Mean Muse Studio
  • Home
  • Paintings
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • Jewelry
  • Sculpture & Assemblage
  • Artist CV
  • Contact
  • Art Classes
  • TRIO PROJECT
  • UMAR Lincolnton Arts Center
  • Gallery 27
  • Blog

Advocate

5/23/2021

 
“Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
~Mr. Spock (The Wrath of Khan 1982)

There have been so many quotes that have resonated with me, but this one seemed to sum up everything that was wrong in the world while simultaneously giving me a blueprint for how to make the world a better place.

Most of my professional life, I have been an advocate for one cause or another. While working for the City of Rock Hill, I was a member of a volunteer force holding monthly recycling collections in an effort to convince city leaders that a recycling program was viable. As the manager of a community arts center, I spent many hours working to raise awareness of the importance of access to the arts for children in rural areas. All of these issues were important but they were seldom personal. I was just someone in a position to draw attention to a need and I did. In fact, I advocated so well for all these causes, while working and raising a family, that I forgot to advocate for myself and eventually hit the proverbial brick wall.

It took three years of therapy, but I finally understood that the reason Mr. Spock’s words hit me so strongly was because he sacrificed his life so other may live. Self sacrifice was not necessary for me to be an effective advocate, quite the opposite in fact, and it was time to refill the well that I had allowed to run dry. So I withdrew what I had in my retirement account, rented studio space, and began the journey back to me.

Now, nearly ten years later, I am at peace with the fact that I don’t have to lead the demonstration to be an advocate. I currently teach art to adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for UMAR, a charity that provides both residential services and day activity services for these individuals in Western North Carolina. While I still attend the occasional protest march and send financial support to organizations that promote social justice, I find that my most effective advocacy occurs when one of our participants has a break through moment and succeeds where they didn’t think they could. Advocacy can take place in small ways, one individual at a time, and becoming an advocate for my own well being has made me a much better advocate for others.
Picture

Grace

5/23/2021

 
Grace is a knowing whose source is mutable and ever moving.
I know, because I know, because I know.

Grace is a gift. One that can be both given and received in a simple act of kindness. Grace expands all around us the moment we tap into it.

Grace can be felt through meditation, stillness and quiet.
Grace can be experienced in the throws of ecstatic movement, swirling and giving control of your body to the forces of nature.

Grace is found in the deep breath you take right before you plunge head on into something that is going to test you. It is found in the doing of hard things and trusting you will come out better on the other side.

Grace will find you in the depth of darkness at the bottom of a well of despair. It’s what stops you from jumping off the ledge. Grace whispers in your ear, “it’s time to relinquish control and just let it be.”

Grace is undefinable, ever ready and infinite.
I know, because I know, because I know.
Picture

Earth

5/23/2021

 
It’s not uncommon to be asked, especially in the South when being introduced to new people, “What church do you attend?” When you reply that you do not attend church one of two things typically happen. You are either politely smiled at and then invited to attend the inquirer’s church or, you are asked if you’re a Christian. The first is an easy out, simply smile and say thank you. The latter can get dicey, especially if you do not follow typical Judeo-Christian practices. I always hope they just invite me to church.

For the record, I was raised in the Protestant church; first the Southern Baptist then later the Methodist church. Looking back as an adult, I understand now why I never really felt comfortable in church. But as a child, I thought I was somehow defective because I physically felt the hypocrisy and questioned it. We were taught in Sunday School that Jesus’ message was one of love and caring, but the words coming from the minister seemed angry and hateful, or worse filled with utterly unattainable goals of perfection. In retrospect, while I didn’t realize it at that time, I had found my church. Outside, among nature. When walking in the woods or sitting by a creek listening to birdsong, God seemed possible and I felt at peace.

Now, when asked if I’m a Christian, I simply smile and say, “of a sort.” To explain my earth based spiritual practice usually results in more probing question followed by people trying to affix a label to my spirituality so they can put me in a box and move on, or pass judgement on my choices. I’m not hiding my practice. I’m ever so happy to talk to anyone who is sincerely interested in learning about the old ways, but my spirituality doesn’t require that I proselytize. The forces of nature are God and should be respected. This blue orb we inhabit is the manifestation of God’s love and we have been set here to learn. Now more than ever, we must be good stewards of what we’ve been gifted. The Earth doesn’t need us. We need it.
Picture

Holy

5/23/2021

 
Holy, for a small word, is a very vast notion. It encompasses so much of what we as humans use to describe that which has as many definitions as there are stars in the heavens above. While religion may try to con scribe holy to a specific set of conditions, in the end I believe what is holy is personal, and small like the word itself. For me, Holy is the split second of recognition of the divine in another being. A glimpse of the spark that connects all life, the purity of creation itself. I see it most often in the eyes of my dogs. Unconditional, unrestrained, unequivocal love, given without expectation of its return.
Picture

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    May 2021

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.