Pulse

This piece just found a new home. It is a piece dedicated to the victims of the massacre in the Pulse nightclub last year in Orlando.

The names of each victim are on a scroll, which rests inside an individual bead, making up the heart in the middle. The number representing those killed and injured are displayed using church attendance numbers.

21 Cents That Chain Us

Hey Arties,

I wanted to share a little more about this art piece and how it came to be. This past year, I offered an after school art class and had 12 students from the ages of 7- 12 sign up. The class was about finding your inner visionary and we discussed some of the artist featured at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. If you have not been you should check it out.

Anyway, I wanted the students to push themselves to create "something" out of trinkets and left over pieces of things others had abandoned. I wanted them to connect with the material and put something on the canvas that represented them as an artist.

This led me to lead by example. About the time the class was taking place, there was a great deal of media coverage about the Michael Brown shooting. I learned that young black males were 21 times more likely to be shot and killed by police than their white counterparts. This is not OK with me.


As I went in front of the students every week, I would bring this canvas with me so they could see it transform into the final piece of art. We talked about the two Statue of Liberties in the background and how we divide ourselves. We talked about the bubbles we all live in and how that keeps up from seeing other people and learning from them as we also teach them about ourselves.

We talked about the history in the country when it comes to racism and how we all must do better and that it all starts with each of them.

There was one young man, who upon seeing this final canvas looked at the other kids and said, "We have to change all of this! We have to make things better for everybody."

It made my eyes water and my heart full that this group of 12 kids could see the meaning behind the work and were unafraid to embrace the work that needs to be done to make a difference.

The art they presented back to me was unbelievable, complex, funny, deep and meaningful. I will carry the images of them presenting their work to their parents with me always and see their faces as they told their stories.

As for me, this piece is hanging on my wall and it has become one of those pieces I am finding hard to let go. I am sure the right person or organization will come along that fits into the message it conveys. If that happens, I will sell it or donate it and move onto the next piece in the hopes it speaks as deeply to the kids as this one.

This was constructed using a bunch of different things, but the outside edge of the canvas is framed with construction strapping. I liked the way it looks and will be using it again on other pieces.

I hope you like it.

Street Art Project in Annapolis, MD

Hey everyone,

Sorry I about not having an update the past couple of months, but I have been damn busy with art projects and have not had much time to just sit and be. Lucky for you I have a headache today and have time to write an update and what an update it will be!

I had the honor of being asked to help design and implement a street art project here in Annapolis, MD on a 7 ft tall fiberglass chicken!

Seems the local arts council allowed a group to place the decorated chickens all around West street, and my kiddo's school had a chicken sitting around since last May, which needed a little direction to fully hatch. So, I accepted the invitation to participate and here is how it turned out in photos!

We had 157 children and all the staff participate by adding an international flag to the bird. It is the only bird within the project to have that level of participation. MICH stands at nearly 8 ft tall with his Mohawk and has traveled the world at least twice, based on his passport stamps and flag collection.

His Mohawk spells MICH in nautical flags, to pay honor to the Annapolis area. MICH is indeed one of the most colorful birds on the block, and we are all very pleased with the way it turned out. 

MICH is currently standing outside of the Metropolitan Restaurant on West Street in Annapolis, MD. It is the coolest thing artistically I have ever done!

Gallup-McKinley County Schools

Hey arties!

I wanted to give you a quick update. I have contacted Mr. Ray Arsenault the Gallup-McKinley County Schools, in the hopes he can direct me about making a donation to the schools after the art sale starting July 1st at Jerry's Artarama. I will provide more information as soon as I hear back. I may split the donation with the Tuba City Unified School District, which was featured on NPR,  if I can find the contact information and find out how to make it happen.

In case you have not been following the story, because of the idiots in Washington, DC the sequester has really hit the Native American population. Here is a quote from Dr. Heather Shotten, President of the National Indian Education Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the education of Native American students.

"For our Native students in federally impacted schools, the effects of sequestration are devastating because these are real dollar cuts in real time from district and school budgets," NIEA President Dr. Heather Shotton said. "Since these districts are often serving our children on reservation as well as federal property that the districts cannot tax, these districts cannot simply find other sources of funding to make up for lost dollars."

I truly believe each of us can make a small, yet positive impact on others. For me, the way to do it is through my art. I am donating 100% of all profits from any art that is sold to this school system in the hopes they can use the funds for something critical they need.




I can provide 100% of their budgetary needs, but I can send them something to show I am behind them and that I hear their frustration as a fellow human being. I can extend my hand in friendship and understanding in the hopes they will not give up. The children and communities need some love right now, and there is an endless supply of it, if you can open your eyes and hearts to see it and send it.

I plan on posting something longer tomorrow, to show the art I have for sale along with the prices and ways to purchase. I set up a mobile banking option for ease of payment for those of you outside my area. If you want to discuss a piece of art, please contact me via the buttons on the right side of your screen.

Until next time, peace and well being.

CJ

Abstract Endeavors Zazzle Store

Well, I did it finally! I have opened an account on Zazzle.com, which will allow you the opportunity to own a little art I have created. I am adding tons of things today and over the next few weeks. I get a small percentage of each sale, 50% of which will go towards buying supplies for the schools I contract with in order to help them cut costs and still create art. So, if you are inclined, check it out. I may also open an Etsy spot, to sell original art with 100% of the profits going towards supplies for the school projects. I am currently drowning in my own art and need to downsize a little.



Stay tuned for more stuff soon!
Peace and Light!

Artist Trading Cards- Series 2 50/50