Look at the little things ...


“Find magic in the little things, and the big things you always expected will start to show up.”

― Isa Zapata

Your #virginiacreates May calendar is coming to you a bit late because I was on an artist's retreat in San Gimignano, Italy and, blessedly, I had little WiFi.  The retreat was run by Michael Dowling of Spoke, www.spokeart.org, an amazing organization that I highly recommend you look at the work that they do!!! 

This month's #virginiacreates calendar is featuring one of the collages that I made during my retreat.  Inspired by a story that Michael shared on our first morning.  He spoke about a woman who was committed to an asylum and who collected stuff out of the trash to embroider and to create with.  The asylum staff saw this habit of going through the trash as proof of her mental sickness and medicated her.  This story broke my heart on so many levels.   I am a woman who has used trash and debris in much of her work - from an international business of making jewelry out of used bottle caps to a room sized installation centered around a n 8 foot dress sculpture made out of used eggshells. 

for your personal enjoyment …

So on my first day of retreat,  I wondered the magical streets of this medieval town with Michael's story replaying in my head.  Soon my attention was drawn to a discarded museum ticket and this series began.  Below are some more of these collages.  Most are created on 4x6 watercolor paper, though as the series progressed I was just working with my found treasures, creating unique art objects.

peace





There is a vitality in YOU!!! use yours now!!

““There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. ”
— Martha Graham

Happy New Year …

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

As we enter into 2025 many of us have great trepidation. A good way to deal with trepidation or fear is to act and so that is my plan.

I am a firm believer in the power of the energy that you put into the world and so for 2025 I plan to send out into the world ~ wise words from women wonders. I know that we need to add feminine energy and I tend to do this my sharing quotes from/by women.

This idea is not new as most of my work celebrates women. I have shared women quotes on a most of these monthly calendars for the past years. But my intention is share quotes by women much more frequently.

There is much I want to say about this project, and I will share more in future posts.

I am still figuring out the logistics of the how but I know the why!!!

Use your vote for positive change ....

“It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.”
— Coretta Scott King

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

Next Tuesday is Election Day here in the USA. I am embarrassed that this presidential race is in any way, shape or form, a close race. I believe that this election is a contest of basic humanity vs. hatred, divisiveness, vengeance and fear mongering. It is so important that everyone goes to the polls and votes! I am terrified by hearing that many are so frustrated by the political system that they are planning not to vote!!! That decision will hurt everyone! The system might be flawed but it is the system that allows our participation in our government. However if the Republican candidate and his radical right-wing goose steppers succeed, it is safe to say that many freedoms will be lost to those who do not agree with or follow that administration.

I created this month’s collage to represent the beauty of diversity. I believe in the dignity of each individual and would like to live in a country where each citizen is represented and celebrated.

Below is a variation of this month’s collage that you can print and display. Please reach out if you wish it to say, ‘I believe’, or ‘in this house we believe’ or a variation that you wish to display.

Thank you & peace, Virginia

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

welcome October!! so glad you are here ...

t'is the time for crisp fresh air, colorful leaves & some playful spirits ...

for your personal use ~ thank you & peace

“You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and 

a work in progress, simultaneously.” 

 Sophia Bush

 

As we head into September ....

It is better to travel well than to arrive ~ Buddha

feel free to print and use for your personal enjoyment ~ peace

September always makes me think of school - even though I haven’t gone back to school in a long while.

I was that kid that loved school. I loved!!! getting new school supplies - I mean who wouldn’t want new pens and pads of paper?!?? But besides the new supplies I did love being in the classroom - it was an adventure.

I feel like school was a bit like traveling. Though not as exciting as physically traveling, you were expanding your horizons and learning about new places and people and even different languages.

As a parent I tried to instill this idea about school into my girls (sadly, not quite successfully). I tried emphasize the learning and not grades, to help them see the adventure and not the drudgery. I feel every day offers us lessons and new perspectives. So I choose this quote from Buddha for this month, in the hopes that we will remember that we are all on a journey and to enjoy the ride.

Happy learning & peace, Virginia