Metamorphosis of Painting-B

My painting took another shower yesterday. Is it done?? 

Absolutely!!

Transform your Collection Today!!

Metamorphosis is for sale

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 36" x 40" Depth 2 3/4

Price $4000

The Ocean brings me such Clarity!!

After the strong wind and rains of last night, the morning was clear and beautiful I went on my daily bike ride on the ocean bike path to Venice"zoom." Part of my practice is to walk to the beach to sit and to be present.
Today was extraordinary~ the dolphins were maybe twenty feet from shore. And they were surfing in the waves and jumping in the air. The really cool thing is as I sat down to ground~ I thought to myself were are those dolphins. When opened my eyes ahhhh...hah...
The imagery of the playful ones is still so fresh in my mind. great day... In the evening I had to go out and photograph the magnificence of the Ocean i.e.Mama!!

Life Stories

Powerful image!
This is on going series of video interviews that I did with the children I work with at LCC. I have competed ten students. The project was stopped as our video camera was stolen by one of the kids. I hope to continue this project. We need to source up a video camera. ASAP

Engaging Children with Art-Radio Interview

DON'T MISS "Social Studies" on BlogTalkRadio! Special guests are Lisa Rasmussen and Heidi Peden, who will discuss their experiences working with children, the impact of art on children's lives, the importance of art in education, and techniques and tips for engaging children in art that goes beyond the Refrigerator!


Engaging Children with Art

Thanks E Marie for the interview!

Need to really digest this.....

Lisa:

I am truly amazed at what you have accomplished and the level to which you
have taken our art program. I get a big smile every time I see an email,
knowing that you are once again doing great things for our kids. It is truly
transformative in their lives, and in ours.

Thank you,

Chris
Christine Stoner-Mertz, CEO

And thank you for being the source of its creation!

Chris
Christine Stoner-Mertz, CEO

Looking forward to it Lisa - thanks! And thanks again for your
responsiveness in helping brighten up our hallway. I really appreciate it...

Chris
Christine Stoner-Mertz, CEO

______________________________________________
"my experience of creating with these extraordinary children, two of my core
beliefs about art have been affirmed. Art is intrinsic to the nurturance of
the human spirit and art’s true essence is transformative.”
Lisa
ArtTeacher at LCC

______________________________________________________________
Lisa,
Again thank you this is wonderful for our students!!!! It just keeps getting
better and better.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME...... not just the art but our children's comment's .... simply amazing!
val
______
Lisa

I am so excited about this! Thanks for doing this!
Vinya S.V.

Self Acceptance..Inner Value

While camping on the Big Sur River I created this Tree Shrine. In honor of the magnificent redwood trees that graced this space.


These photos are a peek...into my experience.

This work is really about the conversation between the internal and the external. I am trying to practice the refinement of the internal which will create a radiance in the external. A very Buddhist philosophy. The story will follow.










After creating this random poem came into my mind....
River of Souls
dancing in the eternal existence
reaching, being, believing
external reward is only there with Internal acceptance..

#5 Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series

"happiness is not all, people have a responsibility."
幸福不是一切，人還有責任 translation, A comment left on my Blog from someone in China.




"Can you please take our picture with us and Gwen, the old Dog." two old men having coffee with an old dog in the lake merrit area. It is always such a surprise when folks ask me something on the street.
they thanked me and I had to run....


Time Pics of Pollen Tree Shrine,five days after with my cat Paulo.

So Be It! We all Should Really Love Pollen.

3/26/10
Stream of consciousness...
Today on my walking meditation to the "rock" and the "rose garden" I had an amazing revelation. Over the past couple months, this walk is were I have been gathering my quotes from strangers in my collecting random interactions series. Today was a little different. As I climbed to the top of the rock, the trees that surround this area really grabbed my attention. It seemed like they were whispering to me. It was a transcendent experience.

This is what came into my thoughts-- As I am really focusing on my personal healing of my negative habits, thought patterns, anxiety, fear, and unrealised trauma....

Through my personal journey of self acceptance--of procuring my inner value--
I will be able to maximize my potential as a human being. Through my own self acceptance/inner value I will be able to SERVE the world more and to reach higher realms of consciousness. This will give me the energy and radiance to change this physical realm--to help heal and save Mama Earth and the animals. And to stop Abuse of all kinds. In this I will reach my potential--opening up unlimited reservoirs of abundance and well being. To myself and the universe. This journey will be told through my cat character Kitty Bliss*
Today I know that Self acceptance/ Inner value is the ultimate form of ART!


What a productive day! Also, today as I walked out my door I was so inspired by the light and the abundance of the beautiful green/yellow tree pollen on the ground. Which most people hate because it causes allergies. What is tree pollen? It is the male cell of a plant needed for fertilization of the female cell and production of new trees. This cell is encapsulated by a very tough membrane to help insure that it will reach its target in tact. It is generally 2 to 100 microns in size making it quite a bit smaller than the head of a pin. Produced in staggering amounts a spoonful can include hundreds if not thousands of grains. Pollen is like the paint,which the artist uses to create a new canvas! It is the elemental in the continuation of life on this planet!
I with a sense of fever created this tree shrine in my garden. Crazy I am---reverence to the trees and pollen.

I love it! This the documentation makes me really reflect.It almost feels like the tree shrine was a marker of my experience. Which I think all of my art is.

This is what I learned Today I know that Self acceptance/ Inner value is the ultimate form of ART! I might forget this tomorrow,but today I knew it!

Entry 3# Random Relationships!

Part of my collecting series.



"When you get old you cannot become a sissy."

Sweet elder
Walkshop Berkeley, 3/20/10





The pictures are of Dusty Dog. My landlords elderly dog (I think she was over 14 years old when I met her) she hung out with me every day and night until she passed on. We were definitely mates. Our relationship latest from 2003-2009. Miss her! I have always had such strong relationships with non humans. Above the quote is from a lady, who has frequented the Walkshop were I shelp shoes. She is so sweet and for me her energy has brought up the nostalgia of my relationship with Dusty. Tears have become to flow as I reflect on Dusty. The troubling part was as Dusty aged she was becoming paralyzed and I would find her in this decayed state in the garden and many times I would craddle her and bring her up to my landlords place. Decay is sad thing....







Growing old is not for sissy's! It really takes a great deal of courage and acceptance.

"1000 Hearts and Hands" Project

I began this project to create a homage to creativity and to reveal how art has the ability to transcend all boundaries.When I arrived at Lincoln in 2006 the art room was totally vacant and through my vision I pioneered a very successful transformative art program at Lincoln Child Center in Oakland. We have had exhibitions around the Bay Area were our students sell their Art work which is extremely therapeutic.

In 2009 the Hearts and Hands project manifested as an awareness community art reach tool for the high risk children that I teach.Many folks do not realize these marginilized children exist.Also, this project was a fundraiser for art supplies, which we desperately always need.

This art project was very simple, each 6"x9" card would either have an image of a heart or a hand or both. Using any type of medium. I first started with the children and the front line staff at LCC. Then the word got out and creativity spread around campus and everyone was making hearts and hands. The administrators were loving it. This truly was transformative art process and project. Also, 1000 Hearts and Hands is beautiful demonstration of the essence of collaboration.

Folks loved this exhibition and I wanted to share with you a witness's story. Read below--Thank you Melissa for expressing your subjective experience.
Lisa Rasmussen M.F.A.


Lincoln’s Hearts and Hands

Walking into Lamyx Tea Bar, I was struck with the calm and soothing atmosphere it provides. My eyes can’t help but be drawn to the array of wonderful colors alongside me as I continue to the counter. This great display of Lincoln Child Center’s Hearts and Hands exhibit. Glancing at each unique piece of artwork covering the wall in what seems to be 1,000 hearts and hands. Each one conveying the individualism of its creator- each piece, each person, each story. It is quite a whimsical presentation, flowing along with all of its vibrancy and expressiveness. Thoughts of happiness, love, loss, and hope consume me into the stories behind each and every one. Among flowers, brightness, darkness, brokenness, and mystery, I see an overall connectedness. It is as if these are all driven by the same passion to convey this masterwork’s message as a whole, reaching out to its viewers.

As I drink my green tea while listening to the play list consisting of worldly allure, I can see all of these hearts and hands come together with all of their diversity and almost suggesting to me that all it takes is anyone’s loving hearts and hands to make a difference in a child’s life. Each one of the hearts that are up remind me of the soul and emotion that went into this presentation, while each hand I see reminds me of the very real people who created it. Each with their own views, hopes, and dreams. In essence, Lincoln Child Center is lending not only its hands but also its hearts to reach out and embrace those other hearts and hands within the community.
The barren spaces on the wall reflect those who have taken notice of the love and common theme of peace. Contributing themselves to the cause taking a piece of art into their home and into their hearts and hands, offering endurance for a brighter day. The artwork provides a very strong declaration, as the children and staff of Lincoln Child Center imply in this masterpiece. They are the kids you do not see or hear, but they refuse to remain in the shadows. The cause is very real and every vulnerable child is worthy of basking in the same light as others. Lincoln Child Center is offering its hearts and hands to you, in hopes for you to do the same.

Melissa Domann
May 27, 2009

Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series

It is interesting one of my professors in graduate school advised me not to air my dirty laundry in the conceptual explanation of my art. She stated it gets to messy and many folks might think you are trying to sensationalize it. After much reflection I think it is time. This creative series is my first in terms of conceptual art and it might become messy or not.
Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series sourced from a couple things. The first being my desire to heal my severe social phobia. Most people have experienced some level of discomfort in social situations. It becomes a problem when the phobia makes you evade situations or experience panic attacks within these situations. At times it is a form of self imposed torture.
I have been seriously working on healing for the past five years and it is time to let this old and very powerful friend go.
The second as I flip the coin, social phobia is really a disconnect with people. Through this project I seek to connect with people and to acknowledge their brilliance. We will see how this goes. This is evolving and I am excited.


3/11/10
"Lovely day"....
walking to the rock. A car full of teens passed. The very cute one in front said "Lovely day" in a fake British accent as he tipped his hipster hat off to me with a smile in his eyes. aww.... put'n that one in my pocket for a rainy day.
Collecting Interactions, Indian Rock, Berkeley, CA

2/17/10
"The first step after lunch is always the hardest"
Guy getting out of truck with workman ear phones on. Berkeley, CA


1/7/10
"Hello Beautiful."
Hot young man playing basketball with out a shirt on.I became a twelve year old. Meekly saying hi back.
Berkeley, CA