10 February

Show Your Soul Posters – Artist Statement For The Times, Catching On

by Jon Katz
Artist Statement For The Times

Maria and I have been talking a lot lately about what it means to be political. In our country, it often means joining one of two political parties, or accepting one of two labels (left and right). If you think outside either of those suffocating boxes, then it often seems there is no political place to exist. Even the act of independence is considered a political party, and is.

We have strong beliefs, but labeling ourselves and arguing with people are not among them. I see politics as the shrinking of the American mind. Yet we are political, we have beliefs. So our choice is to live our values, not fight about them. To not argue, but to do good as we see it.

I choose to support the refugees coming to America, I have never argued about it with anyone, and have no intension of doing so. Everyone is and ought to be free to make up their own minds.

For Maria, her politics is her art, it shows up the time in her works that speak to independence, finding voice, and standing in truth. This week, she took one of her creations – the “Show Your Soul” goddess featured in her last quilt, had some posters printed up and we have spent some time these chilly couple of days riding and walking around and putting them up on telephone polls.

They are a statement about finding your ground in a world of division and hostility. Show your soul. As happens sometimes on the Internet, these posters have become a thing. Lots of people want them and are asking to buy them.

Maria plans to have them printed on heavier paper and to sell them when she returns from India, she hasn’t yet figured out a price or a format. Obviously, no time to do that now. But I see they are powerful, and they speak to many people. Maria lives her values, she shows her soul every day and I was quite proud to be her driver and helper. More to come. Stand by.

15 March

Video: The New “Show Your Soul” Posters Are On Sale:$16.

by Jon Katz

I am excited to post this video Maria and I (and Fate) made this morning in the living room (the studio is unreachable in the snow). Her “Show Your Soul” posters have struck a deep nerve, many people – women especially – seem to grasp the idea intuitively. It was sparked by something Clarissa Pinkola Estes wrote, that in difficult times, we must “show our souls,” be who we really are, find our voice. Again and again.

This inspired a quilt, then the posters. Before she went to India, Maria was flooded with requests from women who wanted to take them on the Women’s March. She promised to have them printed and offered for sale when she got back, and she has done that, they went on sale the other day and the first printing is sold out.  She has the second printing in hand.

As a man, I am touched by these posters as well. This is my practice, rather than arguing or panicking or complaining – to do good as often as I can, without drama or rationalization.

Come and see. Fate, who minds everyone’s business around her, actively participated in the video. The posters cost $16, including shipping, and Maria takes Paypal and checks.

These You Tube videos we are doing have been very successful, drawing at least 1,000 views, drawing existing and new people to Maria’s work. On the video, you can see the posters, learn what inspired the idea and hear Maria explain it herself. Pretty neat. Come and see.

13 March

Onsale Now: The “Show Your Soul” Posters. $16.

by Jon Katz
Show Your Soul: $16

Maria’s very timely “Show Your Soul” posters are on sale today, she picked them up at the printer and he did a great job. They feature the “Show Your Soul” goddess from one of her quilts, and they sell for $16, which includes shipping. Maria is not looking to make money from the posters, she says they are about the need to show your soul in difficult times, and to keep showing your soul again and again and again.

They are about being true to yourself, not about defying other people are arguing with them.

Maria has a lot of orders for these posters, and picked up 30 today.

Most are already sold, but she can order more almost instantly from the printer. I imagine she will need some more. This goddess is a favorite of mine. If you want to order one, you can e-mail her at [email protected] or learn more about them on her website, fullmoonfiberart.com.

4 October

Photo Show: Come See My Nine Flower Photo Show, Just For You. Free, There’s Nothing For Sale, No Photo Of Me, No Posters, No E-Mail Lists, No Stories, No WIne Or Pastries

by Jon Katz

I had a good day today, and I’m going for 100 percent. It’s cloudy and rainy – again, but I got a beautiful letter from Killian, my mentoree, we had a lovely meditation class at the Mansion, and my friend, Mansion Aide Tania Woodward, is going on and up to be a doctor’s assistant at St. Peter’s Hospital (we will miss you, sister, thank you), the books we ordered for the Bishop Gibbons English Training For the Refugee kids are arriving.

Tonight, Killian sent me the first five pages of his horror story. I can’t wait to read them.

And as it started to rain, I got cocky and decided to go out and try to take ten beautiful photos from my garden bed and put on my own private flower portrait show.

 

I love the freedom to take my photos for myself and those who read my blog. I’m not looking for fame, money, publicity, good reviews, or fancy, over-hyped art shows. There’s nothing wrong with artists making money; it’s just a miracle and joy to keep cash and the pressure of selling things out of it. It’s an honor for me to have this solo show.

No fancy galleries, nothing to sell or buy (no fancy snacks, tho), no posters all over town,  and no snobs to fuss about. I miss my friend George Forss, the brilliant photographer and alien investigator; he was an artistic genius who knew how to put a show together.

We both had the same ideas about what a show was. And neither of us made much money that night.

 

I did a lot of good today; it feels almost perfect. In a few weeks, all my flowers will close up and pass away, so I’m taking advantage of my remaining to wallow in their beauty. I’m doing my show.

One of the high points of my photography life was doing a show with George. I was honored to team up with him and do a show together. He had given up on promoting himself as well.

George is now up in the galaxy talking show with the aliens.

 

This photo looks like a landscape to me, not a Begonia; it is haunting.

I love you, George, and think of you often. I know you are listening.

I see this as a pure show, with no critics, snobs, second-guessers, nothing for sale, and nothing to buy. I understand how difficult it is for artists to make money, especially photographers. I wish them all good luck and prosperity.

I hope you enjoy seeing it as I have putting it together. I thank my Iphone 13 Pro Max and My Leica 2 for their assistance.

An artist I know has posters and pictures of herself all over town advertising a show she’s having in a small town up the road.

I’m going pure. My photos are just for me, just for you. Free at last.

 

 

My photos, as always, are free; they are not watermarked or copyrighted; they are yours to use as you wish, and blessings to you for liking them.

I’m on track to have a wonderful day. I’m going to cook some Farro grains for tonight’s stir-fry and then read my mystery. Score!

 

 

I’m fortunate to take these rich and colorful photos in early October. I thought my garden bed would be gone by now, but flowers I didn’t know existed are beginning to pop up, along with Begonia’s, Marigolds, and Mums. I have more colorful photos to come for a while, more things to learn.


 

I’m surprised every time I get the camera out and go outside. The colors, the shapes, the souls, and the sense of birth and death, it’s different every day. I am learning about flowers and light, where the sun is, what angle to take, and what camera to use. I hope to bring this spirit into the Fall.

 

 

Flowers, like human beings, begin to die the moment they are born. It’s fantastic watching this spectacle of nature. Mother Nature is putting on the show; I’m just taking pictures of it and looking forward to the rest of the week. My Zoom meeting in the morning, ukelele lessons on Thursday. Good Lord.

Thanks for coming to my show. I hope you enjoyed it, and I thank you for looking at my pictures.


 

 

27 April

Video. Maria’s “Show Your Soul” Postcards, New And Now For Sale

by Jon Katz

A couple of months ago, Maria created her Defiant But Gentle Goddess, a response to the edgy times we are living in.

Her posters have been very popular, and so she decided to also offer an inexpensive alternative for the many people who expressed an interest in the “Show Your Soul” idea, a tonic and an affirmation these days. On the video, she explains the idea and where it came from and why she is making and selling “Show Your Soul” postcards, you can order them directly from her at [email protected], they are six for $10 plus shipping.

Bedlam Farm