"PEaCE of ArT a Day " ~ ProJeCt ~ 365 days of peace art

kiss that frog

2011-12-08T12:06:00.001-05:00

kiss that frog
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist

New tar paper piece...the prince goes out for a stroll one day to discover his one true love. Instead he finds a frog perched on a wall with a faint look of lipstick upon it's lips...what will he do? Will he kiss that frog?

2011-08-19T08:19:00.000-04:00

“We do not want riches, we want peace and love” Red Cloud

The peace that love gives us. (:

This piece is done on tar paper, a dear friend of mine gave me the idea to use it, as that is what she paints on as well. I am loving working with it. I am using colored pencils and acrylic paint. This piece is going to my friend Debora, who by the way sets up her work at Jacksons Square in New Orleans. If you every get down that way look for her, her art is very alive with color and spirit!

I will be doing an article on her and her art soon on my blog.

Peace link of the day: Want to give yourself a five minute treat of peace images then check this out! Peace art images in photobucket

Chairs and more..

2011-08-18T23:01:00.000-04:00

My brain has been on a creative frenzy lately. I have more ideas flowing than time to do them all. But some of the things I have cooking in my studio are, a new jewelry line using my ink drawing. They are taking a while to get going because I am teaching myself, with a little help from a friend, to make my drawing into screen prints. Each piece of jewelry I make will be from a hand-pulled print and any color I will be adding my hand as well. Each will be totally unique. Looking forward to sharing them when I get more made.

Another thing I have my hand in is painting a stack of solid oak chairs that I was fortunate to get at a yard sale. I have great plans for each and every one. They have taken on a theme of " musical chairs" , some will even incorporate some piano keys from an old piano.

I have a few other projects I am working on but I will save some of those for another post.

I am working on pieces for 3 show, two are at Tamarack, in Beckley , WV. The other is in Elkins ,WV.

Will share pictures soon!

King of Mystic Hollow

2011-07-13T11:25:00.001-04:00

King of Mystic Hollow
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist

He's the king of Mystic Hollow. He is six and lives in a world he creates happily everyday.
"If you can dream it, you can do it" Disney

The color within us

2011-07-08T20:23:00.001-04:00

The color within us
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist

This much neglected blog is about to get it's energy back. Will start posting soon. I'm redoing my website, opening my online store at Etsy, and just plain creating A Lot again.
Was in a creative slump for a while....but life moves on and I am ready to jump full force back into my right brain and it's thoughts. It's a lot of fun seeing what comes out. Thanks to those that have continued to check in here , I promise it will be packed full of peace , love and enegy next time you stop on back!

Feels Good!

2010-04-12T15:31:00.005-04:00

"loving heart"

3 3/4" x 2 1/2"

Made of scrap wood pieces.

Been working hard this week to prepare for art festival season and Tamaracks' jury session and it feels GREAT! I have creativity glowing about me, and have even developed something new....mini fragments. Those of you familiar with my art, know I call my wood creations, Fragments, because they are made up a different fragments of wood that I find ....as is....and construct them into something, so... then the fragments become whole. I kind of think of life in fragments, each thing we do is but a snippet, that together equals our life.

So let me get away from the philosophy and at back at explaining my new works. They are smaller versions of my large sculptures... and they can be worn...or sat on your desk to keep you company during the day. It's my version of a bib necklace, which is the latest craze .

The one above is my first. I have 23 in my studio , ready for painting.

I'm also working on many larger pieces as well, and have about 20 going right now. I will be posting the finished pieces as they are done in my flickr gallery.

I will probably not be making more of the domino necklaces...so get yours while they last.

Balancing Life

2010-03-27T10:38:00.005-04:00

"Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life.
It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to
serve others by using them."
Thomas Kinkade

Never thought I would quote Thomas Kinkade, but I liked what this quote says. If you can balance your life and all that's in it, kids, spouse, parents, work, church, school, and all the stresses that come daily, then you will have peace, and joy. But the serving part is so important, how you spend you time matters. How you share the gifts that you are given matters. Many people say to me " I have no talent" and I ask them, " Do you cook, bake, sew, etc... eventually they realize they do have a talent. Everyones' talents are different. Share your God given talents as intended and your life will be a lot richer and balanced.

Traveling Art now available online

2010-03-18T09:55:00.005-04:00

Click on photo above to learn more.

Traveling Art Pendants retail for $24

Good morning to you all...a beautiful sunny spring day here after a VERY long winter of snow!
I am creating something new every day now, feels good to get paint on my pants again.
Just wanted to introduce my latest creations ...Traveling Art pendants. My art usually consists of wall paintings, sculptures and such, which stays in your home for you to enjoy. But now I have mobile art.
Now my art has been mobile before in two different tee-shirts that were created with my art, but this is the first that each one is an original work of art.
How are they made?
I primed a piece of canvas, cut a very small piece to the size of a domino then attach the canvas to an old wooden domino. And last , I paint, glaze and then it is ready to be art on the go.
Each is also glazed to protect the painting and make it water resistant, just in case you forget to take it off in the shower, or go swimming. I did shower with one a couple times, and the good news it that it survived. But I would not recommend it.

I am now selling at Artfire.com , after selling at several different online sources through the years I am impressed by what they have to offer there. One plus to the customers is that you can just buy without opening an account like you do on other sites. Makes it easy to purchase. I think it will become the place to buy handmade online very soon!

Newest Project CD art for WV Folk Singer Todd Burge

2010-02-26T15:11:00.008-05:00

You know each year brings new things...and for me usually a list of things...or goals I have for the coming year. Well this year I didn't actually write those goals out as I have in the past, but if I did, doing a CD cover for a musician would have been on the list.
Timing was right a couple weeks ago when I stumbled upon Todd Burge's post on his fan page on facebook about needing cover art. SO...I gave it a shot. He liked the ideas I had and so I got to work.
After reading his lyrics, the ideas just seemed to flow out. After quite a few sketches and paintings, one was chosen. I had a crash course in Photoshop while doing this project. Never have done much there but crop art and photos.
The art is a combination of ink work, a painting and photoshop editing.

The title of the art...as well as Todd's CD is "Distraction Packed".

I have seen Todd play several times at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV. Since I was familar with his music I think it was easy to translate that into a piece of art.

I will be making prints of this image soon and will be posting it to my new artfire storefront, which I am working on filling .

Oh yeah..and can you find the peace sign?

Hillbilly Artist Back at it again (:

2010-02-12T10:59:00.003-05:00

After a really tough year I am painting again. This past year , as you can see in my previous posts , I was spending most of my time with my parents. My mother, Nina passed away on December 21, 2009, after her 10 months journey with brain cancer. I miss her tremendously. It's been hard, but I felt blessed to have those months with her. We had lots of laughs and good times!

On a brighter note, I have joined Artists at Work , a gallery in Elkins , West Virginia, and the new artists reception is tomorrow. Hoping I can make my own reception, as I am snowed in at the moment. May have to walk out, a half mile to my car to get to it. Good thing I have snowshoes, or maybe I will ski out. (:
Anyway, I will be there , and if you are in the neighborhood I hope you can make it too.

Intermountain News Article

Artists at Work will be hosting a special interactive reception featuring its newest artists, Holly Hinkle and Melinda Shafer, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This unique event has been especially created for the community, giving them the chance to learn about diverse visual art forms from professional artists, while enjoying live music and refreshments, a spokesperson said. Hinkle and Shafer are known for their ability to convert ordinary objects into extraordinary works of art.
Hinkle creates funky face sculptures, necklaces and paintings from wood and other objects. Discarded items are transformed into colorful works of art that make your soul smile, the spokesperson said. She refers to her latest creation as "traveling art," miniature paintings done on canvas then attached to old wooden dominoes.
"Bold colors splash forth from Holly's work and are sure to grab your attention," the spokesperson said. Many of Hinkle's pieces include writings such as poems or inspirational sayings.
Shafer is known for her creative sculptural work using polymer clay, one of the hottest arts medium to hit the market in decades. She uses this medium in a variety of innovative ways including sculpting hand-shaped items, creating beads and jewelry and covering items made from materials such as glass, metal and terra cotta. After nearly seven years of exploration, she remains enthusiastic and inspired by the wondrous possibilities inherent in this medium.
The special reception is an opportunity to meet the artists first hand and offers the opportunity to work with an artist. Shafer will offer a demonstration and workshop from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. accompanied by the live music of local favorite Kaleb Karriker. The store will then be filled with the sounds of The Fourth Street String Band beginning at 2 p.m.
Founded more than 20 years ago, Artists at Work features a variety of handcrafted items including baskets, cards, jewelry, quilts, paintings, pottery, photographs, sculpture, stained glass, textiles and so much more. The store specializes in fine art, folk art, handcrafts and gifts.
Artists at Work is located at 329 Davis Ave. in Elkins. For more information, call the store at 304-637-6309

Home Sweet Home

2009-04-29T14:28:00.004-04:00

I am back after being away from home for over two months. The reason for my absence is that my mother was having some problems and I went to Michigan to find out what was going on. It turns out it was a brain tumor, a glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM for short. A few months ago I could not have pronounced glioblastoma multiforme, but now it flows out of my mouth quite fluently, along with prescription names such as decadron, dilantin , temodar, and zofran.
It is the same brian cancer that Ted Kennedy has. Suddenly I have entered the dreaded "C" world. I have been reading numerous books , changed my mothers diet, joined yahoo groups for support and have questioned doctors numerous times already since her Feb. 9th diagnose. If I would have listened to one of them my mother would be very ill right now. I am quickly learning one must be very educated on your illness and fight in order to stay alive. I hate to think that some people have to go it alone when they are ill.
I thank all of those that emailed and sent prayers my mothers way. I truly think they helped because she is doing well despite, surgery to remove the tumor( they took 95% out), chemo wafers being put into her brain, 6 weeks of radiation, and 5 weeks of a chemo treatment of temodar, which thankfully is a pill not a drip medication. She also had 6 weeks of Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, and visits from an RN weekly. The therapy she received in their home...and the women that came where wonderful and very helpful.
She is a brave woman and is taking on this illness with a positive spirit.
I have been home a week and once I get my parents situated, and get acclimated back in my home I will be posted some of my new art. As always my emotions of what is happening in my life shine through, and some of the pieces I have recently done relate to what I have experience in the past few months.
I have only done about 4 paintings since I left, I have had no time, so I think once I start that you should see an explosion on work emerge from me. I have missed my outlet.
Peace ~

WON'T Be BLOGGING FOR A WHILE

2009-02-04T11:49:00.003-05:00

Due to a family emergency I will not be posting my art or blogging for a while. I hope to be back soon. Thank you for following my blog, as soon as I can I will be back posting.
Please say a for my mother who is going through a very difficult time right now. Thank you.

Peace

Fleeing #88 Peace of art a day

2009-01-15T13:40:00.004-05:00

Fleeing

about 8" x 8" on textured wood
acrylic

#88

Civilization is advanced enough to go to the moon, invent the internet, cure diseases....YET we still haven't figured out how to invent PEACE.
Hmmmm.....guess we really aren't that civilized after all.
How would you invent peace?

Love and "untitled" Peace of art a day #86 & #87

2009-01-14T14:54:00.005-05:00

"Love "

acrylic on textured wood

about 8" x 8"

#87

#86

"untitled"

acrylic on textured wood

about 8" x 8"

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself; nothing, but the triumph of principles. "

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."

— Martin Luther King, December 11, 1964

Reach for Light "Peace of art a day" #85

2009-01-12T20:49:00.005-05:00

Reach for light

Mini/aceo art

ink

#85

To read some poetry for peace , check out this site I stumbled upon....peacepoem.net

Peace for Gaza "Peace of Art a Day" Project....Studio's ready and I am back!

2009-01-11T23:08:00.008-05:00

"Peace for Gaza"

#84

acrylic on wood board
This is the first painting done in my new basement studio....which took much longer to get set up than I thought it would~
I knew for days what my first painting would be about...the people of Gaza are suffering and the there have been protests throughout the world, yet Israel continues in their slaughter.
What Israel is doing to the people of Gaza right now is monstrous! And the fact that my country does not stand up to Israel but instead actually supports them in this act of terror sickens me. I just can hope that next week when Obama gets into office as our next President he will speak out for Peace in Gaza. Gaza's population is 50% children...and many innocent citizens many of which are children are being killed.....why? Is this how Israel thinks peace will be reached? I know if someone bombed my community and killed many of our children or my own ...I would just fight more...all they are doing is spreading the hate.
The United States gives billions of dollars of your/our tax dollars to Israel...so in a sense my money/your money bought the weapons that are killing the children of Gaza...how does that make you feel? I feel like giving the tax man the finger and saying "NO MORE" ...I want my taxes to go to good things...how about schools, roads, health care...etc...and for PEACE programs...and humanitarian aid.
How much money does Israel get from the US?

Peaceful Meditation #83 "Peace of Art a day" Project

2009-01-04T21:31:00.004-05:00

"Peaceful Meditaion"

mini.. aceo ink #83
My time is very limited and I would love to have some quiet time to meditate and reflect daily, but it seems I rarely have the time. So this morning, before my son awoke, I took just 10 minutes and I sat and looked out at the mountains....and just relaxed. I am not really sure how to meditate. But my goal first is to just fine the time to just be still and let myself relax .
And you know ....I did have a peaceful day (:

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
Buddha quote

The Peace of Buddha #82 "Peace of Art a day "

2009-01-03T22:00:00.005-05:00

"Peace of Buddha"

mini aceo -ink # 82
I have been learning more about the other religions of the world lately. It amazes me that they teach different languages in High School, Spanish , German, maybe Chinese now -a -days. They also teach....well not much....geography. I can honestly say my knowledge of geography came from my own curiosity and learning . But one thing lacking is the knowledge of religions.

Our country seems to fear children learning about other religions...as though if will have them all running off and joining these other religions. Look at what is happening in the world today, religion plays a huge role in the wars of today as they have throughout history, but what do most people know of these other religions? Not much ....but I for one want to know, what exactly does a Buddhist believe, who was Buddha, How does Judaism differ from Christianity, what does a Hindu believe, What is the religion of Islam and more. This year I am going to learn more about my own faith as a Christian and explore what the other religions of this ever shrinking planet believe. I think in order to have peace in the world we must understand one another, and understanding our basic belief systems based on religion is a good place to start.

I watched an interesting video on YouTube yesterday about Buddhism... Here's the link if you would like to watch it...it's an hour long. It was very interesting, I also ordered a book on bookmooch about the Buddha yesterday.

I did the small paintings above after watching the video. As soon as my studio is done I will be painting again and working on my wood sculpture.

Peace ~

2009-01-02T23:45:00.009-05:00

This is a piece I did a couple of years ago after cutting up all our credit cards...I thought , hey , these are colorful so I made art to remind us of why we cut them up. We were motivated to cut them up and change our spending habits by Dave Ramsey. He offers life-changing financial advice as host of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show, heard by nearly 3 million listeners each week on more than 375 radio stations throughout the United States. The 3-hour live radio talk show focuses on life, love, and relationships, and how they happen to revolve around money.

I thought it was a good time to post this piece of work, since it is the New Year and maybe you have decided that this is the year to get out of debt.

If you are a couple, it is good for both of you to read the book separately and use it as a way to discuss money. Anyone in a relationship or that has ever been knows how sometimes discussing money issues are difficult.

This New Year we celebrated the end of our credit card debt. We just paid off the last of them just days ago! It feels good not to owe any credit card agency...and we never will again! Now we do have some other debt, but now we will be working on them, until all we have is our mortgage.

Now the quotes on my art are:

"Wealth quickly gotten dwindles away, but amassed little by little it grows." Proverbs 13:11

"...the borrower is servant to the lender" Proverbs 22:7

"Possessions gained hastily at the outset, will in the end not be blessed" Proverbs

and " CUt them up and Have PEACE" quote by me.(:

Up at the top on the devil it says..." you have been Pre-Approved!"

The hand in the right hand corner is releasing the Visa..with a bird on it. I theme you will see in a lot of my work...with the message to let it go...and move on.

Money problems as you can see from the quotes are not a new thing...these came from the Bible.

Now many people think, " well I need my credit card, how can I shop online, or while traveling , or for renting a car....etc..." well, if you just get yourself a debit card, you can still do all those things, and you are spending the money you have.... not betting on the fact that you will have money later to pay for it all. It is just like betting in this economy ...when your job might be one that could be cut .

When you don't owe money there is a freedom that comes over you. You have more peace knowing that you aren't working and always getting behind,,,you finally feel like you are in the race and can win.

All we purchased was two of Dave Ramsey's books , but there are other tools he sells as well, but they are not necessary .

Good Luck...hope you find financial peace this year~

The Dave Ramsey Show

Listen to Dave Ramsey on the Radio or your computer

Read his columns

A Happy New Year to you all!

2009-01-01T22:04:00.004-05:00

"I've got Peace on my lips"

5" x 7" charcoal on canvas board

#81

I will be back tomorrow posting art...I have enjoyed my respite from it for a bit. Christmas was wonderful ...I had the most beautiful tree this year, cookies were made, candies, presents and lots of great meals. I think with the peace of art a day I may have to add for my own benefit, exercise daily, after all the sweets and good eats.

I spent yesterday reflecting on the past year, I wrote down in a journal all the good things that happened in my life last year. I then started thinking of the things I would like for this year. Many are personal goals but I can share a few....one is , of course continue on with my "peace " art. ....to be more grateful for the wonderful things in my life....to exercise more (:, .....to cross country ski more ( of course we have to get more snow for this one to happen)..... to organize my home ....and lots more!

My studio is almost finished, we put a coat of paint on the walls tonight....so tomorrow I will be organizing my studio , and should be able to be painting in it by tomorrow evening! I am so much looking forward to having a place for everything.

I hope that this year brings peace to you all in your lives and throughout the world. We that want peace have a lot of work to do in the next year. I am looking forward to working with my fellow Etsy PeaceNiks in getting some things done...(:

I have not Given up....just taking a Holiday Break

2008-12-17T14:37:00.003-05:00

.............I will be back at my "Peace Project " after the 1st of the Year. We are still finishing up the drywall in my new studio basement space...so things are torn up right now.
PLUS...with a four year old....I am trying to make this a very special Christmas for him, been busy getting candies, cookies and packages sent. Putting up our tree tonight and transforming our home into a Christmas Cabin.
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and /or HANUKKAH !

Celebrate Peace "peace of art a day Project"

2008-12-03T21:43:00.003-05:00

Number 80

"Celebrate Peace"

Number 81

"Gotta have it"

Some quotes to think about:

"I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent." -- Mohandas K. Gandhi

"Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime"
Ernest Hemingway

Have a peaceful day!

Candlelight Vigil Mumbia Victims

2008-12-03T00:18:00.005-05:00

Number 79

"Child vigil for Mumbia victims"

This painting was inspired by a photo I saw of children holding a candle light vigil for the victims of the Mumbia attack. How can we have peace when so many still hold enough hate in their hearts that they would plan and act upon such a horrible act?

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. " MLK

I can just hope the the people of India do not respond to this hate with hate.

This small watercolor painting ( 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" ) is up for auction on Ebay. 50% of the sale will go to a peace organization...Operation Shanti

about this nonprofit:
To directly improve the lives of exploited, at-risk, destitute children and the forgotten, suffering elderly, enabling them to become "beacons of light" and share the same gifts of peace, goodwill, and generosity with others for the rest of their lifetimes. We help the poorest and neediest children and elderly, and the forgotten destitute, with the basic human needs: food, shelter, medical services and educational assistance.

See the auction here...starting at $10

Mini Peace Art "Peace of Art a Day "

2008-12-01T23:47:00.012-05:00

"peace in your heart"

number 73

"Jdimytai Damour"

This is the man who died in the name of consumerism at Wal-mart on Black Friday. Unreal...I am still shocked that this happened. Is any THING ....worth a mans life?

""Anything that you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions. We are not free." The Peace Pilgrim

Number 74

"Peace, love and Change"

CLICK TITLE to go to auction for this mini (2 1/2" x 3 1/2" ) painting...starting at $10.....50% of the sale will go to Oxfam America.
Forty percent of the people on our planet now live in poverty, struggling to survive on less than $2 a day. Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization working to change that. Together with individuals and local groups in more than 120 countries, Oxfam saves lives, helps people overcome poverty, and fights for social justice.

number 75

"The boy who cared"

Please take a moment to hear what this sweet child requested as his last wish. He inspired me to contact our local homeless shelter to help.

number 76

number 77

"Peace Eyes"

Number 78

I am in the middle of setting up a real studio for myself in my basement. I have been working for years all over the house, living room, kitchen, dining room table, but since starting the peace of art a day project, I have accumulated a lot of art around my house so ...it's time for a studio. Right now I have moved my painted , wood, etc... to my new space, but there it sits pretty unorganized at the moment, so until I get it all set up and can work again, I will be doing some watercolor art...large and minis, since I can still do those and not make too much of a mess. I have gotten behind too with my art a day, but once I am set up I have no doubt I can make up for it.

If you purchase any of my art through December I will be donating 25% of each sale to our local homeless shelter. Times are tough right now, we all need to reach out and help one another.

All the art posted here today are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" on 110lb paper done in watercolor.

Marcelo Lucero ..."peace art" Number 72

2008-11-25T23:39:00.005-05:00

"Marcelo Lucero"

Marcelo Lucero is shown here in this painting celebrating his birthday...the day we celebrate life. The women behind him celebrate his life in remembrance. He died November 8th at the hands of 7 men who took his life because he was Hispanic.

We need to change...we can not continue to spout out hate, and not see the consequences. Our country has always been made up of immigrants and that is one thing that makes our country so

great is that we are made up of many nations, and races.

To read about what happened in this hateful crime

HOPE "peace of art a day" number 71

2008-11-17T20:12:00.005-05:00

"Hold On to HOPE"

scrap wood free standing sculpture

13" x 5"

Hope: Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

I don't know about you but right now I am holding on tight to hope...hope for my family, friends , and neighbors that things get better for them soon. People in my family have lost a homes , several their jobs, businesses have been lost and yet we are still moving on. We along with many in the nation got behind in our mortgage not long ago...we have caught up now and things are looking better. But I have friends worrying everyday whether or not they will have a job next week or if they will have enough to pay their bills. Is everyone else feeling this?

We need to hang on to hope. Easy to say , but oh so hard to do especially when you are worried about making the mortgage , putting gas in your car or putting food on your table. But we need to try to think positively that things will get better. In the mean time, if you know someone that has lost a job, a house, or a business ...help them out, if you can.

And with the holidays coming, if you can.... drop some food at your local food bank, or toys at your Church or community center. There will probably be a lot less giving this season...since so many have so little to give...but even if it is one thing, a lot of little things add up to one big thing.

Let's just all hold on tight to hope together and try to weather this economic tsunmi that has hit our country.

PeaceNik "Peace of art a day" Project Number 70

2008-11-15T23:56:00.004-05:00

"PeaceNik"

Number 70

size 10" x 5"

made out of scrap wood pieces and vintage sheet music

It says on his left side " we must love one another" on his right side "no wars" and on his hat "peace".

WAll Street Angel ...working overtime! Peace of art a day project Number 69

2008-11-12T23:34:00.011-05:00

If there are angels on Wall Street , this is what I think one would look like right now, with a look on his face that screams "OH SHIT!".

This piece of art is made out of scrap wood, and the face is part of an old noise maker.

Size: 10" x 7"

Wall Street ....we have all been watching hoping for the best. Yet, it keeps getting more gloomy, unemployment is rising , GM is just holding on, the bail out seems like the little boy who puts his finger in the dam to hold back the water. Dams are cracking all over America, can the Government run around "fixing" them? And how long can there temporary fixes hold? This did not happen overnight. But the greed of banks, corporations and those we have voted into power was stronger than their conscience

Hempsted 15 Nick Morgan Peace of Art a day # 68

2008-11-11T22:33:00.007-05:00

"Nick Morgan"

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

watercolor on paper

You probably don't know who Nick Morgan is. He is an Iraq vet. And the wound on his face in my painting is not from the war, but from a peaceful protest of the war, here in the United States. Today is Veterans Day. I respect our vets and wish that our nation did as well. I have family that have served and are serving now. But when many veterans of our current war return home they are not getting the help they need. Many are committing suicide. I heard today the the number is as high as 18 men a day!

Nick Morgan and other Vets that served in Iraq know what's happening and they went to

to protest the war and be heard. What happened as not something you expect here in the United States. The police on horseback trampled the crowd....and arrested 15 people..who are now being called the Hempstead 15, 10 of those 15 are Vets!

There are links to the whole event caught live on youtube...the links are here.

Also on today's Democracy Now talked about what is happening now.

This is a different medium than I usual paint in,,,but I am running out of wood to paint on again, and when that happens I switch gears and find something else to paint on, so today it was watercolor on paper, also making many of my wood fragment sculptures as well, with small scrap wood.

I am behind on my painting a day...I have had a cold...and it wore me down, but never fear , I will catch up soon!! Peace~

Think Peace ...Peace of art a day Project Day 67

2008-11-07T13:42:00.001-05:00

"Think Peace"

24 x 14

Think it, live it, believe in it and it will be.

DONA NOBIS PACEM

2008-11-06T07:32:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful day to write about peace! Peace to me is a world in which all mankind can have hopes and dreams and the opportunity to meet those dreams without unjust obstacles. I have more hope today that my dream will become a reality. The people across our Nation came out in record numbers less than 48 hours ago and voted for change and hope. The feelings I felt the evening of the 4th as they called the election for Obama came to me unexpected. I teared up, I cried with joy. The sense of relief , knowing that change will be coming to our nation ,a nation I think has been going the wrong direction for the last eight years. Good changes. I also felt an overwhelming sense of healing for a nation torn apart for years over racial issues , now all people of color in the United States can stand up more proud than ever and say they can be anything they want to be! This means a lot to me, as I have worried about my adopted son , who has dark skin, I have worried about the discrimination that may face him once he is older. But today I have so much more hope that those days are ending. That we can all live in harmony with each other , and not judge one another by the color of their skin and do as Martin Luther King dreamt " I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" . I think he would be very happy today. Because that part of his dream just came true.

Today I join in with many across the nation and world to blog about peace as part of the blogblast for peace...Peace Globe Project.
The Peace Globe project began in the fall of 2006 with a simple post from one blog, Mimi Writes. The post ignited a flame in the blogosphere. The flame became a passion. The passion became a movement. It amazingly traveled from blog to blog to blog across the globe. Bloggers wrote passionate articles on what peace means to them, along with the promise of three Latin words scribbled on a globe - Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) - branded with the integrity of their names or blog names. It was positively inspiring to watch. And it began to happen all over the world - from Singapore to China to Afghanistan to Brooklyn.
It was simple. And powerful.

Come Together Peace of Art a day Project Day # 66

2008-11-05T21:44:00.007-05:00

"Come Together"

24 x 14

close up

on wood board -recycled

It's time to unite! To come together and WORK together to make the United States a country to be proud of again. We have been the model for many Nations throught out the world for a long time ,,,,but we lost that somewhere along the way. It's time we move forward , work together side by side, Caucasians, African -Americans, Hispanics- Americans, Asians, Middle Easterns, and everyone else...you get the idea. It doesn't matter your background , where you came from, what matters is where we are going! We woke Wednesday to a new nation, one that chose to move forward and vote for the best canidate for the job of President . Obama is hope.

What a happy day for our nation! I know there are many that didn't vote for Obama, but as McCain said last night we must come together as a nation now. I am glad to be a part of this change!

Democracy and self portrait "peace of art a day" project Day #64 and # 65

2008-11-04T08:56:00.006-05:00

Close up
"DEMOCRACY"
24" x 14"
acrylic on recycled wood board

#64
Ok!!! Today is the day...I hope everyone is getting out and voting today. I hope the lines are short and if not the weather is nice. I hate to tell you about the short wait I will have, as I have none. I will drive a short 5 minutes from my house, walk in the door and sometimes they are even getting the paperwork ready for you before you walk in , because someone recognizes you before you come in. Then I will be handed my paperwork, walk to the booth, and vote. No lines at all! I wish it were so everywhere. Maybe we should all work on voter reforms for the next election.
I hope who you voted for wins this evening , and if not, then get involved and make sure that your congressmen represents you and what people in your state want. We need to get stronger than the lobbists and the corporations!

"Contemplating Life" (self - portrait)

17" x 14"

on wood

I love to sit on a stump in my front yard...which is in the woods, and take in the beauty that surrounds me. The other day I sat there and within just minutes watched a grey squirrel scampering close , and a grouse fluttered just a few feet from where I was sitting. As the leaves fall , it changes our view here, the mountains come into view again, the river down below us gets louder, and you can again see for miles.

This is painting number 65...only 300 more to go~

Peace Pilgrim Peace Hero Doll "Peace of art a day" project Day # 63

2008-10-29T17:08:00.003-04:00

"Peace Pilgrim"

Peace Hero Doll

Who is the Peace Pilgrim? She was a modern day St . Francis. She vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." She walked over 25,000 miles on her peace journey that started in 1953 and ended 28 years later.

To learn more about this amazing woman you can read on online book or request a hardcopy . It is her life and work in her own words.

Dalai Lama "Peace of Art a day" Project Day # 62

2008-10-29T16:01:00.005-04:00

"Dalai Lama"

Peace Hero Doll

The purpose of life

"ONE GREAT QUESTION underlies our experience, whether we think about it consciously or not: What is the purpose of life? I have considered this question and would like to share my thoughts in the hope that they may be of direct, practical benefit to those who read them.
I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affect this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don�t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness. ..... read the rest of this speech here Compassion and the Individual

Justice For Troy Davis "Peace of Art a Day" Project Day 61

2008-10-26T02:38:00.003-04:00

"Justice?"

24" x 16"

acrylic on wood

Who is Troy Davis??? Please go to Amnesty USA to read about him.

I will post my thoughts on this tomorrow , as it is getting quite late...and I think I am too tired to write coherently .

Peace Purse Peace of art a day Project DAy #60

2008-10-25T23:26:00.003-04:00

This was a fun project...I am new to sewing....never have been good at it. Well, actually I still am not, but I like to create so I stumble along and just stop when it looks good enough for me...(:

This is my first attempt at a purse. Funny thing is that I don't normally even carry a purse , but I think I may start, since this one at least carry's a message as well!

St. Francis of Assisi 'Peace Hero' doll...peace of art a day DAY # 59

2008-10-23T23:00:00.004-04:00

Close up of St. Francis Peace hero...

Day number 59.... "St. Francis" peace hero doll

about 10"x 4"

the back side is recycled material

I must admit I love St. Francis. I read more about him today...he was born to a wealthy merchant and was expected to be a merchant as well. He was for a time, a merchant, traveled to France often,,, and love to drink and live it up . He had a calling from God and left behind his money, partying, family and lived the life of poverty . Of course this is the very short bio of his life , if you want a much more eloquently written and more informative bio of his life check this site.

Mother Teresa Peace Hero Doll Day # 58

2008-10-22T23:05:00.005-04:00

"Mother Teresa"

Day #58

about 10" x 5"

acrylic on canvas, sewn to old fabric ,,,and this one is yet to be stuffed...don't have anything to stuff her with yet.

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love"

To read more about Mother Teresa and read more of her thoughts...

Mother Teresa quotes

More Quotes

Mother Teresa's official Site

!SMILE!

JFK Peace Hero Doll ~ Peace of art a day DAY # 57

2008-10-21T23:53:00.004-04:00

"JFK" Peace Hero Doll

about 10" x 5"

Day #57

acrylic on canvas sewn to canvas,,,

on his back it says:

" Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable"

JFK

There has been some things happening in our country lately,,,that have been receiving very little main stream press. People protesting the war in Iraq peacefully , being arrested, and trampled by police horses,,,and to top it off, those arrested and trampled were Iraq Veterns. It saddens me to hear of these things.

If you had not heard of this please watch this....the incident happened on the campus where the last debate was held.

The conversation just keeps getting better on my couch! Now we have J.F. Kennedy, A Monk, Gandhi, and Jesus....hmmmm , who will join them next? Have a suggestion, just leave me a comment, and I will see what I can do (:

The Beckoning of Lovely

2008-10-21T11:02:00.005-04:00

One of my new found internet friends sent me something lovely a couple of weeks ago. It was a short video on YouTube....called the Beckoning of Lovely. Amy Rosental of Chicago started this wonderful project that you just must see to appreciate.

After watching the video I then went to Amy's website and read further whoisamy.wordpress.com is to spread the word about the Beckoning of Lovely everywhere I can.
Do you do something lovely? Do you make music, art, plays, cupcakes, laughs, friends...do you do something that makes an impact on someone elses life? Then share it with the Beckoning of Lovely Project....check out her website to learn more. Once at her page scroll down to the bottom to learn more about submitting your lovely...at this time there is no deadline set.

Make the most of your time here!

Peace Hero doll ~ Monk ~ Peace of art a day ...day # 56

2008-10-20T23:43:00.005-04:00

"Little Monk"

painted face, vintage sheet music on body , it's back side is vintage 60's fabric.

about 10" tall and 5 " wide

Day #56

"In this heavenly zone may the people of this planet awake."

Monk Prayer

New site to check out......... The Vision of Global Peace Pagoda

Peace Hero Dolls "Peace of Art a Day" Project Day # 54 and #55

2008-10-19T23:35:00.009-04:00

Gandhi and Jesus hanging out on my couch! I would love to hear the conversation! Stay tuned Gandhi will be finished later this afternoon~

1st art doll

'Peace Heroes'

"Jesus "

10" x 5"

day # 54

Gandhi is Day #55

Is painted on canvas then handsewn in multible colors to old 60's era material, is stuffed with recycled tee shirts .

He can hang out on your shelf, couch, or on a freshly made bed...to remind you everyday of his peaceful ways. (:

Got this idea a few weeks ago when I blogged about the awful "Peacekeepers" military dolls with the rifles in their hands. I thought " I need to make a doll for peace" . So here is my first attempt. It is my first in what I think I will call my "Peace Heroes" series. I think "Gandhi" will be sewn with a sewing machine...even though I am quite handicapped when it comes to useing it. I will post him later when he gets sewn up.

Peace~

Open your Mind & Dare to Dream "Peace of art a day " Project DAY # 53 and Namaste # 52

2008-10-17T23:38:00.010-04:00

"Namaste"

6" x 2"

acrylic on found driftwood, on wood

Day #52

Within the last year someone typed namaste in closing an email to me and I had to look it up, I was not aware of it's meaning. It means ....I respect that divinity within you that is also within me. To learn more of it's meaning see here.

"Open your Mind and Dare to Dream"

9 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 2 3/4 " deep

acrylic, and hand formed pottery face in antique red box

Day #53

If we dream these are the things that can happen:

justice prevails

cooperation between countries

live in harmony with the earth

the word hate does not exist

human rights for all

love

world freedom

diseases are cured

humanity is saved

coesistence

the end of poverty

no one is hungry

education for all

world peace

The quotes on either side say :

"first keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others" thomas a kempis

"peace can not be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding"

emerson

Obama "Peace of art a day" Project DAY # 51

2008-10-16T00:29:00.007-04:00

"Obama"

9" x 12"

oil pastels on water color paper

Day 51

After watching the last debate this evening I felt compelled to do Obama's portrait. I feel he is the best canidate for our next President. I have come to this decision from watching all the debates and reading numerous articles online about both candidates. I feel he is the best choice for me, and our country. I know that many feel differently and I respect your decision as well. I hope though that everyone is educated as much as possible about who you are voting for , prior to voting. Don't just trust one source , read many sources!

I feel our country needs new leadership in a very bad way....I actually pity whoever gets elected , the mess they have to clean up in Washington is huge. I just worry that McCain's policies are just way too similar to what we have now. And what we have now , is NOT working.

Here's some facts on both candidates... here

Type in Presidential facts in your search engine and see where both stand on the key issues .

And most importantly get out and VOTE!

Peace!

A little Peace Dude Scrap wood Art "Peace of art a day Project" Day # 50

2008-10-14T23:40:00.006-04:00

day 50

"A Little Peace Dude"

14" x 7" x 3"

wire, acrylic , scrap wood

A quote to think about today:

"It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe it.

And it isn't enough to to believe in it, one must work for it. "

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Hope you all had a peace filled day!

Think and VOTE Peace of art a day Project Day 49

2008-10-13T23:53:00.005-04:00

"How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think" Adolf Hitler

An old piece I did , revisted and altered....

8" x 6 "

day 49

watercolor, acrylic , and ink on watercolor paper in old frame

You might be saying....how does this represent peace? Well, think about it...when we the people don't think, don't vote, don't care, don't act...what can happen? Hilter knows. In order to keep the peace , we must be know what is going on in the world, our country and our communities. And when we disagree with what we see going on we must 'think, vote, care and act', to not do so could mean the end of peace.

So educate yourself...on current events....don't trust just one source, watch or read many, so that you can know enough to form your own opinion. Keep informed and

please get out and VOTE next month. Remind everyone you know to do so too!

Peace ~

Ten Things that Give me Peace! Peace of Art a Day Project # 39-48

2008-10-12T22:55:00.016-04:00

1 ) Peace is free food! # 39

2)Peace is knowing my family will be warm this winter. #40

3) Making Peace signs in the grass. #41

4)He brings great peace> #42

5) Walking through the woods today....and wow, every once in a while I would look down to see one like this just radiant with color! #43

6)The fall colors.... need I say more. # 44

7) My home gives me peace....~ #45

8)My Chickens give me peace...watching them is a joy! # 46

9) I think Daisies are simple beauty at it's best! #47

10)Picking up leaves with my youngest and making peace signs #48

My heart is in the right place but some days...I am beat and it is difficult to get one creation in each day...the weekends have been the hardest to keep up with as I spend that time with my family. So todays post will catch me up with my creation of one piece of art a day for peace.

Today I went outside armed with my camera to create ten beautiful photographs ...with a goal of 1. catching up on my days 2. capturing ten things that give me peace ....

When we are at peace we can share it with others...that is how I believe peace is spread. Let's hope we all catch it !

PeaceNik "Peace of art a day" Project Day # 38

2008-10-12T01:09:00.003-04:00

"PeaceNik"

16' X 24"

For NUMEROUS sites pertaining to PEACE

Check out PEACENIK.ORG

St. Francis of Assisi For Peace ~ Peace of art a day ~Day # 37

2008-10-09T23:35:00.005-04:00

" St. Francis of Peace"

14" x 24"

On wood board...vintage sheet music

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardo
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master, grant that I may not
So much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
In pardoning that we are pardoned,
And in dying that we are born to eternal life.

To learn more about this peaceful saint and join Franciscan Monks in peace check out Justice , Peace and the integrity of creation here

Warmth of the Sun "Peace of art a day" Day # 36

2008-10-08T13:03:00.005-04:00

" We all awaken to the warmth of the same sun"

14" x 15"

acrylic on scrap wood pieces on wood board

Everyday in the media we hear troubling news...be it the fall of Wall Street, the war in Iraq , Dar fur's suffering , the plight of the poor, the struggle of war torn nations to find peace ...I could go on and on. We think that's terrible and go about our day, never really seeing a connection to what is going on unless it directly affects us. But there is a connection , many in fact, but the one I am stressing in today's painting is that we all wake up under the same sun, we all share the warmth and the light from it's brightness. It's something we all have in common. It's just one way we can see our common bond...there are many more. If you tried to think of the other things we have in common, I bet you would be surprised . Maybe if we thought that way, if we looked at what we share , we could start to see all of us as human , as real , as worth thinking about, worth doing something about. Maybe then we won't just say , how awful when we hear something bad in the news, but instead we might say...."What can I do to help or change that?"
It may be something simple like writing a poem about it to bring others attention to it, or writing an article, or starting a movement, or reaching out by sending money, or maybe just taking the time to say a prayer. Reaching out to help our fellow human beings is one of the first steps we must take towards peace.

Letting GO For Peace

2008-10-07T01:23:00.005-04:00

"Let it go for Peace"

14 x 20 on scrap wood pieces...the bird is made of glass I found on a mountain top, it was old glass with a texture.

If you hang on to anger, disappointment, resentment, hate, what ifs, hurt feelings etc... then it can keep peace from your soul. This painting is about letting it all go. Release it and allow positive energy to flow~ It's about forgiving and moving on , could we forgive on a national level?

I am going to throw this out there...may shock some of you, but this is a big 'what if'. What if: After that terrible day of 9/11 , we as a nation , everyone, the ones that lost loved ones, to our nations' leaders....what if we forgave the men who attacked out nation? What if President Bush and our congress got together with the people of New York City, sent a collective "WE FORGIVE YOU " to the people that struck terror on us? What would have happened? Would that have caused people to looked upon our great country differently? Could we have change the world?

I always say the best way to teach my child is to lead by example, if I have someone do something bad to me, do I want him to see me seek revenge...or to forgive.

I recently read an article about some people affected by 9/11 that went to Afganistan after we attacked them as a cultural exchange...a peace mission to show we are all human. If I find it I will post a link...could find it just now. They did just that , they forgave.

Ok...think I gave you all enough to think about today~ Peace~

PeaceKeepers ~~~ Day # 33 and 34

2008-10-05T18:04:00.004-04:00

"PeaceKeepers?"

day 33

16" x 24"

acrylic on wood board

This piece was in response to something I saw the other day in a store. I saw some military dolls, dressed in black with guns in hand sold as toys for children....the name given to these toys "the peacekeepers". I was appalled! The peacekeepers.....men with guns! Does this seems to contradict the word peace to you?

Is peace that is kept only by the presence of armed men truly peace?

It is scary that this is being marketed to children, so that they will play with and dream of being peacekeepers someday. I know that it is really no different than what boys have been playing with for years....but what is different is the name given to them. Military men use to be just that , the army, navy and marines, not peacekeepers. I am not against the police as this may suggest, but I am against the military or the blackwater force policing citizens. Which apparently is what is coming....check out this article in Armytimes and if how they intend on helping us citizens is how the police 'helped' during the Republican National Convention, I think we can do without them. I didn't think we were in such a bad way here at home

that we need our own military to 'help us" .

Day 34 below :

"PeaceKeepers"

day 34

16" x 24"

(Gandhi, Jesus, and Martin Luther King )

When I think of peace keepers , I think of people of peace. These are the souls I think of along with many others, those who taught non-violence. These are the men I hope my sons honor and aspire to be like.

Unite "PEace of art a day" Project... day number 32

2008-10-01T15:30:00.004-04:00

"Unite"

16" x 24"

acrylic on wood board

Just think if we could all unite. If peace was in everybodys heart,,,just think of the posibilities.

Here is a site I found called United for peace.

"Friendship is the only cure for hatred, the only guarantee of peace." Buddha

2008-10-01T00:42:00.002-04:00

"Where's the Justice?'

16" x 24"

acrylic on wood board

Where's the justice when someone loses their home to the bank and the fat cats get bailed out?

Henry David Thoreau said

"If the machine of government is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law. "

If my money goes to these banks on Wallstreet that have caused such destruction to many families throughout the United States, then I feel like Thoreau did when he chose not to pay his taxes because it was going to war. I am tired of the misuse of my tax dollars.

Where is the justice , the help for those truely suffering, those that have lost thier homes?

Here's a very long but very interesting video you may enjoy called the Money Masters...How international Bankers Gained control of America. I must warn you it's long, I still haven't finished the whole thing, but it is eyeopening.

Thinking about Peace , and smile Peace of Art a day Project day 29 & 30

2008-09-28T09:57:00.006-04:00

"Smiles bring Peace"
acrylic on wood board
quote by Mother Teresa
day 30

" Thinking about Peace"

acrylic on wood board

day 29

Yesterday I set up a table to sell my art locally. I want to thank all those who stopped by to chat, comment and purchase my art. I saw old friends, and met new ones,,,it is a wonderful day full of conversation about politics , peace, skiing, old times, goats, and more! I met two wonderful people that are making a difference in thier community by reaching out through art. I will be blogging about their story here soon.

I also spoke with a young woman , a high school student, that is already at her young age, working toward making a difference. She started a club at her school that's focus is on educating eachother on current events. She is on her way to being a great leader in whatever community is lucky enough to have her after she graduates from college.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Peace

Simplicity ...Painting on recycled wood Hillbilly artist Peace Painting a day # 28

2008-09-25T15:26:00.003-04:00

14 x 19

on wood board

"simplicity, simplicity, simplicity" thoreau

acrylic , sheet music

Our neighbor is having his forest lumbered...so I have been for a week hearing huge crashes in the woods, as trees older than me fall to the earth. It made me sad. I walked over today to see , but not to close, and watched one before my eyes come crashing down. I felt sorry for the tree. I know it's good to clear a woods , makes it healthier in the long run, but the other part of me saw it for the living thing that is was. I don't feel this way about my vegetables when I pick them , and they were living too. I think the difference is that those trees grew and stood tall and straight through many seasons, snow storms, rains , hails, wind and have survived...then one person with an axe and all those years are gone. I am sure it will go to good use, and be used to build a home for a family somewhere and will still stand for many more years , but just in a different form. (:

Peace

Finding your CEnter "Peace of Art a day " Project day # 27

2008-09-24T10:27:00.006-04:00

"CENTERING"

it says..." life is about finding your center...finding your soul. it's the key."

size : 16" x 24"

acrylic on recycled wood board...with old key in center

listed here

ABOUT THE PIECE

I am learning to throw clay and work on a potters wheel. Last night after making several bowls ...I'm good at the bowl shape . I was driving home and was thinking how relaxed it made me. Then I thought about how you must be centered to enjoy the process of making a bowl. The last time I went to class I couldn't get centered....so I didn't create anything beautiful that night. Maybe it's like life they more centered you are the more beauty you can create around you , you become more at peace.

Happy Centering!

Peace is Patriotic "Peace of Art a day" # 25, and 26 Mini art card aceo

2008-09-22T23:57:00.003-04:00

I know it't a lousy photo...will try another tomorrow...

" Peaceful evening"

Little monk out for a stroll under the stars.

This piece is a wee tiny one...only 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches on 110lb paper

they are called aceo...or art trading card

This is # 25

"Peace is Patriotic" (sold)

Another mini art aceo...

acrylic , ink and vintage sheet music

I get tired of people and the media that portay people that want peace as unpatriotic. Just because you prefer to live in a world free of viloence...how does that make one unpatriotic? What does it mean to be patriotic...well I looked it up...the definition is this: 1 : inspired by patriotism 2 : befitting or characteristic of a pariot .

Ok , so then I looked up patriotism...is said: (wiki definition)

"Patriotism is commonly defined as love of and/or devotion to one's country. The word comes from the Latin patria, and Greek patris, πατρίς.[1] However, "patriotism," or the love of one's country, has come to have different meanings over time. Thus, the meaning of patriotism can be highly dependent upon context, geography and philosophy.
Although patriotism is presently used in certain vernaculars as a synonym for nationalism, nationalism is not considered an inherent part of patriotism.[2][3] Among the ancient Greeks, patriotism is comprised of notions concerning language, religious traditions, ethics, law and devotion to the common good, rather than pure identification with a nation-state.[4] [5] Scholar J. Peter Euben writes that for the Greek philosopher Socrates, "patriotism does not require one to agree with everything that his country does and would actually promote analytical questioning in a quest to make the country the best it possibly can be."[6]
During the 18th century Age of Enlightenment, the notion of patriotism continues to be separate from the notion of nationalism. Instead, patriotism is defined as devotion to humanity and beneficence.[7] For example, providing charity, criticizing slavery, and denouncing excessive penal laws is considered patriotic. [8] In both ancient and modern visions of patriotism, individual responsibility to fellow citizens is an inherent component of patriotism.
Many contemporary notions of patriotism are influenced by 19th century ideas about nationalism. During the 19th century, "being patriotic" becomes increasingly conflated with nationalism, and even jingoism.[9] However, some notions of contemporary patriotism reject nationalism in favor of a more classic version of the idea of patriotism which includes social responsibility.

I love my country I just want peace....I think that is being VERY Patriotic!!!

Hope you all had a very happy Monday..

Jesus, Flowers, and Monks for Peace...."Peace of art a day" Project # 22, 23, 24

2008-09-21T09:40:00.009-04:00

"Thinking"

# 22 Peace of art a day

9 x 12

oil pastel , ink on watercolor paper

This monk and his red bird have been thinking hard about things of the world lately. He is puzzled that one of the men running for President may have some memory issues...or just doesn't know where Spain is. He is contemplating running for President himself after all he is very smart, he watched Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader and did very well! He even knows where Spain is!

Power of a Flower

#23 Peace of art a day

acrylic on wood board

14in x 9 in

SOLD

" As one flower brings beauty to a field...one person can bring change to the world"

He wanted Peace

#24 Peace of art a day

acrylic on wood board...with nail holes.

10 1/2 in x 10 in

I have debated this with others before... I feel Christ's message to the world was one of Peace....some argue that he said to take up the sword, and take it literally. I stand with my belief that he was a peaceful man. After all think about it, when the gaurds came to take him away , did he fight , did he resist, no he went peacefully.

Got a bit behind in posted my art the last few days....had a special birthday here for my son this week, so I was pretty busy.

PEACE

International Day of Peace Campaign ~ Sept. 21st Send your message to world leaders!

2008-09-18T09:33:00.004-04:00

This Sunday , Sept. 21st, is International Day of Peace. If you want to do something quick and easy that can make a difference today....please go to this site and send your message of peace to the world leaders that will be meeting at the annual opening of the General Assembly on 23 September 2008. The message you send will be presented to the Assembly. I sent mine this morning. Here is the site , Peaceday2008

"On 21 September, the International Day of Peace, I call on world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all. "— UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Obama meets the monks to discuss peace # 21 Peace of art a day project

2008-09-17T23:58:00.004-04:00

Obama meets the little monks to discuss peace

9 x 12

acrylic paint, ink, vintage sheet music

on aches watercolor paper

Written very small behind Obama and the monks is the first part of his speech about race.

PEace!

Love is all we Need ~ # 20 PEACE Art Project

2008-09-17T11:16:00.003-04:00

9 x 12

"Love is all You Need"

SOLD

ink , vintage sheet music, on arches watercolor paper

I just typed in 'love is all you need ' in my search engine (ixquick) , and was happy to find another site devoted to peace. It has a list of ten things you can do to make this a better world.

I like most of what is on the list...the one I am not sure of is Code Pink. I don't believe in their methods of getting their point across. One of the group made it on to the floor at the RNC and interupted John McCains speech. I think by doing things like that they just appear like a bunch of crazy people. While I may not agree with what McCain and the Republican party stands for , he and his party do have the right to assembly. The people outside had a right to assembly too...I know, and their rights where stomped on by the nazi like police force there, but does that mean we stoop to that level? Don't we need to act civilized when what we are trying to do is to get people to act civilized?

Here is the site address, Love is all you need...can you do any of these this week? I think I will write to my congressman, you can do it online as well, and ask once again that we don't start a war with Iran.

Peace

Red Bird sings for peace # 19 Peace of art a day

2008-09-16T18:02:00.007-04:00

"Peace, Peace"

acrylic on wood board

16" x 24"

SOLD

Little blue monk looks up to the sky and sees a red bird, and instead of "tweet . tweet" he hears the soft sounds of "peace, peace".

Found another website about peace ... Culture of Peace . org

Each time I find a website that promotes peace I will be adding it to my blog under " Spreading Peace" ,,,,please take time to check them out. Maybe you can find something you can do to promote peace there. (:

Sing OUt LouD " PEace of Art a Day" Project # 17 and #18

2008-09-14T14:03:00.010-04:00

"Sing out Loud"

acrylic on wood board

about 11" x 14"

Number 18

"Peace is in your heart"

acrylic on wood board

about 12" x 14"

Number 17 in my peace art project

(both of these pieces will be in my store gallery on Monday)

I found a new online magazine...haven't had a lot a time to browse through it yet, but it looks good, and it's all about peace.

"Journalists, educators, and activists keep up to date on the important work of peacemaking by reading this popular and respected magazine. Four times a year we publish articles, news stories, book and film reviews, letters, and a Peace Crossword. We discuss disarmament; conflict resolution; nonviolent sanctions; peace institutions (e.g. the United Nations and the World Court); conflicts and crises around the world; profiles of activists and researchers; and controversies about development, population, and environmental protection.
Our stories are technically accurate, yet intelligible to any reader with a general education and some interest in international affairs and global security.
Peace Magazine is published by Canadian Disarmament Information Service (CANDIS) -- a nonprofit organization. We rely heavily on volunteers, including our associate editors who select and commission articles for each issue"....... from Peacemagazine.org

Unite for Peace , Ban War ~ #16

2008-09-13T00:43:00.006-04:00

"Unite for Peace, Ban War"

24" x 16"

acrylic on scrap wood board

SOLD

If we all come together and use our hearts....we could unite for peace , and pass laws banning war. (:

Peace~ Have a great weekend will post what I paint over the weekend on Monday.

Keep it Free --Peace of art a day Painting #15

2008-09-12T00:50:00.006-04:00

"Bring me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe FREE!"

Title : Keep it Free

acrylic paint, watercolor pencil...a bit different for me , experimenting a bit.

Size: 8" x 4" on wood, was a box top

SOLD

"The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame."Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries sheWith silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Liberty and peace go hand and hand , I don't think you can have one without the other. People have been fleeing to the USA for a very long time in order to have freedom from oppresion. I pray that that continues , and that our country will always remain a free one. One that we are free to speech our minds, free to assemble, free to believe what we want , and free to practice the religion we choose. Some of these freedoms are being challenged in the name of protecting us . The terrorists of 9/11 did way more damage than they could ever imagined to our freedoms.

I hope that our country stands strong like Ms. Liberty does in the harbor and can overcome some of these changes soon , so our freedoms can continue to be enjoyed and the terrorists don't win.

Pinwheels For Peace ~ International Day of Peace Sept. 20

2008-09-11T10:36:00.003-04:00

This morning my son and I enjoyed a peaceful time together as we created Pinwheels for Peace. He is now joyfully running around the room as his pinwheel spins round and round. We will be participating in an art installation project on International Day of Peace by placing our pinwheels for peace along with many others in a public location. This will be going on throught the US and I belive internationally as well. It was begun in 2005 by two art teachers in Florida. They started with 500,000 pinwheels the first year and last year over 1.2 million were placed .
The teachers encouraged their students to write how they felt about peace , be it world peace, or peace within their own lives on the pinwheels. This morning as I constructed my own I wrote out the dreams I have about peace on the back. Pleace check out the official site here at Pinwheels for Peace.

If you do not know how to make a pinwheel , don't worry , I didn't either until this morning. It is incredibly easy.And it does not have to be prefect. You can write what you envision for world peace , paint, color, draw, or decorate it anyway you choose. The complete directions to make a pinwheel are on the site as well as the locations of each event. I hope you can find one near you and participate, maybe they can grow it to 2 million pinwheels for peace this year!

Make Friends Not Enemies "Peace of Art a Day " Project ~ Day 14

2008-09-10T17:49:00.005-04:00

"Make Friends, Not Enemies"

" The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend" A. Lincoln

This sculpture can sit on a shelf , table or mantle or can be hung up as wall art. Size: 14 " long and 8" at it's tallest and is 1 1/2" thick

It is constructed of scrap wood pieces.

Read an interesting little story about Lincoln told by Leo Tolstoy

Iron Eyes Cody for Peace ..."PEACE of art a day" Project ~ day 13

2008-09-09T22:54:00.005-04:00

Iron Eyes Cody was the "Crying Indian " in a public service commercial on the 2nd Earth day in 1971. In the commercial he said "People start pollution; People can stop it", and as he said it a single tear ran down his face. The ad was a part of Keep America Beautiful , which is still quite active.

My piece today is "Iron Eyes Cody for Peace". How about "People start War; People can stop it" . Just think how effective a public service ad would be with a child saying that, as a single tear runs down their cheek. I don't know about you , but I would probraly have tears running down mine.

Quote of the day:

The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war. ~Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

" Peace Baby" Peace of Art a day Project by Hillbilly artist DAY 12

2008-09-08T18:56:00.005-04:00

Several years ago I went to an auction and inside a box I won , was this doll. I think they use to give them away at carnivals , hence I think it's a carnival cupid doll. I transformed her into a ' Cupid for Peace 'doll...I had fun funking her up. And just in case you were wondering she is not Nixons offspring ...you older folks will know what I mean. lol

Cupid plays a big role in peace, because you have to have love to have peace. When hate is present in your heart... you can't have true peace.

I wish I could send "Peace Baby " around the USA right now, to all the Democrats and Republicans as things get heated up across the nation. We need to unite for change, but instead we continue to divide. Even our own President helps to divide us , I was upset at something he said in his speech at the RNC last week.

He said " Fellow citizens, if the Hanoi Hilton could not break John McCain's resolve to do what is best for his country, you can be sure the angry left never will."

A lot of people are angry Dear President , the left , the right and the in between , people have lost homes, people can barely afford groceries after they pay outrageous gas prices to get to work , people have no health care coverage...the cost is too much for most families( and it is no longer part of the package with a job, as it use to be), people want the war over in Iraq and no war in Iran, people don't want their sons and daughters dieing in foreign lands over oil, people are angry Dear President.....your American people. Whether they are right leaning, left leaning or whatever, they are your constituents, whether they voted for you or not. We need a country united for the good of the country , not just a few. I just pray that whoever wins the election next time will understand that.

A Peaceful Man - " Peace of Art a Day " ink drawing

2008-09-08T08:13:00.007-04:00

"A Peaceful Man"

This is a piece that has taken me weeks...well, over a month to complete. It is in memory of a friend, one that left our world for a better place in this summer. I think I had a hard time completing it since everytime I worked on it , it just reminded me that " The Bucketman" was gone. Even though we never physically met, I considered Danny a friend. We met a few years ago on an internet site where we shared our art. He inspired me and encouraged me to be a better artist. His kindness came through this box on my desk through his emails to me. His soul shone through...it's amazing how you can make friends on here , not ever meet them but consider them a good friend. I have a back scratcher he made for me, and I will treasure it always. This piece will be framed and hung right next to it to remind me of his spirit. The last thing he said to me was "Time to get back to painting" . I didn't create a lot last year and he knew how much it bothered me.

I have had Danny Hoskinson's website link here for over a year...and will leave it up...please take a moment and check it out. Danny Hoskinson, aka The Bucketman, made unique art using old plastic buckets that he would melt down into sculptures, masks, lamps, backscratchers, knives, and more. You can read more and see is creations here.

High on Hope "Peace of Art a Day" Project day 11

2008-09-08T08:06:00.003-04:00

"High on Hope"
9" x12"
Ink drawing on arches watercolor paper
. See here

//// Wiki definition....Hope : Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance — i.e., believing that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary. [1]
Beyond the basic definition, usage of the term hope follows some basic patterns which distinguish its usage from related terms:
To wish for something with the expectation of the wish being fulfilled. [2]
Hopefulness is somewhat different from optimism in that hope is an emotional state, whereas optimism is a conclusion reached through a deliberate thought pattern that leads to a positive attitude.

MoMs For Peace "Peace of Art a Day " Project by Holly Hinkle day 10

2008-09-05T14:50:00.007-04:00

Today's Peace art is for the mom's out there that want peace. As a mom, I never ever want to see my son fighting a war. I taught my son to fight with words and not to use violence to settle things. I didn't raise him that way to then later, as he is an adult to say, ok, now go kill people.

Wouldn't it be great if ALL the mom's in the nation would gather and protest all at once. That would be a lot of moms!!

Here's a couple links I found today that are moms for peace.

Soccer moms for peace

Momsforpeace.org

Peaceformoms

PeaceMom the book

Make sure you get out and make your voice heard....VOTE!

Peace Begins with a Smile ...day #9 "Peace of Art a Day" Project

2008-09-04T08:25:00.009-04:00

( sold)

Throughout time there has been hate ..there has been wars and there has been peace. I think all would agreed which of those we all prefer...I will take the peace anyday! Wouldn't it be nice to have it all the time. Is that possible? Being an idealist and an optimist , I like to think that yes it can. Just as John Lennon believed , so do I.
How then can we achieve such a huge undertaking as world peace? Well I think first it starts within ourselves individually. You must have peace with yourself in order to share it with another. Mother Teresa understood this when she said "Peace begins with a smile". Think about it, when you smile , a genuine smile ,it is contagious. A smile brings love into the air, it makes others smile too and makes you happy.
Just imagine men in different uniforms smiling at one another, seeing eachother as human beings , not as the enemy. Imagine world leaders all meeting and going to a Comedy club and laughing together, again sharing thier humaness. Imagine, poor people picnicing with the rich , and how they may find they have things in common. These are but a few of the groups of people that often are on opposite fences yelling at the other...throwing blame.

Focusing too much on what is wrong with the world and doing nothing can just grow anger in your heart, it doesn't accomplish anything. So what do we do? Start at home and let it grow. You will find it isn't easy to make peace with someone that you ,for whatever reason do not like. Try...try to find the good in that person, you may have to look really deep (lol) but it's in there. And when you do, smile. Smile at them next time you see them. They will either think you are crazy or they may smile back and a truce will be made.
So this week we can start by smiling for world peace, because a smile is contagious and could spread much further than you can know.

"PEACE of Art a Day" Project ~ day # 8 RNC Protests against the War

2008-09-03T09:42:00.017-04:00

"A Boy Named Keith"
24" x 16"
acrylic on wood

I am wondering if it were 1967...or any time during the sixties, if people were being beaten by police, tear gassed, and shot at with rubber bullets for being involved in a peaceful march, would it be top headline in the news? I have been watching the events at the RNC and the DNC from news groups online , but not the mainstream media. I have to find alternative news, like Democracy Now, YouTube,and linkedin, in order to get a better idea of what the hell's going on.

I know that even then I don't get the whole picture or the whole story, but I see enough that I can use my own judgement and form my own opinion, especially if I am seeing just raw footage, of which there is plenty of spectator videos on Youtube.

I know too that there is a group called the anarchists ( you would think they would have chosen a better name) that are causing trouble. The mainstream media seems to be talking about them a lot, making you believe that all the police action is due only to this. From what I have gathered, and there is stuff I am sure I have missed, they have broken some windows downtown St. Paul, rolled over some trash cans, and some I have heard have hit police from behind and ran off. Not that I condone any of what they have done , because I don't but it seems to me to be pretty juvenile things. Hell, more is done in Morgantown , WV after a football game, not the breaking of windows, but they do burn couches , more has been done after major league games are won throughout the country, I remeber years ago when Detroit Tigers won the penant, cars were even overturned. That is what I think of when I think of people rioting. I didn't see any of that in any of the videos I watched on Youtube. What I saw more was the perplexed look on peoples faces as the "men in black" ,the police ,ran at them with tear gas, telling them to move and many had nowhere to move, because the police would corner them in. I also saw on the videos, people already down on the ground, being held down by more than one officer, and then they sprayed OC spray directly into their faces. I would like to know...what did all those people do to get that treatment?
When I was a kid, just 12 years old I was with a friend that started throwing rocks at a movie sign, putting holes into it. I threw a couple toward it, but missed ...on purpose, wanting to appear cool, but not really wanting to get in trouble. Well, we did get in trouble, and where taken to a police station ...it was pretty frightening. What if instead, they just held me down and sprayed me with tear gas, after all I was there when it happened. It seems like that is the mentality of the police, if one person does something in the crowd , then they must all be guilty. It seems the same military order is being used in Iraq. When they are fired upon they just open up on the crowd, even if the crowd consists of innocent women and children. My source for this is also a YouTube video of a Iraq vet talking about the atrocities of the war. He said it was a standard order to shoot and kill everyone, if a shot came from a crowd.

Last night I came across an article about a boy, seventeen years old, that attended the peace march yesterday. His name is Keith, he sat down in front of the "men in black" , and shook some bells. Bells of peace , I guess. Anyway, I had seen him in a video earlier that day. The article stated that later that day , he was beaten by five policemen. They even ripped off his shirt during the assault , and then covered his bruised and bloodied body with a "Remember 911 " shirt, how ironic.
To read the full article on Keith go here.
and here My artwork today was inspired by Keith's story.

Another acrocity that happened was an attack on our 1st amendment, not just freedom of speech, but freedom of press. Several journalists, and photographers were attacked, thrown to the ground, handcuffed and arrested. What was their crime??? Reporting and recording what was happening, that is all!
Please take the time to go here and watch what Amy Goodman, of Democracy Now reported...she too was one of the people arrested. Here is her and others stories...

I guess freedom of speech and press will live on but now with it we must also have a fear , fear of the police , whose purpose should be to protect not intimidate.

PEACE of Art a Day Project #7... Hillbilly Artist

2008-09-02T01:25:00.008-04:00

"We need to be the change...seek justice for all mankind, be the voice for those who can't speak...our

children!"

original aceo, which is an art trading card that measures 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

archival ink on heavy paper

This weekend was a busy one so I missed posting here over the holiday weekend , but will be caught up tomorrow. What I wrote on the aceo I feel strongly about , it's what really got me into wanting to make changes in our nation. I want something better for my children. I want a land of justice for them.

I watched some things this evening on the internet that happened at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in the past couple of days that have me concerned about freedom of speech and our freedom of assembly. I will post a couple links , I'm too tired to write much about it tonight, but I will be doing a painting concerning it tomorrow and blogging about it.

I learned about these events from my cousin who was there for the Veterans for Peace Convention, and then looked on the internet to learn more. The police were conducting preemptive raids on homes where peace protesters were staying. Below is just one of the Youtube videos I found( go to Youtube...search "RNC raids" for more

TODAYS QUOTE

If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations, There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors, There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart.

-- Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.)

PEace Flower Power " PEACE of Art a Day" Project DAy #6

2008-08-30T20:16:00.002-04:00

"Flower Power"

16 1/2" x 2 1/2" on wood shingle

Day #6 "Peace of Art a Day"

The Power of Flowers

Flowers have often been used as a symbol of peace, love, and friendship. They are given to make peace....husbands and wives can relate to that , I'm sure. Flowers represent beauty, and when you present something so beautiful to another... you bring joy.

Yesterday I was blessed to have a beautiful bouquet of flowers presented to me by my 4 year old. They consisted of two daises , my favorite, some queen Anne's lace and something he called a cattail, it did look like a miniature one. My heart opened when he so cheerfully, and full of love and pride handed me that bouquet.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just reach out like that with something beautiful to each person in our lives, in our communities, our states, nation and worldwide. Peace has to start by making peace around you. You can't think about peace in the world , yet not live it in your daily lives. Maybe you don't get along with a co-worker, an in-law, your brother , sister, spouse, or a neighbor. Could you make peace with them? Could a symbolic flower be given and patch up a relationship?

Not to long ago I had a dream, a very vivid one. When I woke I thought...oh...it's so simple. "If you hate, you make more hate, if you are angry , it make more anger, if you are sad, it makes more sadness....those energies you put out expand. So why not try to be happy, and make happiness, be peaceful and help expand peace, be loving and grow love in the world. "

Can you do something this week to make peace?

Henry David Thoreau #5 PEACE of Art a DAy Project

2008-08-29T11:52:00.005-04:00

Thoreau #5
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

"Thoreau"
5" x 7" oil pastel/acrylic paint
on canvas panel

Today's "peace " painting is of Henry David Thoreau. People may ask , "what does he have to do with peace, after all wasn't he the guy that live as a hermit in the woods". Well yes, that is the Thoreau most of us know about but there was the Thoreau that wrote "Civil Disobedience " as well.
He thought we should be true to ourselves and our own moral ideals of right and wrong, and that we should uphold those morals even if it meant going against laws that were unjust.

Some of my favorite quotes of his are below.

"Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around."

"It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? "

and

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours"

Today my blog enter is short the sun is out here and my garden calls for my attention. Beans and blackberries are on the harvest list today.

Have a great day!

Martin Luther King #4 PEACE of Art a Day Project

2008-08-28T11:17:00.005-04:00

Martin Luther King Jr.
5" x 7" oil pastel/acrylic on canvas panel
$50
click painting to go to my store

Here is number four in my peace project. Since I started this "peace" journey from reading about three men, Thoreau , Gandhi and King, I think it only appropriate that I start by doing paintings of them, tomorrow will be of Thoreau.
I found a quote by MLK this morning that I think is a very good one for the times we are living in, or any time really.
"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. "Martin Luther King, Jr.
So much money has been going over seas and less to our own citizens. The cost so far is over 549,000,000,000.....that's $4861 per family, $1721 per person, $341.4 MILLION per day! Here's a site to learn more http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home .
Just think if that money went to health care for everyone! I am one of the many in our country without healthcare, as are both of my sons. We make too much for any assistance, but too little to afford the extra $500 a month to cover just my youngest and myself...and I have no health issues ( thank God) , am a non-smoker...and my son has no issues either. We are lucky we are healthy. But how nice it would be to have it . I know I really worry about my sons getting hurt or sick .
I don't think that government health care is the cure either( it would cause too much red tape and the care would go down) ... I don't have any answer there. I think maybe if the government would make the pharms and the insurance companies charge REASONABLE prices then that would do it. But the greed of both and their political pull in Washington must be stopped. That will take politicians that give a dam about real people, politician that KNOW how many homes they own. Politicians that will actually represent what "we the people" need and want. I hope we see some real change soon.

Just wanted to add a note...I rarely watch tv and had just turned it on to see that today was the day that MLK made his famous " I have a Dream" speech...I had no idea . It's pretty cool that I painted his portrait last night. Here is a link to his amazing speech. http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

Peace!

Mahtama Gandhi #3 Peace of Art a Day Project

2008-08-26T16:06:00.012-04:00

Mahatma Gandhi

oil pastels. and acrylic paint

5" x 7" on canvas board
ttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=14649914

I really recently just had the pleasure of discovering a book which introduced me to Gandhi. I am now reading a biography of his life, "The Life of Mathatma Gandhi" by Louis Fischer. I just started it last night.

If you are not familar with Gandhi, and I most admit I was not a month ago, you should be. I think mainly to understand his position on non-violent revolts. WHy? Well, you may someday need to change something...whether it be something small that is unjust in your community or something larger in your state...or maybe something huge in your nation.

While in jail, Gandhi's first visit of many, he read Thoreaus' "Civil Disobedience" . It had a huge impact on him and influenced his movement. Thoreau wrote "The only obligation which I have the right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.... " he insisted that to be right was more honorable than to be law-abiding. He went to jail for not paying his taxes because he did not believe in what his government was spending his money on...which at the time in 1849 was slavery and the invasion of Mexico. How many of us against the war in Iraq would have the courage to do this now? I am sure not many.
Gandhi coined the term satyagraha to signify his theory and practice of non-violent resistance.
I could go on an on, but I think I will do another in his honor later after I finish the book. If you really want to know more about him, it would be best to check out the links below.
Here are some links to learn more about Gandhi
http://www.mkgandhi.org/
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/Gandhi/gandhi.html

Peace!

"Peaceful Eyes" Peace of Art Daily by the Hillbilly Artist

2008-08-26T12:16:00.004-04:00

#2 Peaceful Eyes

9"x 12" ink on watercolor paper

$45

Day two of my "Peace Project" .

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14624995

Todays work is "Peaceful Eyes" , they say that your eyes are the window to your soul... wouldn't it be nice if we all had peaceful eyes and our souls could live together in peace.

I would like to bring some attention today to a group I am a member of on Flickr ( an online photo warehouse) it is One Million Peace Signs. If you have any photos to contribute join the group and share them. Here's a link http://www.flickr.com/groups/onemillionpeacesigns/

It's a great way to see what others are doing for peace, often it is updated with peaceful protest photos from around the world.

Till tomorrow..Peace!

A PEACE of Art a Day #1

2008-08-25T10:31:00.007-04:00

Love in your Heart Grows Peace
9" x 12"
ink on watercolor paper
$ 60
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14589592
Starting today , I am going to produce a piece of art a day for PEACE. I just finished a book about Thoreau, Gandhi and King, and it has motivated me to try to do something for peace.
I am not sure what I hope to accomplish with this project other than to in my own small way to get the word PEACE flowing out there again, in a world that despartely needs to be thinking about it.
I will be blogging about peace with each piece of art I do, and adding links to sites that promote peace and good works. So maybe I can reach others to do one small thing for peace at day.

Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. -- Buddha (560-483 B.C.)

First batch wild blackberry jelly

2008-08-22T23:34:00.003-04:00

First batch wild blackberry jelly
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

I have been picking for weeks, I have made juice, and froze berries...but tonight I finally attempted my first batch of wild berry jelly. It looks like jelly, it tastes like jelly,,,yes! I think it is Jelly!

Yesterday I put up green beans, zuchini, berries, and made 4 quarts of refrigerator dill garlic pickles. How wonderful it will be this winter when the wind is howling through our chinked walls,,,to be able to huddle under a warm blanket sipping tea and eatting warm toast with jelly made here on our farm.

There is a lot of work and time that went into each jar....hours of picking, wearing long pants and shirt of course to protect from the vines. I have never seen as many berries as we have had and still do this year. The old timers are saying it means a cold long winter, well if it does , I will be prepared with my pickles, jellies, frozen zuchini to make zuchini bread, green beans, squash, and more.
With each bite of the harvest that I will eat this coming winter, I will taste a bit of summer.

I must get off here now , I have a painting swimming around in my head , and I must go paint!
Peace

We Can Change the World

2008-08-15T10:15:00.006-04:00

sold ^
Change the world
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

This painting I did a year ago and found this wonderful quote by Gandhi and incorporate it . " In a Gentle Way you Can shake The world."
I must confess that while I loved the quote that I knew very little about the great man behind it. I am reading a book right now that jumped out at me at our local library. It's called ' The Peaceable Revolution" by Betty Schechter.
.
It's about the lives of Henry David Thoreau , Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Now , I do know a lot about King, but the book is interesting because it was written in 1963, during the Civil Rights movement.
If you have only a general knowledge of these men and are curious to learn more this is a great introductory book on all three. I however was left wanting to know more so I ordered 'Walden and Civil Disobedience'........ by Thoreau and have " Gandhi-His life and message to the world by Louis Fischer on it's way as well.

Thoreau in Civil Disobedience said " The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right" also " Unjust laws exist : shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we trangress them at once? .....his answer was to " break the law".

Gandhi then used Thoreaus ideas put forth in Civil Disobedience , to help change South Africa and India, and free them from British rule. I think these methods need to be employed again, in our country. I am not sure how, but we need change. I think our country is heading in a bad direction. I just pray we get our current administration out before they do much more damage to our country.

By the way, if you have never used bookmooch.com I would highly reccomend it. That is how I got both books. It is simple to use, all you do it add books you want to get rid of, and then mooch the ones you want after you get points, it's all explained on the site. Since our closest book store of any size is over 50 miles away, it's a god send.

This Mornings Harvest

2008-08-07T12:05:00.004-04:00

this morning pickins
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

This is just a little of what's to come. Everything is growing rapidly now, so the next couple of weeks I will be busy, canning pickles...aren't those little cucumbers cute? And will be freezing zucchini to make zucchini bread, yummy!

I love to spend time in our garden,,,and especially when it's harvest time. There is nothing better than to sit down to a meal and eat what you had a part in growing. I also feel so blessed to have some a wonderful garden, it makes me appreciate food so much more.

Last night I picked about a half quart of blackberries too...I felt so thankful that God planted those in my yard for me. My own mini garden of Eden.

I am going to plant more peas, don't know if it's to late,,,,but I love them so I am going to try.
Not sure it I am canning or freezing the beans though. But I will have more than I can pick within two weeks.

The weeds are taking a toil on the garden ,,,but I battled with them a bit this morning. I think they are still winning though...back at it tomorrow or this evening I guess.

I had a set back with my battle with the weeds this morning though, I was moving some poles that my husband put in the ground to help keep the peas up off of the ground, when I all of a sudden felt like I had picked up a catus. Turned out that the poles were fiber glass and my hands and arms are full of the glass.
I ran inside got on the internet for some remedy...what did we all do without the net? Anyway, duct tape was the recommend cure। So I sat out on the back porch with duct tape stuck to me for a while,,,,it worked some but it still stings।

Off to hang out the clothes...

Peace

Random acts of Kindness in West Virginia

2008-08-06T21:26:00.002-04:00

eat drink be happy
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

I had an incredible thing happen today. I ran out of the house quickly , late as usual, and forgot my drivers liscense.
We live quite a distance from the town we shop at and I was there before I realized I didn't have it.
Well I thought I will shop anyway, because I am not really asked for it much around here. I had a cart full of various things at Big Lots and when I wrote my check , I heard her ask for my drivers liscense. Well they were nice about it but I couldn't buy anything, I asked that they hold what I had and I would drive home.
I decided to look one more time in the car, I was happy to find a driving citation of some sort from two years ago .....and on it was my drivers liscence number!!! The day was saved.
Well as I got out of the car to go back into the store and get my things, a woman approached me asking if I found my number, I told her I had. She said she was going to offer to pay for me and have me write a check to her. I was floored. How kind to offer that to a perfect stranger. I told her thank you so much that I really appreciate that she offered that and told her she is an angel.
Just her offering that to me made me smile.

Eat , Drink and Be Happy

Now on Etsy.com

the waltz of the wood sprite

2008-08-05T10:13:00.003-04:00

DSC01485
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.
This piece is SOLD, will be on it's way to Ann Arbor , Mich. soon

The creative juices are flowing again!! Had a bit of a block ...well for almost the past year. I think though that now that we are settled back into our lives I am more able to focus and let the good energy flow into my art.

This guy here is a dancing wood sprite, complete with a fork and spoon arms, and vintage sheet music, of which the title is " waltz of the forest sprite"

I will have him listed on Etsy.com in my store sometime this afternoon. That is my only online store I am now using.

I am selling also at several galleries. I will post where those are tomorrow.

I am not doing any shows this years unless they are practically in my back yard. With gas prices what they are now, I just can't afford to travel long distances.

Peace

SING OUT LOUD by Holly Hinkle

2008-01-30T11:16:00.003-05:00

sing out loud
Originally uploaded by Hillbilly Artist.

This piece is at the Mountainmade.com Brick and mortar store in Thomas , WV. If interested , you would need to contact the gallery. Thanks ...a link to their online store is posted on the right, under "cool links".

Todays creation....I am back to creating daily. My move threw me off of my creative journey...but I'm back!
This piece's title is "sing out loud"
Size: 10" x 6 1/2"

It is one of my wood wall sculptures...again made of scrap wood, and vintage sheet music. It is full of texture,,,I am using an additive that gives the acrylics an oil like shine and texture.

I am a person with NO musical talent at all or singing talent either! But I do enjoy music and always wished I could play something. So instead I paint to show my appreciation for music and it's impact on me.

And if you like what you see, stop back often , I will be bloging daily for now on.

Peace ... have a joyful day!

Taking me Higher

2008-01-29T19:01:00.002-05:00

Originally uploaded by Holly Hinkle.

Every listen to music and have it take you away? THis musical man was so taken by the music he flowed high up to the stars out of our universe.

THis piece is acrylic on plywood. Size: 14" x 12"
This piece is currently at the MountainMade Gallery Country Store, if interested in purchasing you would need to contact the gallery, thank you. http://www.mountainmade.com

God's Symphony

2008-01-27T21:51:00.001-05:00

God's Symphony
Originally uploaded by Holly Hinkle.

This piece I just finished and listed tonight on Yessy.com .

It is acrylic on wood, osb, I think. I incorporated into it vintage sheet music.

It's size is 27" x 13 1/2"

The words say... " LISTEN TO NATURE AND YOU WILL HEAR..GOD'S SYMPHONY"
God speaks to us in so many ways,,,and when we are silent sometimes it's much better to hear him. I love to listen to nature, and hear the wind, birds, rain, etc... each one has its own rhythm , it's own music, and together it become a symphony!

http://www.yessy.com/hillbillyartist/gallery.html?i=313

Grow WIngs

2008-01-25T11:57:00.001-05:00

Grow WIngs
Originally uploaded by Holly Hinkle.

I painted this one last night .... it says....

"Be kind and loving and you will grow wings."

it's 10 1/2" by 5" on a thin wood cedar board

New Dreams

2008-01-14T11:43:00.001-05:00

an amazing sky
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

Well...new dreams are coming my way! My family and I have had a new change for the new year, a new residence for most of the year. Above is my new inspiration, a beautiful sunset near our home.
I have had a creative and spiritual slump since moving here, not sure why, maybe just trying to adjust to our new life. I have felt somewhat disconnected to everything, like I am moving along each day but it's not really my life. Ever feel that way?
But last week after some soul searching I decided to make a dream board, on it I pasted things I am searching for , not just material things, things like working on my spirit were high on the list. Since putting in down on my board I started seeing it working in my life almost immediately. I went to a local thrift shop ( I love thrift shops) and I found a book , acutally I think I should say it found me.....it was " The Power Behind Positive Thinking" -Unlocking Your Spiritual Potential. I really needed this book last week. I brought it home and read it cover to cover.
Some of my favorite quotes I found in the book are as follows...
"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." Dr. Peale from the Power of Positive THinking.

ANother is : " You have two choices when you get up in the morning... You can either choose to focus on all the negatives and what did and could go wrong and watch that all come true OR you can focus on all the positives and possibilities and work to make them come true." ....

I try to always focus on the positive, one way to do this is to keep a gratitude journal...I have been doing this for about 6 months or so. I am not always good about writing in it, but I do it as much as I can. I also traded some art a few months ago for some gratitude beads, as you run the beads through your fingers you say or think of something you are grateful for. It can be something huge or as small as ....I am grateful for the smell of coffee...what ever makes you happy , you can be thankful for. My three year old even gets in on the thankfulness, he picks up my beads and says things like he is grateful for Coco( his teddy) , soccer, cookies...etc..

Another quote I need last week was:
" We often can't choose the situations but we can ALWAYS choose our response."

I am feeling more like me again after reading and reflecting and I have started another book ... and I went to church this weekend.
Another thing I liked in this book is that he talked about the difference between spirituality and religion.
He said spirituality concerns matters of the spirit, of our search for truth and God. Whereas, religion is any person-made system that defines a particular method of conducting that search, so religion is the how we practice or participate in our spirituality.

Well, you can look for some new art from me this week, I am feeling better, refreshed in my soul. Guess , my cup needed filling :)

Peace and Love

New Art ....Check it out!

2007-11-14T14:29:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

Hi all,
Been on the road a bunch for the last 6 weeks....just getting settled into my new life down south.....Florida ,,,,so far everyday I wake up to another beautiful day!
Here's one of my newest pieces....I will be posted my new work on Flickr for all to see, but will not be listing any on Etsy until about the 5th of December. I have am taking my art to the GOODFOlK Fest in Louisville, KY for there Dec. 1 and 2nd show.

Will be posting more here soon, after Thankgiving...

Have a great Thanksgiving all.... remember to be grateful for all that God has given you....

Peace
Hillbilly

Times are a Changing

2007-10-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted much lately.... Lifes a changing again....as it always does. Round and round I go where I stop? Florida...
My family and I are spending some time in Michigan , helping family with some things, then later this month we are heading south...way south to the Everglades.
My family is setting up a business down there and we are helping , so we will be there for now on for the tourist season Nov...through May or so, then we will spend the rest of the year in the solitude of our mountains.
I don't have much of a studio at the moment, but I'm trying to make due,,,,will be posting some new art soon.

peace and love
Hillbilly

Got my Eye on you political art by Holly Hinkle

2007-08-25T11:13:00.001-04:00

Got my Eye on you
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

This one i did after reading about the new 'national id' that will supposedly be require as of May 08. Each person will need it ....many believe it is our Gov't's way of keeping tabs on us, and that a computer chip will be in it to do so..... Big brother is getting closer everyday. I wrote on his face...one nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all....

Wind Polka mixed media wall sculpture by the Hillbilly artist

2007-08-23T07:50:00.001-04:00

Wind Polka
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

My first attempt at adding collage pieces to my wood sculpture....

Title "Wind Polka"

Size 24" tall by 14 " from hand to hand.

Swing your partner, round and round.............(:

Cross

2007-08-21T09:02:00.001-04:00

Cross
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

One of my newest crosses...

Augusta Festival art Show Elkins, WV

2007-08-14T16:21:00.001-04:00

Augusta Festival show
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

Last Saturday, Aug, 11th,,,,,enjoyed a wonderful day in the park in Elkins, WV. I would like to thank all those that stopped by my booth to chat, buy and just hang out for a while. It was a great day, and success show for me. I will be back next year, see you all then!

Be Grateful Cross made out of Scrap wood

2007-08-08T12:18:00.001-04:00

Be Grateful Cross
Originally uploaded by hillbilly artist.

Remember to be Grateful everyday for all you have!