Art Connected

Art Connected ~ The name came from an e-mail I wrote to my friend, Marissa, in Romania at 8:00am. In my morning stooper, I mistyped. It happens to everyone with an iPhone, and a lot more often than we'd like I'm sure... but something about it made me keep it.

This is what I wrote to her:
I'm so excited that we're doing this together even though we're an ocean appart. It means so much to me that we art connected.

Ok, I meant 'are connected', but it turned out to be art instead. Horray for Freudian slips! I was, afterall, looking for a name for the art show I was putting on at my gym, Boulevard Fitness. At first, I was terrified to do a show because there were only 6 pieces from my collection and 4 from Impact Visual Arts. So in this big, wide space there were 10 total. Not enough I assure you with a yoga room, loft, and front reception areas to fill.

I put out the call to every artist and friend I knew. Miraculously, they started to come forward. One by one, and then 2 more and then finally there were 11 of us including  Marissa and my late Uncle Stan. With over 40 pieces of art, 3 vendors, the most delicious buffet, and a live musical guest... we were rockin'! All of this came from the artists and their friends.

Annie & Family

Thank you to all of my friends and readers who came! Even if you weren't able to make it (or I skipped you on the invite list SO SORRY)... the art is still up and we'll for sure have another event in the near future.

Dia de los Muertos

In celebration of the dead, Dia de los Muertos provided a joyous opportunity to honor and share my love for those who have passed. My dear friend, Juan, invited me to the procession from Sherman Heights to Chicano Park. What an experience! I started the evening by viewing the many altars at the Community Center in that same area. Each one was unique, made with devotion, and the purest intention of staying connected. Some had beer, snacks, and Chargers paraphanalia... just the little things that matched the personality and spirit departed.

I met up with Juan and we got our makeup done. Don't we look drop dead gorgeous!?!? We carried candles and paraded down the streets of the Barrio behind the large pick-up truck carrying the Aztec dancers and alongside the low riders. It was a MIX. The drumming would start, and then the hydraulics would go, and I would just start cracking up looking at this mish-mash of history and modernity.

At the park, we met up with more friends and watched the dancers form a circle and perform. Each dance had a different beat and set of movements, but many were similar and blended into the next one. I was told that they go for an hour straight, and that is part of the ritual. Whew... if you did this kind of dancing, you would be fit in no time! It requires stamina and lots of quad strength.

The crowd was invited to give an offering to the great alter in the center. I gave my candle. Before you set your offering, you are blessed and cleansed with incense. It smelt amazing, like a mellow pine flavor. So subtle and yummy. Reminded me a lot of copal, the incense that the Mayans used and still use today in Guatemala. I bought some on my trip in '07. I might have a few nuggets left even.

In reflection, my blog seems to be one continuous altar. It's a living, expanding connection to a life and a life lived ~ a writing alter. I like that idea! I just read that an alter is 'a place to grow the soul', and that's exactly how I feel about this blog. It has pictures, video, poetry and story. All it needs is a sugar skull, a few candles, some marigolds... and I'm set.

Bessos mi amigos! Here's to life and its great cycle!

Peace Hero

Last weekend I had the privilege of seeing Jane Goodall up in San Francisco. She's a beautiful, tranquil, and powerful woman. Everything you thought she is an more. Admittedly, I thought she had passed away. Wouldn't that be embarrassing? 'Hi Jane, you're amazing, but I thought you were dead.'

Nope! She's very much alive, strong and extremely active for a 76-year-old. She travels 300 days out of the year promoting her institute and youth program ~ Roots & Shoots. http://www.janegoodall.org/

How did I meet miss Jane? Well, I got involved with an amazing organization called Kids for Peace. Every year they select a special person to give their 'Peace Hero Award'. This year, Jane won. She was up against some stiff competition such as Dwayne Johnson (aka THE ROCK). http://www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org/

She spoke to the kids, the adults, and to all of our hearts. Her message is to stop wars. Not just wars with each other, but the war on the environment. That big war that we all need to be aware of. It's what causes disease in all walks of life and poisons the food chain that we are all part of.

I saw the documentary, The Cove, that weekend. It's about the dolphin slaughter in Japan. The dolphins are killed because the government says that they are pests... eating too much of the fish, and not seeing the real problem! Overfishing. They justify the killing by providing free meat to the school children who then suffer from mercury poisoning. Makes you question ~ what is in the food we eat, the air we breath, the water we drink, the products we put on our bodies and in our hair? Coal tar found in anti-dandruff shampoos ~ not good for ya ~ just found out I need to switch mine.

So let us all be peace heros, to ourselves, our families, friends, communities and our environment. And feel free to share... Who is your Peace Hero? Living, dead, or even if you just thought they were dead... they all count.
My peace hero ~ Christiane Amanpour. If you watched the news coverage for Desert Storm during the early 90's you saw her for sure. She was a news correspondent for CNN and many other news networks. She's brave, intelligent, courageous, and when she speaks you trust her. Thank you, Miss Amanpour, for standing as a true force in the reporting and being honest in a dangerous world.

Committing to Self

Kicking, screaming, knocked down and drug out - I am committing to myself. Someone grab the contract 'cause I've got blood on my finger tip.

Have you ever been in one of those positions where you've ran out of options? You have one thing left and one thing only... and that is you. Yes I am one drama princess tonight, but it' been a while since I've typed and I feel like cutting loose.

It's just me, my writing, and my art. That's mi corazon right there. I've hid behind a job, a boyfriend, other people's dreams, and layers of self-doubt. Time for some disrobing. Ahhhh ~ Annie in the NUDE. 

As you may already know, I did un petit art show at Mosaic Winebar. This time, I'm doing a show for real where I will be there for the duration of the show and invite ya'll and give you plenty of notice so you can block out this date:

NOVEMBER 13th

Boulevard Fitness on El Cajon Blvd.~ yes this is a gym

8:00-10:00pm

And there you have it!

Bridge Point
Photograph on Metal
By Anne E. Macpherson

Goodbye to Summer

Sarah and I went to beach on Friday. My initial thought was to head to yoga, but I wasn't in the mood. The sea was calling me.

I drove around Coronado until I found the perfect spot. How do I know it was the perfect spot? Well, someone had already been there, and they left their cigar. That's some enjoyment right there! I perched on top of the rock wall and just watched the waves high five the shore.

I've always had this vision of writing on the beach. Like it's some distant 'if I became an author, my office would be the beach'. Just taking the laptop and a beach chair, but I always worry about sand getting stuck in the keys. Maybe just a journal and pen?

What's interesting is that this is a simple vision. Not like I need tons of money or world recognition in order to achieve this goal. Writing on the beach is simple, you just do it and it is free. I once had this conversation with an old boyfriend of mine years ago - 'What would you do if you had a million dollars?' His was just as simple, he wanted to work for REI or Starbucks. I told him to choose one, and with a little coaxing... he gave up his job as a stockbroker and followed his heart. He worked his way up from a grunt to becoming an Assistant Store Manager at REI, and he loves it.

As we come the Autumn Equinox and Summer comes to a close ~ I realized that it's been 5 years, and I'm just now following my own advice. Sometimes I think I need permission to follow my passion. The fact that I'm passionate is permission enough, and thankfully... Sarah and AJ gifted me with the motivation.

Tea Ceremony in the Garden

If you don't know already... I have what I like to think as a 'healthy' obsession with Japanese culture, gardens, and especially the tea ceremony. It started as a child when I was innocently watching Sesame Street and then all of a sudden, they showed a tea ceremony and I was hooked like Velcro ~ I could not take my eyes away from the screen.

The motions are controlled, precise, and delicate. The ritual is mesmerizing, and the best thing is that it involves food. You had me at 'snack.'

Lucky for me, my parents had decided  to participate in an exchange program with our local church and take a Japanese student into our home. Ritsuko, how I adored her! She melted my little 5-year-old heart and opened my big blueberry eyes to a world beyond my own. She dressed me in a kimono and cooked for my family. Rice, miso soup, and the sticky-as-glue mochi. You know how cool it is to eat mochi icecream now? Well, I was cool like over 20 years ago.

Last week, in the Japanese Friendship Garden, they were performing a Tea Ceremony in front of the majestic koi pond. I cannot tell you how geeked-out I was. When she asked for volunteers to participate, my hand shot up like a lightening bolt ~ just like a kid asked who wants to do show-and-tell? I didn't even think twice. It was a sudden impulse and I didn't even hear the question. I raised it when she barely said the words 'who wants...'

The tea ceremony is called Chado in Japanese (pronounced Sado). She made each cup individually with meticulous and special care. A few scoops of dark green powder are put into the cup, and then whisked with a bamboo utensil with vigor. She prepared thick tea which has a very smooth and frothy texture. Not bitter like other green teas.

She says to her honored guest, Please have a sweet. And then the preparation begins. The vestibule (emblem or design) of the teacup is pointed towards the guest. When you receive it, you view the cup, take it in the left hand, and then turn it twice clockwise so that the vestibule is faced once again towards the person who prepared the tea. This action says 'I am honored, but I humble myself and honor you instead.'

Just as the she prepares the tea... I prepare this blog and picture vestibule for you ~ Domo arigato gazaimasu

Releasing the Artist Within

On August 18th I unveiled March on the Bridge. It is my very first piece of art to be displayed in public. Those lovely people surrounding me are my parents and it was a proud moment for sure.

I took the shot one March afternoon during my visit to New York to see my sister. We took the subway to Brooklyn just to walk back to Manhattan over the famous bridge.

My mom's friend, a professional photographer, saw potential and helped it along with a little photoshop magic. I hooked up with a good friend and a great company, Impact Visual Arts, to have the image printed on aluminum ~ that's what makes it UBER SHINY.

 It showed at Mosaic Winebar in North Park ~ my hood ~ for 2 weeks and now it is going to be shipped to its rightful space - my sister's apartment in Queens.

Special thanks to mi amigo, Juan, for coming out and celebrating this special moment with me, and for taking the family photo.