F2LxIxRWnwLZjMZsBo6Y_7pEVSKG08vngri5gQanxK0l2AY3Al5A0G161M/s1600/red_blueSwirl_mono-prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoOcKSF8YDtgc6SqdKeAj5eHLuzTSVbXtWYLInZWM5w5va-YIctQzZjLRD5J0VCh5Yhzj14zTJ1XxOzbo3F2LxIxRWnwLZjMZsBo6Y_7pEVSKG08vngri5gQanxK0l2AY3Al5A0G161M/s200/red_blueSwirl_mono-prints.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono-print on cotton with <a href="http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/">ProChemical</a> Inks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Children have the most unusual ideas about appropriate activities for their parents. Our children always have busy weekends.<span> </span>Last weekend, as a gesture of feinted concern, my son asked, "What are you doing today?"<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">I proudly responded, "I have a play date."<span> </span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"></div><blockquote><div class="MsoNormal">He scrunched his nose, bucked his eyes, and with raised brows declared, "You are too old for a play date!" </div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every artist should make time to play with their friends.<span> </span>You may wonder what is an artist's "play date".<span> </span>It is an opportunity for like minded artists to come together to share ideas, techniques, and processes.<span> </span>A play date is an opportunity to explore possibilities with the support of others who aren't afraid to try something new.<span> </span>It is an chance to expand your artistic process.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Play dates are especially important in a depressed economy.<span> </span>When an artist is having difficulty selling their work funds are limited for intensive workshops and professional development.<span> </span>Without these opportunities, an artist runs the risk of becoming stagnant.<span> </span>Play dates allow the artist to learn from other artists working in the same media.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY3yJh7bDxy9rhN1oSn8N26fbwxzX8-C_rSmTEtVxyovTJtXCLfGNwqnZEB9BvVoxQiq0r2cDgjbd403LdVgArf5QyAfiugQ8oRdYcLe6lY9EEho8CPgVSRazHpW9URiyr-qKBEs0Ofw/s1600/crazy_duck_mono.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY3yJh7bDxy9rhN1oSn8N26fbwxzX8-C_rSmTEtVxyovTJtXCLfGNwqnZEB9BvVoxQiq0r2cDgjbd403LdVgArf5QyAfiugQ8oRdYcLe6lY9EEho8CPgVSRazHpW9URiyr-qKBEs0Ofw/s200/crazy_duck_mono.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mono-print on cotton with <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2067-AA.shtml">Setacolor</a> paints</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">How does a play date work?<span> </span>It's very simple.<span> </span>You get together some friends. Bring some toys to their studio. And after playing for hours you eat together.<span> </span>In my case, my friends were 5 members of <a href="http://www.artquilters.com/">Professional Art Quilters Alliance (PAQA)</a>, which is based in Illinois.<span> </span>We decided before hand to play with mono-printing on fabric.<span> </span>So our toys were inks, paints, fabrics, and tools from our personal stashes. During my younger play dates, we always tired of the game we came to play and thought of something new to do.<span> </span>This is also the case today.<span> </span>We soon tired of mono-printing and began exploring stamping.<span> </span>Finally, the youngest member of the group anxiously announced, "I have an hour before I have to pick-up my kids!"</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That was the signal for the best part of the play date - LUNCH!<span> </span>Each person brought something to share.<span> </span>Like most health conscious artists we had a balanced lunch of fresh, organic salad made with lettuce from our hostess's garden accompanied with homemade bread and followed by three different decadent desserts. (OK, you're right! The meal wasn't really balanced.)<span> </span>But it allowed us to ruminate about life the way only a bunch of creative ladies know how.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope you are in no way like my son.<span> </span>Don't ever think you are too old to play!<span> </span>I know I can't wait until our next<span> </span>4 hours of artistic fun. Who are you going to call to schedule a<span> </span>play date?<span> </span></div>Ramona Lindsey, Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05374838129258535149noreply@blogger.com0