Dog potholders, cont.
Posted At: Monday, February 8, 2010 8:11 AM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Dog Potholders
Maria’s potholders (and Maria herself) have changed my life. Aside from the obvious, the potholders awakened me to the need for artists and writers to find ways to get their stories out to people, in a climate and culture that makes it difficult and expensive.
Her potholders are a triumph of art and reality at a time when people are running away from purchasing things like art. She has sold hundreds of potholders. She will not make as much money as Soho galleries, but her art is going out into the world, bringing people pleasure and utility at a price most can afford. So that inspired me to get off my butt and do some notecards. I think she is onto a new direction. Besides, this is fun. She is re-doing her website, changing her company name, exploring ideas like themed potholders – dogs and cats. She is sending her signal to the world, and it was not an easy process for her. I love Maria, but as importantly, I have enormous respect for her.
Lost America. Rte 22 A Vt. Flag on a barn
Posted At: Sunday, February 7, 2010 8:34 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Stars and Stripes on a barn, Rte 22 A, Vt.
Everywhere you drive in rural America, you see beautiful signs and symbols of Lost America, a land of individuality crushed by a corporate culture than can’t afford beauty, dignity or humanity. Or real patriotism, for that matter.
Farm Truck, Rte. 22 A, Vermont
Posted At: Sunday, February 7, 2010 5:19 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
My love for farm trucks grows, and I am living in the right place. They exude character and strength, and I always expect them to talk to me and tell me stories.
Dog Potholders
Posted At: Sunday, February 7, 2010 5:03 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Dog fabric. Dog potholders
Maria has gotten hold of some dog fabric and is making a few dog potholders – she plans more for next year. If the writing thing doesn’t work out, I can see us in Key West or San Jose selling potholders at various busy street corners. Has some appeal. The dogs could draw crowds. I think her potholders are neat. My notecards are up on the Redux website, for viewing and for sale.
Up at dawn – renewing the fear campaign
Posted At: Saturday, February 6, 2010 10:31 PM | Posted By: Jon Katz
Working for the cover
The covershoot campaign continues with my patient, media-savvy dogs taking their positions. Came closer this morning but I will give it a few more rounds.
In the two years since I realized I had issues regarding fear, and that fear was driving much of my life, I have used a number of tools to combat it. This blog, therapy, medication, Church, work with my dogs, conventional medicine, books, homeopathy, energy work, hospice work, writing, photography, psychiatry.
It’s been a tussle, I have to say. First, it took me much of my life to see I had a problem, and then the process of figuring out what to do about it. I have discovered this is an epidemic problem in modern America, which can be a stressful place, even before the Great Recession.
All of these tools have benefited me. Being open about this was a good move. I got a lot of encouragement, and it kept me from hiding from it again. Therapy has saved my life, I believe, and kept me from awful trouble and perhaps a grim fate. It has also opened the way for me to make powerful human connections, explore new and creative options, and begin to make room for life, rather than worry about life.
And to understand what happiness is. It is not a perfect life, or a life without pain, fear, loss or disappointment. Quite the opposite. It is the ability to deal with these things, which afflict all of us, and are an integral part of life. Few people e-mail me any longer about my having the perfect life, and I appreciate that. Not something I would want.
Recently, and to my surprise (isn’t this a theme in my life?) I am finding that meditation is helping me break through to another level, to quiet my mind, to see myself in healthy and revealing ways. I said at the beginning of this year that one of my goals was to learn how to be more peaceful within myself, something that is important to me. I am not there yet, but I am excited about pursuing the practices of Zen meditation. I am heading to a session this morning, leaving before dawn. Hoping to take photos along the way. Details to follow.
