Indivisible: Lori Martin

I am pleased to post square number 42 created by Lori Martin of the New Haven Friends Meeting stitch group:

 Mixed media on fabric, 2016.

The sewn image in the center of this work can be seen in many references throughout history. One of the most common is as a reference to the dove and olive branch from the Biblical old testament story about Noah and the massive flooding of the earth.  In the story, the dove brings back an olive branch that meant land was nearby and the rains are over - it was a symbol of hope. According to another source, the use of the olive branch goes back to ancient Greece and Rome, in which the olive branch represented peace. This image is often seen as "the Dove of Peace." Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Girl Scout Troop 7126

I am happy to present square number 41, another great piece created by a girl from Kim Hiller Connell's Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout troop of Manhattan, KS:

Water media on paper, 2016.

This works shows a rainbow with hearts, arching over the American flag.  If you look closely, the flag contains the Girl Scout trefoil symbol. The three trefoil leaves represent the three aspects of the Girl Scout promise.

The work was created by using mark-making implements such as straws, cotton swabs, feathers and other non-conventional tools.  No brushes were used. Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Julio Panisello

I am very proud to present square number 40 created by terrific friend, artist and art educator Julio Panisello:

Poop Pansy, paint on fabric, 2017.

Julio works in a wide variety of media, but much of his art is rooted in his painting practice. He often takes figures and objects and juxtaposes them in off-kilter compositional arrangements and humorous ways. "Poop Pansy," is a startling reminder that in spite of all of the current political turmoil, good things can grow from the manure. Check out more of Julio's work on his website: http://www.juliopanisello.com/

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon

I am so pleased to present square number 39, another wonderful work created by LA-based educator, historian and good friend Sharon Sekhon:

Hope, photograph, 2016.

This beautiful image says it all. Nothing can renew the mind or the spirit like the amazing colors of the sky during a sunrise or a sunset.  During a tumultuous time, it can be quite grounding. Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Janne Larsen's 2D students

I am happy to present square number 38, a striking image created by a high school student in Janne Larsen's 2-D art class at Pilgrim School:

 Humanity, colored pencil on paper, 2016.

The importance of teaching the arts and having art programs available throughout a child's formal education cannot be overstated. And art truly does save lives! I am so very pleased to have young people participating in this project. Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Girl Scout Troop 7126

I am pleased to present square number 37 created by a girl from Kim Hiller Connell's Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout troop of Manhattan, KS:

Water media on paper, 2016.

Such a beautiful work. On a wet, rainy here in Los Angeles, post-Valentine's Day, who doesn't like flowers?  This piece was created by using mark-making implements such as straws, cotton swabs, feathers and other non-conventional tools.  No brushes were used. Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon

I am so very pleased to present square number 36 created by lovely Los Angeles friend, arts supporter and terrific teacher, Sharon Sekhon:

Humor, photograph, 2016.

Sharon did wonderful photographs using subjects in and around Los Angeles. Each photograph represents one of the seven themes listed from the original post for the call for art for the Indivisible Project.  I love the image above - the small dog's encounter of the large tortoise makes me smile.  (Their names are Nellie Oleson, the dog, and Gamara, the tortoise.) We definitely need to hold to our sense of humor, especially during trying times. Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Anne Burns

I am pleased to present square 35 created by Anne Burns of the New Haven Friends Meeting stitch group:

Sewing and 3-D elements on fabric, 2016.

This lovely square contains 3-D elements - (2) yin and yang symbol pins and a peace symbol pin. With all of the noise and nonsense occurring and being reported in news and various media sources, we need to remember to hold onto a bit of mental peace and balance in our life, take care of ourselves and focus on what is important to us and where we want to put action in order to see change.  Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project! 

Indivisible: David Trulli

I am excited to present square number 34 by Los Angeles artist David Trulli:

Custom print of a drawing on fabric, 2016.

David chose Unity for his theme, and he describes this piece as "fence and ivy," noting "...that the ivy grows through the fence and relies on it for support."  In the art world, David is know for his dramatic black and white scratch board works.  You can see these on his website here.  As a former cinematographer, he approaches his subjects from dynamic angles; the contrasts of stark black and white add to the tension and drama enfolding in his work.  I am very honored that he has participated in the Indivisible Project!  Please keep sending your squares.

Indivisible: Holly Boruck

I am very pleased to present square number 33, a beautiful painting created by Altadena artist, Holly Boruck:

Connections, paint on canvas, 2016.

Holly's painting is a reminder of how we are all interconnected. Holly is a multitalented individual - an artist, educator and a curator.  Check out more of her terrific work here: www.hollyboruck.com/

Holly is also the creator of Surrogate Gallery Projects. Per the website, Surrogate Gallery Projects embraces "...the 'pop-up' format to produce a minimum of two exhibitions a year creating experiences that are unexpected, unique and captivating. Our goal is to develop ongoing relationships with local commercial property owners, community arts organizations and schools as an active member of the Pasadena arts community...."

She has curated the upcoming group show  S+P=A [Systems +Process=Aesthetics] which will open this Saturday, Feb. 11, 6-8pm at 686 E. Union St. Unit 1, Pasadena (located behind Vroman's bookstore.) Click the link for details. 

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project!

Indivisible: E

I am proud to present square number 32 created by a young member of the New Haven Friends Meeting stitch group:

I love you to the moon and back, sewing, fabric, 2016.

E is 11 years old.  The title of her piece comes from the children's book, I Love You to the Moon and Back, by Amelia Hepworh and the phrase from the book, Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBratney. I am continually moved by the fact that children and young people are choosing to participate in this project.  It gives me so much hope in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead.  Please keep sending me your squares for the Indivisible Project!

Indivisible: Janne Larsen's 2D students

I am pleased to present square number 31, another strong work created by a high school student in Janne Larsen's 2-D art class at Pilgrim School:

Morality, mixed media on paper, 2016.

If you look closely at the piece, you can see that the word above the red light figure is "YTILAROM," or "MORALITY" spelled backwards. One definition of Morality is "...principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior."  Please keep sending your work to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Zarina Bouinatcheva

I am very pleased to present square number 30 created by friend, artist and terrific person Zarina Bouinatcheva:

 Resist, felt, thread, safety pins, 2017.

Indeed, we must RESIST!  I love this piece- especially the aesthetic and conceptual use of the safety pins and hearts.  Beautiful!

Please keep sending your wonderful works to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Jim Fritzler

I am pleased to post square number 29 created by a friend and professor Jim Fritzler of Hastings, NE. This conceptual piece is very powerful, and to do it justice, I need to show you three images of this work.  The first image is what I saw when I opened the box:

 Ink and sewing on cloth, 2016.

After I unrolled the balled up cloth, the image looked like this:

Below is a close-up of what Jim wrote on the corner of the cloth. 

It says, "I feel this big."

When I saw this, my heart just fell right into my stomach, and I wanted to cry.  It is a strong reminder of what many of us felt post-election & inauguration up to present day.  I love this work; it moved me so much.  In an elegant way, it encapsulates very directly our strong feelings towards our current times. Thank you, Jim!

Please keep sending your wonderful works to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Lesley Ash

I am proud to present square number 28, created by New York-based artist and all around great human being, Lesley Ash:

Water media on paper, 2017.

Lesley's statement about this work:  "I imagined how all humankind is a connected web with diverse kinds of relationships, touching each other in different ways, and how underneath we are all the same. Underneath the surface, you do not see color, socio-economic status, political or religious beliefs-- you just see the beautiful core of a human being. That is where our connection lies, if we can only see past the superficial things that divide us..."

Beautiful thoughts and work!  You can see more of Lesley's wonderful work here: Please keep sending me your works for the Indivisible Project!