Sarah*n*dipitous

Impossibilities

The world is full of walking, talking, breathing contradictions; things that are, by human understanding, impossible. I think about people who faced daunting tasks, seemingly impossible challenges yet overcame them only to redefine our human understanding of this or that. Medicine, science, mathematics, all those logical based disciplines that depend on empirical data sets and reproducible experimentations to prove or disprove, all hinge on the belief that things have to have an explanation of sorts. One cannot help but think that Nature takes great joy and daresay, sadistic pleasure, in presenting impossibilities each and every day just to keep humanity on it's toes. 

Today I watched a dragonfly hover in midair, fly backwards, and connect with another as a course of perpetuating the species I suppose, in perfect unison. One dragonfly in flight is miraculous, two in a coordinated perfection is nothing short of Divine. Master Leonardo DaVinci studied the dragonfly hundreds of years ago and we, as humanity, are no closer to being able to define the impossibility of it. Without impossibilities, innovation and inspiration would cease to exist. Perhaps Lewis Carroll had it correct when he penned Wonderland, that one really must think on at least 6 impossible things a day.

 

Makers

One of my favorite events to attend is Maker Faire. Truth be told, it does not really matter in which city or what time of the year it is held, it is a concept not a square on the calendar in my world.

Maker Faire is an event that is difficult to explain or define because it is something different to each person. For some it is a geek convention, others, a hacker reunion, it is a Lego village while others see it as a concert with Tesla Coil sparks of pure energy. Maker Faire is a steampunk revolution, a Bizarre Bazaar, a lecture on innovation, a display of alternative energy possibilities or even a choreographed Mentos and Coke Zero wonder of science. It is experienced through make n takes, various foods on a stick, a lifesize mousetrap game or in a knitting circle sipping tea and talking about the weather. As varied as the ideas of what Maker Faire is, the commonality that binds each and every person that walks the grounds and interacts within the event is that we are all Makers. We are the doers of things and thinkers of thoughts, the curious, the child like wonder trapped in an aging birthday suit. We are the "what-if" askers and the grease smudged foreheads, we are the growers of gardens and the wearers of the fantastic and outlandish. We are the product of our own making wrapped up in a Providential design that embodies a creativity only the original Maker could create. It is a celebration of what could be possible when we choose to marinate on the impossibilities of the here and now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentine

Many suggest and believe that Valentine's is a "Hallmark" holiday set aside to make those in distant places and alone feel even more isolated and alone. I'd like to believe it's like a Wonderland "Un-Birthday" when we choose to celebrate every day that isn't designated and circled in red as an opportunity to show those around us that they matter and that we care. It need not be the showy production, the flowers, chocolates, jewelry and tangible things, it can be a smile, a hand held in a dark time, or the window on the car scraped and the inside heated when you're running late. Let every day be Valentine's Day, a day where love is found in the sanctuary of another.

This is a Beehive or Spider Web Victorian Card. Thank You Tattered Angels, Clearsnap, Marcella, 3M, Fiskars, and Bic :)

 

Troll

When I was young, growing up here in Michigan, those that lived in the Upper Peninsula were called Youppers (You Pers) and those below the Mackinaw Bridge, we were Trolls. Like most seeped in Michigan lore and quirky "using your hand as a map to explain where you are from" colloquialisms, stories of Trolls and massive Lumber Jacks with a Blue Ox for a pet were things that are in your genetic code. The idea of Trolls though is something you need not be from Michigan to know anything about. Trolls are suckers for shiny objects and tend to attach themselves to things with shiny objects until said shiny object can be stolen and pilfered away or are no longer valuable. In the art world, as with most other professions in the corporate setting, there are many who gravitate towards the shiny new (you fill in the blank here) seeking hidden treasure and undue enrichment. Oftentimes, companies will seek out new talent and suck them dry of their ideas before they are aware and while they are still green and taken in with their own shiny objects (the promise of a bigger office, a brighter future, a paid off mortgage) to care. It has long been a belief of mine that we should teach mythology, Aesop, and a number of other cautionary tales to kids coming into the Creative Community and profession. There is a sense that because it is art, because it is a sharing type community that by proxy all people are working towards the common good when in fact, that simply may not be the case. Once upon a time there used to be the premise that if you make money, I make money... people had control over the destinies of sorts and income potential was only limited by their own vision. The Trolls would like to let folks believe that they have just as much "respect" for said such shiny object but, in reality, they covet it and will do what ever it takes to deprive it's own of said jewel.

If the creative community understood the value of what they brought to the table, I believe wholeheartedly they would guard it a bit better. Rather than discounting their work and talent they would be trained to want to partner with the companies they work with to mutually edify and enrich each other. Respect comes first from understanding the value of one's talents. As a creative community, we must come to agreement that there are collective standards and rates lest we give away our shiny jewels on a fool's gold quest.

Playful

The spirit of play is something we all need in order to continually feed the create muse and keep it healthy. Just as good food and exercise are good for the body and staying in shape, our Muse needs to be exposed to laughter and just old fashioned play and experimentation in order to grow. Many working artists lose track of time designated to just "new" work, retreats or even classes due to the busyness of trying to run a business and make a living from their creations. It comes to a point where many artists are spending more of their time staring at paperwork than blank canvases full of possiblitites waiting to be given a new life and exiestence.

In my studio, play is important, it is part of my job. My role as an innovator encompasses using existing products and materials in new unexpected ways for my clients; this by proxy means, I must get my hands dirty and machines are sacrificed for the greater craftiness good. The point is, I learn more from these playdates than I do with the set appointments I have more times than naught simply because there is no agenda, it is come what may. I encourage those in the creative community, be it in art, music, writing, theater, or dance to make sure to schedule play time and make it a part of the routine...

Nature's Playdoh Factory

There are times in life where the Universe is just trying to tell you something. Flipping through family photos of a vacation we took this Summer, I came across the "safari series"... This personal joke in our family is the "butt" of discussion in that every time we saw an animal, it was ALWAYS it's backside. It was almost as if once we were in the position to snap the picture the animal would dutifully turn and show us it's tail end. Now, for those with young boys, you will totally understand where I am going with this and how absolutely hysterical they thought this was. The crowning shining moment was when we reached the Elephant habitat. This massive creature was eating it's breakfast and like a giant playdoh factory, our now accustomed view of the animal, started spouting off one of the foulest sights I do believe one should ever have to see in a telephoto lens (I will spare you the extreme close up) 

The funny thing about this is, we can all relate; every person reading this understands. Why? Because it is a function of life. The stuff we put in one end, travels through and comes out the other. It is something so basic and so sometimes in your face, that it is hard to not laugh when you see it close-up and have the full 5 senses type experience one gets with a telephoto lens. What was so special about this moment was that the people we were sharing a vehicle with were not from the United States and did not speak English as their primary language yet, they laughed too. We all got it... kids, adults, people from different walks of life, languages and economies... we all got it. Good design, good art, good branding, good marketing, good communication and people skills, being a good friend, being a good human, it all is based on the things that transcend and speak to us all in a ways that connect us. And sometimes it is the most primary bodily function that sparks the conversation.

Flush

Toilets have got to be the one thing we never think of until we need one I suppose. I found this grouping particularly humorous considering they were outside of a Sorority along the brick wall and out of general sight. I had wished I would have had my camera out when we first drove by as there was a workman of some sort sitting on one reading a magazine and another eating his lunch- the whole thing was completely funny to me.

The interesting exchange afterwards though, was the most thought provoking and daresay interesting. My son mentioned that his absolute best thinking happens in the bathroom... he is 8 years old. Truth be told, I have to agree with him. The toilet, the shower, the bathroom in general, is somewhat of a sanctuary to almost every Mother I know who has young children around... it is the one place where you can go to have quiet. I have to admit too, I have sought solitude in the bathroom without having to use the facilities as simply an excuse and reason to escape. 

In art, as well as life in general, every person needs a place where they can think unfettered. The reality is, we seldom slow down and just to allow those thoughts to matriculate and end up documented somewhere. Oftentimes, we think of something and before we can write it down, it has escaped us never to be heard of again. The thought is, where do you slow down enough to actually ponder and, is there a pen and paper handy nearby to jot it down?

Stained Glass

I have always been drawn to old stained glass windows. I love the way that hidden in each pane is a story so lovingly told that is truly only appreciated and seen in all it's glory once the light shines through it. It's amazing that glass, with it's fragile nature, can be strong enough to weather storms and bring hope to those seeking refuge within the buildings they reside. How lamps, like the ones the famed Tiffany made, can bring a warm glow to even the coldest of rooms simply by being lit. 

People are like those ancient panes of stained glass. We are fragile, broken pieces of colored glass as a result of a life lived and yet, our stories are somehow lovingly pieced together and joined with metal and solder in such a way that when the sun returns, the light shines through us and reflects a story of redemption and hope to those who gaze upon us. As an artist, one must remember that we are entrusted with the ability to tell a story in many facets but, in order to do so, we must allow that light to shine through us in the process so that our audience can be inspired by the bigger picture.

Love Notes

One of my deepest longings is to have my house always be a place where the doors are open, the garden always welcoming, and the conversation that of substance (be it total laughter, deep and profound, or simply random) My highschool years were some of the best times of my life... around campfires with guitars, camping, rockclimbing, goofing off, and the amazing lifechanging conversations with folks that I can call up on the phone 20 years later because they "know" me and all the wonkiness that entails... they know where the proverbial bodies are buried and don't care.

Well, some of the most amazing folks in my world now are the ones who remind me of those carefree days, the complexities, the days where the impossible was talked about all the time and nothing seemed too far fetched. These little love notes were left by the people I know are going to do amazing things in the future. To some it seems like vandalism but truly, it isn't. It will all wash away with the next rain but, it's the marks that they made on my heart that make me smile. If you really want to be inspired, invest in youth. Spend your time giving that which you have learned and I mean this with every ounce of my being, you will be rewarded in incredible and profound ways. And guys, Beware the Shadow Ninja... hear she has a throwing star ;)

Wild Perennial

There is something to be said about wildflowers. They grow and flourish where they are planted. Today I was trying to explain to my children the difference between an annual and a perennial. In true kid fashion, the man child frankly stated that annuals were a "big 'ole waste." I think he was reflecting more on the fact that we have a vegetable garden and it's a lot of hard work to upkeep and from a purely selfish perspective, a plant you only have to plant once and that comes back year after year is definitely a better prospect. In our front yard are Irises that grow wild. We have no idea where they came from but, they continue to spread each year and they make me smile. That is Ellen's garden (named after my grandmother who taught me everything I know about art), a place where there are no "weeds, just misplaced plants...." Lilly of the Valley, Daffodils, Pansies and Crocuses all call that plot of land their home as well. I have seen these plants be completely wiped out by a late in the season snow or ice storm, that brush fire that got away from us, and even a flood situation that should have drowned them yet, they come back. Their tenacity is something I admire and strive to be more like in my own world. They do not complain about their circumstances, don't make excuses when they get covered in frost, they don't just wither away and die, no, they have almost a stubbornness to them that tells the world that they are tougher that the identification book said they would be.

Annuals are important, they serve an immediate need but, as a creative trying to earn a living through the things they make, think like a wildflower. Create deep roots and bloom in adversity. Use the surroundings and conditions you were dealt as an opportunity to flourish and above all stand tall. Think about this, where is a bloom more noticed, there among a bed of cultivated and meticulously arranged flowers or in a random unexpected place? Just a thought.

Makers

Makers are the folks that create something from nothing. They dream of the impossible and think of ways to defy conventional thinking to make it a reality.These are the anti-cookie cutter people that make this world a more interesting place. As I sit here and reflect on all that I learned and saw over these past few days, there are a few things that truly are profound and leave a lump in my throat to think about. The first is that, people chose to take their kids and folks hands down, went out of their way to accommodate, engage, and inspire the curious and absorbent mind of the children at Maker Faire. Many trade shows and conventions ask that children not attend because they are a inconvenience and have a way of slowing things down and getting in the way. Makers understand that it is investment in the children that create a better future. Makers are about sharing what is in their head with the people who want to know it and, it seems more often than not, true makers are people who have an amazing story to tell about how and why they made what they did... children love a good story. Secondly, every person I met and had the honor to speak to, never lost that sense of child-like wonder. It is something truly amazing to be in the company of folks who never stop asking questions, who's insatiable curiosity is contagious and the natural questions that occur in just exploring and observing the everyday come out from every pore of their beings. That proverbial "What If?" is on the tips of every tongue and the fantastic and imaginary are sitting there in front of you (A fire breathing Snail Car comes to mind). Maker Faire is about equipping people not only to think about the impossible but giving them the sandbox to keep failing until the impossible is a possibility and from there a reality.

Mother's Day

Being a Mom is by far one of the greatest treasures I could have ever imagined. I think when we are little and think about being a parent in general, the thought never crosses our minds that we will be forming the future. I was watching my daughter playing with her dolls and listening to her talk to them in her pretend world, I was overcome with a sense of awe. I am truly blessed to be able to watch from the cheap seats something incredible... the very seeds of what will change the world in a few short years from now. A friend of mine sent me this video sometime ago when it was featured at SxSW (Frickin' amazing event by the way folks) because she knew that Stand By Me is one of my favorite songs. Today it meant so much more simply because, as a Mom, each one of these folks chose to take the talents that were cultivated in them as children to profoundly affect the world- they made their Mothers proud.

It's True

Yes, I have been working on a huge project. I apologize to even my closest friends for not spilling the details until now.... you know I work in the Batcave and there are just some things I can't talk about.... Today I can finally talk about it a bit. As most of you know, my passion has always been about equipping people. I see a generation of folks who are insanely talented and we as a culture really letting them down in so many ways. People will do great things and make amazing things and invent the things we thought were not possible *if* you believe it and invest in that belief.

I have been asked to be on television... not just create stuff for television and other media as I have been doing for so many years... To create a television show that links making things with making a difference (inspired by the booth I did at CHA). After marinating on it for a bit, I have chosen to do this on Public Television with a significant online component because I believe that something worth doing should be available to all, not just those blessed with Cable. This is a huge step of faith because I do not even know if the sponsorship money will come in or whether I am the "right" person to do this however, I do know that I cannot waste the talents I have been given or the opportunity by not trying. The next months are going to be crazy (especially because I intend on continuing doing the writing/ teaching thing). I have been meeting with a number of my friends already on television and experienced in the behind the scenes stuff as well as industry leaders in technology, media, education, and of course in my own industry asking questions and figuring out if something like this is even possible. There have been a lot of dropped jaws and emotional tears...

This project is the biggest and most scary project I have ever thought up....a Pay It Forward. I have been encouraging my children and every one of my students (young and older) to do something worthwhile and make a mark on the timeline of history... I cannot live with myself in hypocrisy if I never put it into practice- especially as one who teaches. Once we have corporate sponsors for the first season solidified, we will start filming immediately here in Detroit. Filming week (most likely Aug.) will be a block party outside of the studio with crafters, artists, authors and musicians doing their thing and you are all invited.... what fun is making stuff and not sharing it? We are figuring out the liability issues but, my hope is that the set will be open and students will be allowed to work side by side with mentors that teach so much more than a mere textbook :) in all stages of production. I would not be where I am today without my mentors (thank you C, K, M.J. and S). I will reveal more details as I can.

Craft Stylish

Every once in a while you meet folks that are just plain cool. Once you meet them, you can't imagine your world without them in it. This year at CHA, I met some folks from the Craft Stylish booth that literally blew me out of the water. I was impressed by the fact that they transformed 350 magazines into booth decor and that even after show hours, they were crafting in their hotel rooms. I cannot list everyone because I just know I will forget someone and feel bad but, know this, there are still people in this world who are passionate about making the world a more vibrant place through innovative and amazing handcrafted goodness. These folks aren't in it for the money (heaven knows it isn't much), they are in it because they truly LOVE what they do. I am concerned about the fact that the print media is suffering in today's economy, and that folks have forgotten why writers and "imagineers" are important and worthy of their investment. This my friends is where innovation begins. It begins with a spark, an idea that spreads like wildfire and the investment by others that fan those flames. It is where addicts are created and fed with thought provoking and inspiring content provided by folks who never saw what they do as a "job" but more as a mission to make this world a brighter place. Every single person I met in that booth were passionate crafters themselves. They write from which they know and love and draw content from the things that inspire them to take their own personal crafting to the next level..... my kind of people. I encourage all to check out Craft Stylish for themselves.

Equipping

I am impressed with companies that choose to equip folks to do amazing things rather than serve on a platter things to be done. What does this mean? Well, it is easy to design a project and then instruct the client to cut and paste and paint it to look like the sample on the box but, it is a whole thing entirely to create a machine that enables the client to make whatever they want and give their imagination wings and a voice to the voiceless.

I am not easily blown away by the things I see in the crafting industry. I am a total geek when it comes to art and crafting supplies and truly, if you saw my studio, you'd understand the extent of my neurosis. This Winter CHA (Craft and Hobby Association Convention) the bell of the proverbial ball was hands down Provo Craft and their new Yudu silk screening machine. For the first time in a long time I felt, as an instructor, a giddiness about the fact that my students would truly be equipped to do great things. This isn't merely a t-shirt making machine, it can print on all sorts of surfaces and what's more, it enables folks to create for pleasure or for profit. For the first time, a company decided from the beginning to create something that inherently could change the world- by giving the consumer a voice and a platform to change the world. I remember silk-screening t-shirts as a kid for various political campaigns. It was a cheap way to get our message (don't ask me what it was, I was 5 or 6 at the time but, all the adults around me thought it was important....) out to the public in a meaningful way. With the advent of places like Etsy and Ebay, there are now the outlets for the everyday Joe or Jane to profit from their ideas for the first time in history without a middle man snaking their hard earned dinero. I was impressed on so many level with this machine but moreso, with the vision of the company on a whole. Seeing this whole thing come together from a industry insider did not prepare me for the real world debut and the response from the crafting community at CHA. I can't wait to use this in my classrooms and intend fully on having machines (yeah, you read that correctly...multiple machines) available for folks to use to give their own ideas a voice. Provo posted this video and I think it gives you an idea about why I am excited. Enjoy and spread the word.