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April Art Classes at the Benson Community Center

2012-04-18T14:22:58Z

Art Classes Benson Community Center

6008 Maple Street 402-444-5184

Water color painting

Beginning Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Ages 13 plus, under age 9 accompanied by adult

Cost – 48.00 per 6 week session/ Limit 5

Students are responsible for their own materials and supplies

Oil Painting

Beginning Wednesday, April 18, 2012 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Ages 15 plus/ Limit 5

Cost – 48.00 per 6 week session/ Limit 5

Students are responsible for their own materials and supplies

Environmental Sculpture

Beginning Wednesday 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM sharp, April 18, 2012

Ages 15 plus/ Limit 5 - Younger if accompanied by an adult

Cost - $48.00 per 6 week session plus $10.00 material fee

Student will learn to create a Sand Hill Crane in sculpture using recycled materials and possibly a mobile to complete the class.

402-933-8411 charlene@rosewoodenvironmentalart.com

rosewoodenvironmentalart.com

Instructor - Charlene Potter

Cost – 48.00 per 6 week session/ Limit 5

Sustainable Living Vision/Sahler Community Garden/Fruit Orchard/Urban Farm

2012-03-18T17:42:35Z

3/18/2012
Update on Sahler Community garden. It is very exciting to be planning for the community garden again this year. Please take a moment to view some of the produce grown last year in our garden on the link below. This is pretty good because we planted really late in the year. Already, plants are coming up from last year. I am hoping we do not get a hard frost, because I don't believe I have enough blankets to cover all the plants. We are doing research on Solar greenhouses. This project is in the planning stage of the process. It's so exciting though. More updates coming soon.

https://www.facebook.com/FontenelleVNA

I am so pleased with the progress of the Community Peace Garden. The terraced beds have been built, and more are being built every day. The terraced beds have been built with recycled broken concrete. The men have worked really hard to break up the concrete. The concrete was free. The rain barrels are in place. There is a shed on site. This has all been built on a site where a condemned building has been torn down. Most of the plants that was purchased with a grant for our neighborhood association have been planted. Also, we have begun to put down mulch. We have planted some marigolds and nasturtium seeds to help control the bugs, hopefully. Plus, the marigolds make the beds look pretty. The herb garden is especially nice. There are families that want to plant their own beds, so the progress continues. The trash has been picked up around the area. People are working together to make the garden grow. It's such a good feeling and there's home grown tomatoes so far.

I live in a depressed area of my city. I am a member of the neighborhood association in our community. It is one of our visions to have a community garden/fruit orchard/urban farm in our community. We have been given the word that we have a site of land for the garden. As in art, everything has a process, but the vision is beginning to take on energy and grow. Our NA is very interested in having youth involvement. Also, we have been discussing bees, chickens, and gravity irrigation. This is only the beginning, the door is open to opportunity, if we look, listen and open the door. Here are some links for further reading about urban farms.
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/urban-farm/urban-farm.aspx
http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/
http://www.theurbanfarm.org/html/programs-at-the-urban-farm.html

6/28/2011
We have planted 30 tomato plants, 33 cabbage plants, some squash, and a few pepper plants. Tomorrow we will purchase more plants. We are too late in the season to plant seeds. I cannot tell you what a pleasure it was on Sunday to see the children's excitement at planting. I am encourage by the participation of the people that came to help with the planting. We are just beginning this project. L. with the company that owns the land has been creating terraced beds, so that it's easier to plant, weed, and water the plants. We could not do this project without L. We are trying to plant organic, using perma-culture techniques. but we are learning as we go. When I lived on the farm, we had a huge garden all in rows. The perma-culture technique of gardening is really new to me. This is the first step on the road towards an Urban Farm and food sustainability.
http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/index/

Posted by Rosewood Environmental Art at 3/12/2011 12:12 PM | Add Comment

Benson Community Center Art classes

2012-03-07T21:35:45Z

Benson Community Center Omaha, NE

Art classes by Environmental Artist Charlene Potter

Oil Painting class at 4 PM Wednesday beginning March 7, 2012 for six weeks
Ages 13 to adult
Cost $48.00
Art supplies are the student's responsibility
The student learns the beginning process of oil painting.

Environmental Sculpture class at 5:45 PM - 7:15 PM , beginning March 7, 2012 for six weeks
Ages 13 to adult
Cost $48.00
First project will be a Sandhill crane created with recycled materials. Second project will be a mobile.
The student learns the proces of creating a sculpture using recycled materials. 'Also, the student will learn devlving into a project without knowing all the answers at the beginning.

"Whisper No More," A Poem by Charlene Potter

2012-02-27T17:39:41Z

Whisper No More
A poem written during the women's rights movement during the 1960's/early 70's
by Charlene Potter
copyright Charlene Potter

Serene as the dusk in the evening sky,
they step into the light.
Fear hangs over;
As ice cycles down from a barren tree.

They come from the darkness,
sisters, one and all.
The hoods of their cloaks,
wrap them in blankets of soft gray.
"Come out, Come out, further into the light."

Whispers of the movement, echo across the land.
Whisper no more, quote the power.
The power always there as an over-shadowed sky,
weighing us down like a rain-soaked hem.

In the mist of the dawning sun,
we gather, as a flock of doves, we come together,
to share in the certainty of awareness, and strength that
change has come.

I am sharing this poem that I wrote during the women's movement in the 1960' & 70's in response to the recent attack on women by some of the Republican Party members.

Does America need to change the high school education system?

2012-02-11T15:49:36Z

A work in progress

I am an environmental artist who lives in a depressed area of my home city. I hear the violence, and I see the children struggling.
I firmly believe the key to raise the bar on the impact of poverty, violence, and drugs is education. Okay, how do we keep kids in school?
I know very little about the education system, and how the system is created. I am only looking at the current system from a students perspective, being a creative/artistic learner. I don't have all the answers, but I am beginning to ask questions and would like to discuss this topic further.

The current high school system is broken. Well, it seems to be broken because of all the drop out numbers. As I see it, the child, here in my community is making most of their own decisions whether it be good or bad, by the time they are 15-16 years of age. First of all, have the school system decision makers ever asked the children through surveys? Have they taken into consideration there are minorities and how the curriculum affects their world view and how they view themselves? And I will address how the arts play a major role in keeping the student in school. Plus, a more hands on approach through programs, and getting the child more active participation than sitting in a classroom all day.

I have been thinking about the high school setup presently concerning the 4 year style. Here in our city, we used to have a tech high school and I believe we need to revisit the tech high school idea.

Here's my suggestion of a different type of high school system.

High school would begin in eight grade while preparing the student for the Jr. college format. Kindergarten could be considered part of the 8 grades. For that matter all the children in daycare could be considered in school.
There would only be 3 years of high school.
The last 2 years of high school would be a more hands on approach for all students. (There could be more involvement of high school students in the process of growing our food, locally, we are going to need to grow our food locally in the future as one example.)
Concerning the subject of history, one home school parent suggested to me that there needs to be a more world view of history which includes history about all minorities and not the watered down version we have today.
And, I will say this again and again. I believe it is a mistake that there is not more emphasis placed on teaching creating thinking through art in grade school and high school. I firmly believe art is a tool and can be utilized in so many areas where it is not being utilized today. Plus, art teaches the child about processes, and they learn to problem solve through processes. Also, ethics and philosophy are very closely related to art.
Why isn't ethics and philosophy being taught in grade school and then all the way through high school? I'm not saying religion, I'm saying ethics. (A book for little children about ethics, wow how would that go?There must be books out there on ethics and logic for little kids)
Would we have less problems with bullying if more ethics and logic were being taught in the schools?
Could we get businesses to participate in the programing of youth during the last two years of high school to help keep down the cost of programing?
What is the result of the child that is graduating from high school today? Is the child's world view and view of themselves even considered in the current high school system and curriculum?
Could high school and Junior College be combined if the format was more like Junior college. The student or parents would have to pay for Junior college?

As we begin to rebuild our middle class, we can begin to look at so many areas of our system that is not working and make positive changes. We have to begin work together one day at a time.

The Energy of the Relationship of Humans in Their Own Ecosystem Sculpture

2012-01-02T19:40:55Z

The Energy of the Relationship of Humans in Their Own Ecosystem Sculpture

and

Narrative Outline

By Charlene Potter 11/30/2011

Humans living with nature

For thousands of years Native people lived with nature.
1. Native people have lived a lifestyle that only takes from nature what is required live.
2. Native people live with nature because they understand nature sustains life.
3. Native people understand the energy of nature and ecosystems.
4. Native people have respect for their natural environment.
5. Are Native peoples lives better because of the energy and relationship with nature?

I believe their lives are better because they understand that life and the energy of life, and sustaining life all depends on the natural world.

Human lifestyle that moves against the balance of nature.

Some modern humans lifestyles deplete all the natural resources from their natural home. This type of lifestyle will leave nothing for future generations.
Some modern humans believe it is their right to just take anything from the natural environment for monetary gain.
1. Most religions teach that we are supposed to be good stewards of the Earth. Western Europeans seem to believe that it is their right to take anything from their natural environment. When the Pilgrims first came to the America, everything was in such abundance and in balance. It is no wonder that they came to this conclusion. But, centuries have past. The abundance and balance is dwindling. Overpopulation is very apparent. Where did we begin this onslaught of our natural environment and rapid use of natural resources? Was it original sin? Some would believe this answer. Possibly the Industrial revolution. Possibly when more people began to move off the farms into the cities, and began living in the urban setting. More research into the history of man and the statistics of the amount of natural resource use would have to be examined. Or, is it because of overpopulation of the Earth and the lifestyle we are living?
2. Some modern humans do not understand their lifestyle upsets and destroys the delicate ecosystem. Is it, they just do not care, or is it they do not understand?
3. If man turns their backs on the Earth and the energy associated in all the different ecosystems, will Earth turn away from man? Or spew man out? Every single person on the planet will suffer because of the decisions of a few. I believe it is time for change. For example, the practice of Holiday lights. I understand it is a custom, a tradition. But, is the practice of holiday lights overdone? Let's look at the cost of these holiday lights and how much electricity they use. How many more Nuclear power plants has to be built to provide power for the holiday lights? Then, how much more toxic waste is produced because of the nuclear power plants. I'm not saying that we stop all holiday lights entirely, but doesn't there need to be a limit. An ethical amount of holiday lights, not let's see if we can outdo everyone else which leads us back to the energy of the relationship to our natural environment. In every waking moment we need to be asking the question how is this action going to affect our natural environment. Sometimes, change is difficult, but with change new creative traditions develop.

Natural energy of the Earth ecosystems, Rhythms, and balance.

Is the natural energy of ecosystems kinetic?
1. Kids Corner defines ecosystem as a complex set of relationships among the living resources, habitats, and residents, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms, water, soil, and humans.
  1. I firmly believe that Native Americans understand that the energy within the ecosystem in which they live has kinetic energy. Besides the obvious, what does the Native American receive from the kinetic energy from the ecosystem and the appreciation and respect in their relationship with their natural environment? It is understanding, a peace, yes a feeling of fullness because of the relationship between nature and human as one in harmony, elation.
  2. Other humans, that lack the understanding, do not recognize the importance of this energy, of this relationship and how important it is for sustaining life, do they live a lesser life? I believe the answer to this question is yes. They do live a lesser life.
  3. Dictionary.com defines kinetic energy as the energy of a body or a system with respect to the motion of the body or of the particles within the system.
2. Living within the natural energy of ecosystems of the Earth.
  1. Living within an ecosystem, is there a type of energy that holds the entire ecosystem together? Is it the relationship the kinetic energy of all things living that creates the energy, or is it merely the kinetic energy that each living thing brings to the ecosystem? Or, is it some other type of kinetic energy.
  2. If an ecosystem has kinetic energy then has some humans lost this relationship with nature? I believe we know this for certain. Are some humans unable, or unwilling to tap into the kinetic energy associated to the natural balance of an ecosystem? Or, merely did they never learn?
  3. Humans’ ability to feel, hear, or see the relationship and the energy of the ecosystem in which we live. Relearn the importance of that relationship and begin to grow in the natural glow of the kinetic energy found within the ecosystem.
  4. Establish that an ecosystem has an energy of it’s own, a kinetic energy.
  5. Has some humans forgotten how important the relationship is with our natural environment?
  6. Did we ever learn this? Or, have we merely forgotten, or is it some of us just don’t care?
  7. Our natural environment has always been there and we have just taken Earth for granted all these centuries.
  8. What are the ways we can benefit from this kinetic energy?
  9. Learn how we can benefit from this energy. Learn to respect the relationship and the energy of the ecosystem and all nature.

10. Implement a plan to protect the ecosystems and the energy of the ecosystems for future generations.

Art Classes Benson Community Center

2011-12-24T15:54:15Z

Art Classes Benson Community Center

6008 Maple Street 402-444-5184
Omaha, NE

Watercolor

Beginning Monday, January 9, 2012, 10 – 11:30 AM

Adults and Seniors

Cost 48.00 per 6 week session/ Limit 8

Students are responsible for their own materials & supplies

*********

Oil painting

Beginning Wednesday January 11, 2012, 4:00 – 5:30 PM

Ages Adult and Seniors

Cost – 48.00 per 6 week session/ Limit 8

Students are responsible for their own materials and supplies

************

Hand built ceramic class

Beginning Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 PM sharp,

Ages 15 plus/ Limit 8

Cost - $32.00 per 4 week session plus $10.00 material fee

Student will learn to hand build a pinch pot, coil pot, and slab pot and animal sculpture

charlene@rosewoodenvironmentalart.com

rosewoodenvironmentalart.com

Instructor - Environmnetal Artist Charlene Potter

Basement Herb Garden/Working Towards Sustainability

2011-09-30T12:43:42Z

11/21/2011
I have planted lettuce in a bucket. The lettuce is coming up. It's a really big surprise. I am planning to plant another batch in 2 - 3 weeks. Then alternate the 2 containers, so that I have lettuce growing all winter long. I am so hoping this will work. All the herbs, are doing really well. I just planted some salantro when I planted the lettuce. More info later.

I have begun an herb garden in my basement, first time ever. I have planted regular herbs, one tomato plant and one pepper plant. I figure the herbs will spruce up any bland dish that I prepare. Yesterday, I have decided that the plants need a little wind. So, I have turned a small fan on them on low, and it's oscillation. This little herb garden is so fun. I plan to run the fan every other day, or every second day. I will have to determine how often I should run the fan. Also, I may move the fan around so that it hits the plants from different angles.

So, if we look at the relationship between the plants and the wind. I call the wind one of the rhythms of the Earth/Earth's body language. Plants have learned to adapt to the wind or die. I will compare this relationship to humans from different ideologies. Humans are different, instead of learning to live with one another like the ecosystem in which we live. Humans just fight and create wars. Is this living within one's own ecosystem? I think not. So, why don't we begin to take a closer look at the relationship of humans and their own ecosystem. So does this mean that plants, animals are more intelligent than humans? It appears to be logical that plants, and animals are more intelligent, or they have learned that if they do not learn to live within their own ecosystem they will die. There will be more discussion on this topic.

I am so hopeful for my little herb garden. I purchased the herbs when they were 45 percent off. I put them in terracotta pots. I turn on the grow light at 7 and off at 7. If I run the fan, I turn it on at 7, too. I have not completed a price break down of how much the electricity will cost for the grow light and fan at this point. But, will try to figure this later. And if this works this year, I will try other plants next year. I will keep writing a blog to let you know how well the garden has done all winter. It is my efforts to work towards sustainability.

October 2, 2011

I have to pot a few more of the little herbs today. Next week, I will purchase some sprouts, and herb seeds to try with the hydroponic method. Please remember I am learning this process. Anyway that we can begin to have some fresh greens during the colder months of the year and not have to spend the gas to truck the produce to our grocery stores will be a step working towards sustainability. Plus, for a person on a fixed income this will hopefully lead to a healthier diet.

Earth has Body Language

2011-09-07T20:20:16Z

I've read humans communicate more through body language than through speaking. Animals communicate through body language. With this said, let's look at the Earth. How does she(I will use she because of hearing the use of Mother Nature and such) utilize body language to communicate to humans if we are paying attention? How can we humans understand Earth's body language? We can understand by looking, listening, and mental feeling. Yes, I said feeling. Several years ago, I was taking my parents on a trip to another small town about 20 miles away, when the clouds with different formations that I had ever seen before made a humungous display across the sky. There was dramatic contrasts of light and dark. There were so many colors to name. The clouds were the largest I had every seen. This wasn't a normal thunderstorm. On that trip it was like the sky opened and just dropped the rain. We had to stop driving because we couldn't see. At the time, I felt that the clouds were telling us something. I believe the clouds are part of Earth's body language.

Secondly, Earth's communicate through changes in the tides, seasons, rhythms, and watching the animals. Yes, I said rhythms. Wouldn't it be something if we could feel Earthquakes coming like the animals. When we had the very mild Earthquake here in Nebraska last October, my dog was shaking for no reason. My neighbor dog too.

I believe we are depending too much on technology. We're missing this opportunity to really see, and really listen.

More examples coming soon. I encourage discussions on this subject.

Walk with Water, Experience A Flower, show

2011-08-11T14:24:46Z

August 17, 2011
I am in the process of trying to master the endangered Prairie Fringed Orchid in hand-built porcelain clay. I have the first blossom created. The blossom I created is larger than actual size. I will try another one, but much smaller. I have small hands, but if the work gets too small, it's difficult to work on really small pieces. I just cannot get the detail work down. I will keep trying though. I would like to create 3 blossoms for a plaque for this show coming up in September. If the plaque works, then I will think about creating one in a full sculpture.

This brings to mind all the species that have become extinct. For whatever reason, I'm trying to visualize a Dodo bird in porcelain sculpture.

Also, I have several herb plaques drying in the basement and it is so fragrant. I am the most excited about the moon water flower.

†

Presently, I am working diligently working on the "Walk with Water, Experience A Flower," a show. Through the beauty and mystery of the hand-built porcelain water flowers, and plaques, the message will demonstrate the importance of water quality.

The show will be at the Alley Gallery, Hot Shops Art Gallery, 1301 Nicholas Street, Omaha, NE through the month of September, 2011. Opening reception September 9th, 6 - 10 PM.

Every growing thing needs clean water to grow.

Two new water flowers are sculpted and drying. Six plaques are sculpted and drying. It was a great day for me on Tuesday when I traveled to the 4-H camp to collect prairie grasses for the plaques. The drive was great and the area so beautiful. The 4-H camp is near the Schram Aquarium.

More water flowers, and plaques, and poetry to create.
Photos coming soon.

Protecting the Creative Psyche

2011-08-11T13:45:07Z

The status of the current US economy is affecting my own creativity. Or, let me re-phrase this by saying, I'm allowing the news, and stock market downfall to affect my own creativity.

The fear of the unknown is the greatest fear. Overcoming the fear of the unknown through the creativity of art is very uplifting.

So, therefore, I am going to overcome these stresses by pulling on the lessons of the pioneer spirit from my aging parents and just knuckle down and work on creativity.

I firmly believe the creative psyche is very delicate. First, as individuals we need to nourish our own creative psyche through the processes. Then as our creative psyche begins to grow we need to protect it from outside stresses. Finally, once the creative psyche is maturing, then it's much easier to continue to create without stops and starts.

There are many types of artists. I am a feeling artist, or emotional artist. I have to feel whatever I am trying to create. I have to experience a feather, a flower, or animal, before I can create the work of art. So therefore, through the process of experiencing the essence of a flower, my own creative psyche continues to grow. The process of art is achieved, and the uplifting feelings of joy are the results.

Traditional Folk Music & Art to rebuild the middle class

2011-07-25T12:17:15Z

I try to make it over to the Benson Farmer's Market every Saturday morning. I am there displaying my art for sale. Along with other vendors, rain or shine, hot weather or not. These are local business owners are trying to build their businesses. As an added treat, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, there's always music, most of the time it's traditional folk music. Sometimes, there are groups that play jazz, or music from the 60s & 70's.

I believe the middle class America can be rebuilt on the shirt-tail of the Traditional Folk music, Contra dancing, and Art that demonstrates hope, & values. In history the middle class established it's foundation singing these songs, & creating their own hope. I believe we can do it again. The traditional folk music gives us hope, & brings us out of the negativity of recession and stress. There's something very therapeutic about singing. The songs are uplifting and sometimes funny which makes us laugh. Songs that tell a story sometimes teaches a lesson, and sometimes the songs just give us hope to go on when everything seems so bleak. The song, "Hard Times," comes to mind.

To rebuild the middle class America will not be easy, but I believe we can do it. We have done it before and we can do it again. So bring your banjo, guitar, or just bring your voice out to the farmer's markets all over the US to play a tune, purchase from the vendors, but most of all support local businesses and rebuild middle America.

Through My Art I try to Demonstrate

2011-06-26T11:52:02Z

Through my art I try to demonstrate the importance of clean water to fight disease. It is imperative for our children's safety.

Through my art I try to demonstrate the importance of clean air so that my friends can breathe.

Through my art I try to demonstrate the importance of clean Earth to plant our food.

We want to make a change and work towards sustainability.

Under the Pot, a Stand or Not? continued

2011-06-24T23:41:00Z

7/28/2011

The OPPD Refrigerator Art project is finished. "Under the Pot, A Stand or Not?" is finished. The truck came to pick it up today. I did not follow my environmental goals, but I tried. I could not follow my goals because the products available were not available. This art project will be on display very soon in the Old Market area of Omaha, NE. I will announce the location very soon.

It would be nice to see small businesses begin to grow that provides an alternative to the toxic products we have available presently. There could be an enormous amount of jobs for small businesses for the future. Let's get our inventing caps on and get to work.

7/16/2011
The second pot of flowers is completed. Now it's in the drying portion of the process. The first pot of flowers continues to dry. I will put the first pot through the bisque firing next Wednesday or Thursday depending on the outside weather. If it's over 100 degrees outside I will wait until Thursday.
Presently, I have to complete the painting on the other 2 sides of the refrigerator. There is nothing that brings me more happiness than working through the processes of art.

Images coming very soon.

What colors your happiness?

7/8/2011

Within the processes of porcelain clay, design, creativity, and inspiration I find myself with the lingering thought of protecting the environment through the OPPD Refrigerator Art Project.

I am in the process of building the pot of flowers that will rest on the top of the refrigerator when it's completed. The coil pot is built, and now I am creating different flowers with leaves that goes in the pot. Roses, Calla Lillies, to name a few. After the pot of flowers is finished, I will go back to painting the refrigerator. The pot of flowers will take several days to dry. I will create a second pot of flowers, very soon.

6/24/2011

The under-painting is complete on one side of the Refrigerator Art project. All of my designs are based on nature.
I am beginning another side of the refrigerator. It's not going as fast as the opposite side. Lots of tiny designs within a design. It is difficult for me to work with the sign paint. The brushes are not quite right.

Everything in life is a process. When you are born it is a process, through the growing years it is a process, living is a process. And death is a process. I learned that everything has it's own process from the processes of art. Art is a tool that can be utilized all of our lives. There are time when we experiment with parts of the process. Some experiments work and some do not.

On the sky of one of the refrigerator designs I have cut up an old rag to use instead of a brush. This works much better than any of the brushes I have at this time. The sign paint is very thin and runs easily. If I do not catch the drips and smooth them out with a brush or rag then they have to be sanded and then I begin again.

Because the sign paint is toxic, I have several of the windows open in the room where the refrigerator art is located. I'm only painting about 6 hours at a time and then I'm in other rooms where the ventilation is much better. When I am finished for the day, I wash my hands in dish detergent and put on coconut oil to take the remaining paint off my hands. I am drinking green tea because it's supposed to be a natural detox tea, and drinking lots of water.

Old Artists don't pass away...

2011-06-17T12:26:48Z

Old Artists don't pass away, they fade into the colors of their art.

Look for me beneath the outside layer, you will find me among the colors.

Under the Pot, a Stand, or Not? OPPD Refrigerator Art more info

2011-06-15T11:23:34Z

I am beginning to work with the sign enamel paint. I am asking myself is this the style I'm after. But, I am limited to this type of paint because the artwork will be outside during the warmer months of the year. The enamel paint will hold up better than acrylic. The sign paint is toxic. I am trying to be very careful with ventilation. The weather has been quite mild here in the midwest. It's amazing the airflow dynamics in these older homes. I am using Turpenoid natural to clean the brushes.
The sign paint does not blend hardly at all. If I try to blend I get a muddy color. Also, it's thinner and runs easily. I have some sanding in between coats. I will create the flames side later today.

I am hoping there is a little art in your day, and if not create some.

Later in the day, I have the holes on the back covered with galvanized aluminum. I hope they look OK. The folks over at Hempal Sheet Metal on 13th street just up from the Bohemian Cafe really helped me with this part of the process. Thanks

I haven't been over to the Bohemian Cafe in a very long time. I used to like the Red Cabbage there and the dumplings. I could eat an entire plate of Red Cabbage. So many wonderful memories and so little time.

Under the Pot, a Stand, or Not? project continued

2011-06-10T19:40:54Z

I have been talking to other artists, hardware stores, and just people about the correct method of cleaning the old refrigerator in preparation of creating the art project. I am finding this process will not be completed using toxic free products. I just used acetone to break up the enameled surface. Also, because of art acrylic paint will not hold up outside in the elements, I will be using sign enamel paint which is toxic.
Because of the toxic fumes, I have opened all the windows, and have a fan in one of the windows. I used a face mask. And when I took it off I could not smell any fumes.
I am asking the question, can non-toxic products be created to do this work? The only other method would be to sand the surface a lot. I do not have the physical stamina to complete this job sanding. I would be adding enameled paint dust to my studio and then continually breathing the dust as I work.
I am asking for toxic free products to use in art.

Discussion encouraged.

Under the Pot, a Stand, or Not? project

2011-06-03T21:11:53Z

Under the Pot, a Stand, or Not?

is an art project that I am currently beginning. I am excited to say that I am one of 5 artists that will be participating in the OPPD Refrigerator Art project. Through the process of creating my design, I will be writing a blog about the progress of my work. Through this process I will document the different materials, and process, that I use through this process to determine the toxicity, and the impact on our natural environment.

I want to learn through this process if there are other products that are non-toxic. Also, I want to determine if the process I follow has the least amount of impact on the natural environment as possible. Or, if there are ways that I can change the process slightly, without changing the design.
Here are some of the supplies that I will be using
acrylic paint
a bonding primer (which I know for certain is toxic) If I use house paint I cannot get the beautiful colors that are found in the artists acrylic paint selection. Also, I have a budget to work with.
I will be using a non-toxic brush cleaner and non-toxic sealer.
Most of the ceramic glazes are low fire glazes and are non-toxic.
Low fire glazes runs the kiln shorter time and uses less electricity.

Discussions would be welcomed.

No New Natural Gas Drilling

2011-05-16T11:45:00Z

Why am I wary that natural gas causes earthquakes? OK, I understand in the past here in the midwest US we have had small earthquakes. We have not have had any trimmers since in the 1940s until last October, and then again in early 2011, I don't remember the month. I do not support natural gas drilling. There are so many natural faults here in the US and I do believe it will not take much to disturb the energy to set off new earthquakes. I am not certain that we want to go down that path.

The Earth will tell us, if we look and listen. OK, the trimmers in October and early 2011 has my attention. But, the main concern is do we care what is done to the Earth as long as there is a profit to be made?

How do we keep people warm, cool, and safe? We create new methods, new processes, new safe energy.

But, people with profit, and dollar signs before their eyes are not looking at the whole picture. Begin to see this through artist's eyes. Plus, they are not taking the time to research natural gas drilling in correlation with earthquakes.The rush to drill before researching the safety and logic of natural gas drilling is just the same old methods we used in creating nuclear power. Come on folks, I know we can do better than this. I firmly believe in brilliance of the people to create a new clean, sustainable, easy access, and safe energy for the environment and people. And no I wouldn't believe a scientist's report paid by the natural gas companies pertaining to the natural gas drilling and earthquakes. Perhaps US government test, though. I am not certain, though, politics clouds so much these days.

How about some proactive thinking?

Another major concern with natural gas drilling is the effect on ground water. If we do not protect the ground water and our drinking water at all costs, we will not remain sustainable as a society. And isn't the main goal to remain and maintain Sustainability?

Let's begin to look at what we have in abundance to see if there is a way we can use it in new energy. Let's begin to support new clean energy research. This should be our main goal, focus. Create new jobs just for this one goal. Let's get the ball rolling on a much larger scale for the betterment of humankind and Earth our first home.

Beyond Comprehension

2011-05-07T01:23:00Z

It is incomprehensible to me that some in our society are considering not caring for the disabled, and taking away medical assistance or reducing it to the ninth degree for the elderly, not to mention so many other programs that are being lost. Have they really thought this through. What will become of the elderly that can not pay? How will they survive? When at the same time these same people purport big business, oil subsidies, and big war. Do we have representatives of the people, or are they representatives of companies?
Is this a democracy? Or someone said corptracacy or something like that?

How can people say they follow a religion in one breath and then support new laws that are so devastating to people who cannot care for themselves in the next breath. In any religion that I have read about, it mandates care for the disabled, ill, aged, and down trodden. Nor, is it ethical. As a society, we have to begin to become more ethical. We have to begin to put ethics into every decision, every action taken.

The time has past as a society when we allow constant pollution of our water, land, and environment with no conscience. The time has past when people are not getting the education they need to get the jobs to feed their families. The time has past in continuing wars where they is no end. The time has past when women are paid less than their male counterparts in the workforce, and yet they have to pay more for having work done in their homes to live independently as they age.

I am writing this message to ask for social change. Social change where ethics and logic are used to determine any law. I know little about the process of law for I am an artist. But, I am not certain ethics and logic are being utilized more recently in the House of Representatives.

It is the time in our society that we lay down our weapons of war and begin a new day where we will be at peace with our neighbors around the world. It is a time when we need to begin to help each other with new ideas for new fuels. It is time to come to the table, to create a new world through the creativity of art, the creativity of thinking, to see a new existence with each other. An existence of peace. And I can see this existence through the eyes of an artist. Look, I am certain you can see it too.

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No New Natural Gas Drilling

Beyond Comprehension

6008 Maple Street 402-444-5184
Omaha, NE