Dandy Lion

All of my life I have known that Dandelion is a weed, a very important one in nature, but have you ever heard of a Dandy Lion?  Well, neither had I until today at the Lowe Art Museum. 

We had our regularly scheduled meeting, but to our surprise, we were given a sneak peek at the new exhibit, Dandy Lion. To add even more excitement to this preview, we had a tour of the exhibit by Shantrelle P. Lewis, the curator. 

What exactly is a Dandy?  A Dandy (per Wikepedia) is a man who dresses elegantly and fashionably, He exaggerates his manners, including the way he stands and moves, and the way he speaks. He promotes himself. This Dandy Lion exhibit "highlights young men in city-landscapes who defy stereotypical and monolithic understandings of Black masculinity by remixing Victorian-era fashion with traditional African sartorial sensibilities." It is a way of young black men to express their sense of fashion, individuality and creativity. Fashion has always been used by black men to rebel and stand out. These emerging photographers and film makers bring us the black man as an individual with style and artistry, no longer a thug with sagging pants as shown by the media. This pride in appearance, demands respect.

 

The exhibit makes you look at these beautiful creations, in far away and local places, as well as the Dandy as a day-to-day member of his community. Shantrelle P. Lewis is not only articulate and knowledgeable as she discusses the exhibit, but you leave wanting more. She is excited and passionate about this Dandy Lion project.

Here's a video for your enjoyment. Click HERE.

Effect of Creating

I recently started thinking how creating has always been a way to either calm me or uplift me, depending where life has taken me. I started to remember the time my husband joined the Air Force and I had to move with him to Colorado. I was leaving behind everything that I knew and that  felt comfortable. I was working and going to school and all of my family and friends were in Miami. Not to mention a BIG change in the landscape and weather. As a young girl, suddenly having nothing happening in my daily life, I was down in the dumps. My husband told me to go to the base and find something of interest. I decided to join a ceramics class. I did not know a thing about molds, slip and glazing, but I was soon immersed in creating. My entire family received something I made while healing. Just as I was in the swing of a new passion, we had orders to move to Fort Walton Beach. 

The only ceramic piece I have made in 1976.

Another major change, no family, no friends, no ceramics and the hormonal changes because I was pregnant. I was ready to pack up and move to Miami. A friendly, elderly lady in the building, saw me pregnant, and lonely,  and decided to teach me how to knit and crochet. She had no idea, but she was my life-saver. She got me the supplies, which I could not afford, and asked me to join the knitting group in the building.......all seniors.  The creative side of me took off with a brand new passion. 

One of the many pieces I have made since then.

After the baby came, I was very busy, but soon needed to do something,  since the baby already had blankets, booties, hats, sweaters, and more. My husband again stepped in and said that I should go to the town's recreation center and see what I could take up. He would watch the baby and give me a few hours to disconnect. I joined an oil painting class. I always sketched, but knew nothing about colors and mixing them. The rest is now history. I continued to paint for the next thirty years. As retirement was approaching eight years ago, I took up watercolors and acrylics. I also started to sell my creations on line in preparation for those long hours that awaited me with nothing to do. I must say that creating is a way of life for me now. I tell everyone that  making art is much cheaper than paying for a therapist. 

My first oil painting done in 1977.

Zentangle Shells

I live in Miami so the beach is just 20 minutes away. Before that,  I lived in a tropical island, Cuba. The sea, and all its treasures,  has always been a part of my life. One of my favorite things to do at the beach is not sitting around and getting a tan, but walking the seashore and picking up its treasures, primarily shells.  My shell collection is huge and just keeps growing. 

Recently I was working on another passion of mine, Zentangle. I decided to get my Prismacolor marker and doodle on some of the shells that have enough drawing space on them. The result has been addictive. It is also a way to sketch at the beach and all I need to take with me is a marker. 

The question now is what to do with all these little pieces of art. The business side of me will not allow for these to just sit here......they must find a new home. I have decided to put a ribbon on them so they can be hung anywhere. I will definitely have a few of these on my Christmas tree. How about you?

The Watering Can

As I watered my African violets this weekend with my little watering can, I thought about how long I had it. It turns out that it is 38 years old. 

How do I remember that? I was pregnant and living in Fort Walton Beach, Florida where my Air Force husband had been transferred. I did not know anyone, did not have a car and I guess my loneliness showed. One day as I went to get the mail, an elderly lady, Mrs. Hall, became my friend at the mail box. She grew beautiful violets and decided that I needed a plant. She brought me my first African violet and the small watering can. This small act started a lifelong love for these beautiful plants and made me feel better at the time. 

Mrs. Hall did not stop there. She belonged to a knitting club at the building and invited me to join the other seniors. She taught me to knit and crochet. Again, she showed up with my carrying case, needles and yarn. She thought it would be a good idea to start knitting for the baby. I learned and made my son, Timmy, a few things. Since then, I have knitted for may family members and friends. A small act that changed my life and has lasted a lifetime.

Mrs. Hall was not just there to provide me with creative outlets to relieve my loneliness; she was also available to take me anywhere, visit with me and the baby and much more. She was the grandmother I never had. After I moved away, we continued to write to each other and exchange photos until one of my letters was mailed back from her son letting me know she had passed. 

It was sad to lose her, but her gifts are still here with me. Has anyone influenced you this way? Are you sharing your gifts with others? It's life changing!

Creativity is Universal

Making a living as an artist is not easy. It is a profession that lacks traditional benefits and job security. You often find that artists must have a day job to be able to survive and create during their free time. I, and many other artists I know, did not create full time until we were able to financially do it.

As I traveled to some countries on my recent vacation, I found creative people who have decided that their passion to create is greater than the financial gain and security that a traditional job may bring them. Their passion to create provides them with other benefits. When people genuinely enjoy their profession and are motivated by their passion, they tend to be more satisfied with their work and more psychologically healthy.  

Create.....any way you can!

Lady on the left embroidering/selling needle work in Budapest. Lady on the right selling hand made items in Prague

Musicians on the left playing at the Charles Bridge. Harpist playing on the street in Vienna.

Purchased this original watercolor from the artist painting right below (center).

Artists painting and selling everywhere.