Friday, October 31, 2008

On the Mississippi Delta........


This evening finds us in historic Memphis Tennessee, for one of our last shows of the year. To be here, at this historic time in history, a place of Civil Rights battles and the heart of the blues, as Barack Obama is poised to possibly be our next president, is amazing. History is about to unfold with a man capable of ushering in the change so desperately needed.
These are tumultuous times for a country such as ours.
In the midst of 2 wars (one unwarranted), in a wrecked economy and uncertainty on so many levels.
What do we ask of this next President?
Honesty, fairness, an ability to lead and take action.
A care and concern that they will understand the plight of all people.
Someone who listens.
Someone who can articulate the facts and who has the temperment to carefully lead the way.
A navigator for those who have lost hope.

I know when I cast my vote on November 4th, that I am doing so with the utmost of passion, understanding that this vote is one that has been fought for by past generations.
Fought for by those men and women who came before me.
Fought for by people who suffered, died and worked hard to provide a better tomorrow so many yesterdays ago.
That this is my right and responsibility as a citizen of this country.
As a person who, although not leaving behind a legacy of children, wishes to leave the world a bit better than I found it, am reminded how historic my vote really is.

So, as we enter a new reality, one born of care for one another, sacrifice in what lies ahead, and an abilty to solve problems by working for a solution that benefits everyone, I feel like the country is in the aftermath of a great forest fire.
There's damage done, cinders to be swept and things to clean.
This 'fire' etched a path that can now let new growth take place.
We feel raked over the coals, as do so many millions of others.
Much like a delta in the aftermath of a flood. It becomes rich once again from the good within that is stirred to the surface.
We will become strong and whole and enriched again.

The fire and floods will make us stronger.
The good will rise to the surface and the trees will bud again.
This is my hope.
This is why I vote.
I know I can, in some small way, make a difference.

VOTE!

Patricia

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Healing Hand Christmas Ornament


★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Healing Hand Ornament. This collectable ornament could hang around all year long! Emblazoned with a wonderfully illustrative hand and on the back.

"Health peace
and sweet content
be yours"

Shakespeare

Order in multipes and use as stocking stuffers........tie onto packages.......
These are cherry on one side and maple on the other. Painted with gold on the edges and tied with gold silk on top. They hang by a regular Christmas tree hook (not included) or could be tied with string to hang where you chose! On top is a small screw eye.

Size is 3" x 4 1/4" (7.62 x 10.795 centimeters)

6.00

on etsy.com

Patricia

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Barack Obama Ornament


★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Barack Obama Ornament. This collectable ornament is available just in time to adorn anywhere you decide to hang it! Emblazoned with the smiling face of Barack Obama on the front and an inspring quote from Gandhi on the back.

Be the change
you want
to see
in the world.

Order in multipes and share with fellow Obama supporters this handmade ray of hope!
These are cherry on one side and maple on the other. Painted with gold on the sides and tied with blue silk on top. They hang by a regular Christmas tree hook (not included) or could be tied with string to hang where you chose! On top is a small screw eye.

Size is 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" (5.08 x 7.26 centimeters)

Buy this now on my etsy.com site.

6.00

Patricia

Friday, October 24, 2008

Friendship Artist TattooDream Box


★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Friendship Artist TattooDream Box ! This upcycled cigar box measures 7" wide and 7" deep and 5 3/4" tall. A rich blue detailing, and blue feet with a contrasting cream thread trim. The top opens by way of a hinged lid which allows for full access. Inside, the bottom is lined with sexy black velvet. Emblazoned with imagination, friendship and friendly karma! These boxes make great gifts and each one is a one of a kind!
For a gift certain to be remembered for years to come, think of TattooDreams!


Patricia

On etsy.com:
65.00

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

African Adrinka Symbols Box


¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my African Symbols Box. This collectible box measures 6" wide and 5" deep and 4 1/4" tall. This box has a top that opens easily by way of a hinge revealing the contents you decide are the treasures to store inside. It has metalic copper painted feet and co-ordinating fringe. Inside, the bottom is lined with sultry black velvet. Emblazoned with great tribal and adrinka symbols. A very unusal box for me to make, but one I really like.

As I continue to make boxes like these, I prepare in earnest for my first show with my TattooDreams body of work! That show will take place in Cleveland Ohio on November 14-16 at the IX Center. I will be in Booth #216.
There I will show my boxes, tables, gourds, crosses, spirit sticks, mirrors, angels, hearts and ornaments.

On etsy:
40.00


Patricia

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Go Obama, GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


100,000 + in St. Louis for Obama!

This looks like Inauguration Day, not a rally!
Keeping the faith this intellectual, charismatic man wins!
The 'other guy' is frightening!!

See more..http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
This just in.......Colin Powell endorses......
http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/864
Patricia

Friday, October 17, 2008

Ocean Seashell Box


★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ Here is my Ocean Seashell Box by TattooDreams. This cool cube-like box measures 6" wide and 6 1/4" deep and 6" tall. This box has a top that slides open easily revealing the contents you decide are the treasures to store inside. It has metalic jade feet and co-ordinating fringe. Inside, the bottom is lined with sultry black velvet. Emblazoned with wonderful aquatic images that make one long for a day at the beach or shore.

Patricia


On etsy:
$50.00

Monday, October 13, 2008

♡ Breast Cancer Courage Box ♡


★´¨)
¸,•´¸.•¤´¨} ¸.•*¨)
(¸.*´ (¸.*`¤~ I'm featuring my Breast Cancer Courage Box. This was cathartic to make. Breast cancer is a cause near to my heart since losing my Mom to it when I was 15. This was before mamograms! I'm hoping the future owner of this box will be sharing it with a friend, daughter, mother or sister who has survived!
October is Breast Cancer awareness month.
This box is full of hope!



It measures 13 1/2" wide and 4" deep and 5 1/2" tall, opens by way of a golden clasp on the front. This box has a hinged top that opens easily revealing the contents you decide are the treasures to store inside. It has two-tone pink feet and
co-ordinating fringe. Inside, the bottom is lined with sultry black velvet. Emblazoned with wonderful words and images of hope, courage and awarness.
Grace gives us the abilty to move forward despite what life hands us.

To all who have been cured~
are newly diagnosed
are working towards their recovery
are accepting their diagnosis
are dealing with their prognosis.......
You are being prayed for in a very special way.
Take care of yourselves and your bodies.
They are the temples of the spirit.

༺♥༻
Patricia


On etsy
75.00

Sunday, October 12, 2008

"Reflecting You"...an etsy Commission


Every now and then, an artist gets a really wonderful and unique commission. One that will test your skills of technique as well as your skills to listen. To interpret what the collector desires and create something better than what they'd hoped for.
I just completed one of those projects!
I began selling my relatively new body of work, TattooDreams, on etsy.com last December. Shortly after doing so, I met a wonderful Canadian admirer of my work. Her enthusiasm motivated me! She saw things in my work I didn't see. Sometimes when you're that close to your own work, you overlook the nuances others can appreciate.
I was asked by this wonderful woman if I would be willing to create a mirror to mark her special birthday.
I loved this challenge and happily accepted the commission!
We decided on a size and price. After that, discussion revoloved around what to have on this mirror frame.
Children and family names, elements to mark significant events and places in her life, people who impacted her world and the goodness her life reflects all became my muse.

This came together with the 'canvas' being a beautiful maple wood mirror my husband Jon built. Jon has a keen sense of tasteful line to his work and his details and design sense are fabulous!
The size of this is 20" wide and 28" tall with an ebonized black tapered shelf below the mirror.
The smooth finish was achieved using a Danish oil that fragranced our studio while being applied.

So many things came together in such a magnificent way to accomplish this piece and UPS did their part delivering it right on time to Calgary!
I have a happy collector and Jon and I are really satisfied with what we made. A huge thanks for having the passion to trust me with this commission!
It's people like you who let people like me hone their craft, enjoy every workday and live the life I do.
For this and so many other things in this world I am blessed and greatful!

For my blog viewers, of which there seems to be a growing base from the number who subscribe to my blog, I share with you this mirror we called "Reflecting You".

I look forward to creating more pieces like this as well as small tables that can be personized.

Namastè,
༺♥༻
Patricia

Please see the rest of my TattooDreams work on etsy.com
My 3- dimensional work on HeckerDesign.com

Friday, October 10, 2008

☞This Man Can Lead!!

I take the liberty in printing this powerful piece of literature.
It needs to be read by every American voter.
If you're a fence-sitter, get off it and read this!!

Obama Will be One of the Greatest (and Most Loved) American Presidents

By Frank Schaeffer
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Great presidents are made great by horrible circumstances combined with character, temperament and intelligence. Like firemen, cops, doctors or soldiers, presidents need a crisis to shine.

Obama is one of the most intelligent presidential aspirants to ever step forward in American history. The likes of his intellectual capabilities have not been surpassed in public life since the Founding Fathers put pen to paper. His personal character is also solid gold. Take heart, America: we have the leader for our times.

I say this as a white, former life-long Republican. I say this as the proud father of a Marine. I say this as just another American watching his pension evaporate along with the stock market! I speak as someone who knows it's time to forget party loyalty, ideology and pride and put the country first. I say this as someone happy to be called a fool for going out on a limb and declaring that, 1) Obama will win, and 2) he is going to be amongst the greatest of American presidents.

Obama is our last best chance. He's worth laying it all on the line for.

This is a man who in the age of greed took the high road of community service. This is the good father and husband. This is the humble servant. This is the patient teacher. This is the scholar statesman. This is the man of deep Christian faith.

Good stories about Obama abound; from his personal relationship with his Secret Service agents (he invites them into his home to watch sports, and shoots hoops with them) to the story about how, more than twenty years ago, while standing in the check-in line at an airport, Obama paid a $100 baggage surcharge for a stranger who was broke and stuck. (Obama was virtually penniless himself in those days.) Years later after he became a senator, that stranger recognized Obama's picture and wrote to him to thank him. She received a kindly note back from the senator. (The story only surfaced because the person, who lives in Norway, told a local newspaper after Obama ran for the presidency. The paper published a photograph of this lady proudly displaying Senator Obama's letter.)

Where many leaders are two-faced; publicly kindly but privately feared and/or hated by people closest to them, Obama is consistent in the way he treats people, consistently kind and personally humble. He lives by the code that those who lead must serve. He believes that. He lives it. He lived it long before he was in the public eye.

Obama puts service ahead of ideology. He also knows that to win politically you need to be tough. He can be. He has been. This is a man who does what works, rather than scoring ideological points. In other words he is the quintessential non-ideological pragmatic American. He will (thank God!) disappoint ideologues and purists of the left and the right.

Obama has a reservoir of personal physical courage that is unmatched in presidential history. Why unmatched? Because as the first black contender for the presidency who will win, Obama, and all the rest of us, know that he is in great physical danger from the seemingly unlimited reserve of unhinged racial hatred, and just plain unhinged ignorant hatred, that swirls in the bowels of our wounded and sinful country. By stepping forward to lead, Obama has literally put his life on the line for all of us in a way no white candidate ever has had to do. (And we all know how dangerous the presidency has been even for white presidents.)

Nice stories or even unparalleled courage isn't the only point. The greater point about Obama is that the midst of our worldwide financial meltdown, an expanding (and losing) war in Afghanistan, trying to extricate our country from a wrong and stupidly mistaken ruinously expensive war in Iraq, our mounting and crushing national debt, awaiting the next (and inevitable) al Qaeda attack on our homeland, watching our schools decline to Third World levels of incompetence, facing a general loss of confidence in the government that has been exacerbated by the Republicans doing all they can to undermine our government's capabilities and programs... President Obama will take on the leadership of our country at a make or break time of historic proportions. He faces not one but dozens of crisis, each big enough to define any presidency in better times.

As luck, fate or divine grace would have it (depending on one's personal theology) Obama is blessedly, dare I say uniquely, well-suited to our dire circumstances. Obama is a person with hands-on community service experience, deep connections to top economic advisers from the renowned University of Chicago where he taught law, and a middle-class background that gives him an abiding knowledgeable empathy with the rest of us. As the son of a single mother, who has worked his way up with merit and brains, recipient of top-notch academic scholarships, the peer-selected editor of the Harvard Law Review and, in three giant political steps to state office, national office and now the presidency, Obama clearly has the wit and drive to lead.

Obama is the sober voice of reason at a time of unreason. He is the fellow keeping his head while all around him are panicking. He is the healing presence at a time of national division and strife. He is also new enough to the political process so that he doesn't suffer from the terminally jaded cynicism, the seen-it-all-before syndrome afflicting most politicians in Washington. In that regard we Americans lucked out. It's as if having despaired of our political process we picked a name from the phone book to lead us and that person turned out to be a very man we needed.

Obama brings a healing and uplifting spiritual quality to our politics at the very time when our worst enemy is fear. For eight years we've been ruled by a stunted fear-filled mediocrity of a little liar who has expanded his power on the basis of creating fear in others. Fearless Obama is the cure. He speaks a litany of hope rather than a litany of terror.

As we have watched Obama respond in a quiet reasoned manner to crisis after crisis, in both the way he has responded after being attacked and lied about in the 2008 campaign season, to his reasoned response to our multiplying national crises, what we see is the spirit of a trusted family doctor with a great bedside manner. Obama is perfectly suited to hold our hand and lead us through some very tough times. The word panic is not in the Obama dictionary.

America is fighting its "Armageddon" in one fearful heart at a time. A brilliant leader with the mild manner of an old-time matter-of-fact country doctor soothing a frightened child is just what we need. The fact that our "doctor" is a black man leading a hitherto white-ruled nation out of the mess of its own making is all the sweeter and raises the Obama story to that of moral allegory.

Obama brings a moral clarity to his leadership reserved for those who have had to work for everything they've gotten and had to do twice as well as the person standing next to them because of the color of their skin. His experience of succeeding in spite of his color, social background and prejudice could have been embittering or one that fostered a spiritual rebirth of forgiveness and enlightenment. Obama radiates the calm inner peace of the spirit of forgiveness.

Speaking as a believing Christian I see the hand of a merciful God in Obama's candidacy. The biblical metaphors abound. The stone the builder rejected is become the cornerstone... the last shall be first... he that would gain his life must first lose it... the meek shall inherit the earth...

For my secular friends I'll allow that we may have just been extraordinarily lucky! Either way America wins.

Only a brilliant man, with the spirit of a preacher and the humble heart of a kindly family doctor can lead us now. We are afraid, out of ideas, and worst of all out of hope. Obama is the cure. And we Americans have it in us to rise to the occasion. We will. We're about to enter one of the most frightening periods of American history. Our country has rarely faced more uncertainty. This is the time for greatness. We have a great leader. We must be a great people backing him, fighting for him, sacrificing for a cause greater than ourselves.

A hundred years from now Obama's portrait will be placed next to that of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. Long before that we'll be telling our children and grandchildren that we stepped out in faith and voted for a young black man who stood up and led our country back from the brink of an abyss. We'll tell them about the power of love, faith and hope. We'll tell them about the power of creativity combined with humility and intellectual brilliance. We'll tell them that President Obama gave us the gift of regaining our faith in our country. We'll tell them that we all stood up and pitched in and won the day. We'll tell them that President Obama restored our standing in the world. We'll tell them that by the time he left office our schools were on the mend, our economy booming, that we'd become a nation filled with green energy alternatives and were leading the world away from dependence on carbon-based destruction. We'll tell them that because of President Obama's example and leadership the integrity of the family was restored, divorce rates went down, more fathers took responsibility for their children, and abortion rates fell dramatically as women, families and children were cared for through compassionate social programs that worked. We'll tell them about how the gap closed between the middle class and the super rich, how we won health care for all, how crime rates fell, how bad wars were brought to an honorable conclusion. We'll tell them that when we were attacked again by al Qaeda, how reason prevailed and the response was smart, tough, measured and effective, and our civil rights were protected even in times of crisis...

We'll tell them that we were part of the inexplicably blessed miracle that happened to our country those many years ago in 2008 when a young black man was sent by God, fate or luck to save our country. We'll tell them that it's good to live in America where anything is possible. Yes we will!



Frank Schaeffer is the author of CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back. Now in paperback.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

★ Destiny ★


Today was important......a day I will never forget!
Today we drove to Indianapolis to see Barack Obama. It's not everyday you get this type of opportunity. When we arrived at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, we saw police directing traffic and very long lines. Overnight rains left the air cool and damp on this fall morning. A far cry different from the sweltering heat we encounter when we go to the State Fair in August. We quickly moved through the screening checkpoint and physical search of my purse and Jons camera. Everything was well organized and lots of cheerful volunteers moved us through quickly. Lines wrapped around the building and within 45 minutes we were seated in the grandstands along with thousands of other friendly Obama-fans!

To watch the secret service, swat teams, media and police take position was an orchestra of the most serious kind. First the ABC World News Tonight bus rolled onto the fairgrounds and the crowd ignited. The big guys were there!
About 20 minutes later, our (hopefully) future President arrived!!
When the crowd (estimated to be in excess of 21,000) caught sight of the motorcade, cheers and chants rose to greet him.
It was human thunder!!
We were part of something very big!
Big for a red state that would certainly never give up this kind of passion for McCain!
Big for a cold wet Wednesday!
Big with people demanding change!
After 8 long, horrible years there was light at the end of the tunnel!!

As Obama took the stage, the dark clouds that had drifted through the morning began to lift.
I know this sounds weird, but the sun was breaking through and it's timing could not have been better!
★Change was on the way!!!★
I sat mesmerized by a calm steady voice that resonated a message I needed to hear first hand.
A message of hope, resolve and determination.
A message of change!
I got it!
So did the other 21,000 people who came alive there today!
This country needs the insight, intellect, passion, problem solving,
humanity and vision of Barack Obama!

To be in the presence of such a masterful orator
with such a powerful message,
an intellect that can solve problems,
a deep compassion for others,
a resolve of hope not fear,
an eloquence not often seen in a candidate-
and sense the energy he exuded was incredible!
It was overwhelming!
It was Obama-rific!
It brought me to tears.
Tears of hope that change can really happen.
It brought to the surface deep emotions.
I knew I was in the presence of a rare and energizing human being!!!
He is our last best chance.
This is the most important election of our lifetime!

★"Our destiny is not written for us, but by us"★

Vote with your heart!
It is not only your right, but your responsibility!
★★★★★★★★★★★
Patricia

Monday, October 6, 2008

★ Peace and Hope ★


★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Jon and I 'experienced' a wonderfully old historic neighborhood in St. Louis this past weekend, called Shaw. It was there we showed our work. A wonderful collection of work from high caliber artists ignited the public. The air was crisp and the leaves beginning to fall. Homes were adorend with Halloween decorations and potted mums.The recent doom of Wall Street had an impact on sales, but we anticipated that going in. We feel the need to continue to tempt people with our work.
I believe we did just that!
The neighborhood welcomed the artists to their annual event and into their homes and held a party Saturday after the show that left many drinking wine and dancing late into the evening, despite our economic stresses.
It may have been just the antidote!
What really struck us, was how wonderfully 'blue' an area we were in. Down the street from our booth, a grassroots movement of making yards signs for Obama took place. Large tarps covered the yard where signs were spray painted and decorated by children and adults. Bumper stickers were sold, ideas shared and poll numbers exchanged. The neighborhood children wrote messages about hope and Obama in the streets with chalk.
To be around like minded, intelligent, politically alive people was wonderful!
It gave us hope!
Hope Obama will win.
Hope for our country.
Hope of a return to people buying art.
Hope for so many lost feelings.

For the last 8 years I have watched our country become more divided every day.
The great 'uniter' has failed miserably in bringing this country together.
It reaches farther than that however. It has become a source of divisiness among
families who cannot bear to debate conflict.
This scenerio we know well.
Jon and I come from Republican parents who will not discuss politics.
Period.
I find this odd. I have long believed that it's when ideas, however different, are shared, that we can
all learn from one another.
I also was taught to stand up for what I believe in. I'm not afraid to speak my mind or think on my feet
and perhaps it is this that frightens them more.

I believe in leaving the world better than I found it.
I believe in helping the planet heal itself.
I believe in better tomorrows by carefully adjusting what we do today.
In taking responsibility.
I belive in the power of peace and the power of hope.
Without them I would be nothing.
Without them I could not put myself out there, weekend after weekend in such a wrecked economy
trying to sell my soul through my art.
Without them, I could not daily put one foot in front of the other without falling.
Without them I could not wake up to the atrocities the last wreckless 8 years of war, mismanagement and lies
have brough to our country and not curl into a ball sobbing.
Without them I would have given up long ago.
I don't want to be disappointed on November 4th.
I want change!
I want my livlihood back!
I WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

Like I said, I believe in the power of peace and the power of hope!
This is what I am casting my vote towards on election day!

Patricia

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★