Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am proud to present square number 77, an uplifting work created by Ashley, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Pen, water media on paper, 2017.

A simple concept executed in a beautiful way - hands overlapping, coming together.  I love the delicate line work and washes of paint accompanied by powerful words:  unity, joy peace, love, nature. A gorgeous square.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am happy to present square number 76, an uplifting work created by Amalia, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

 Stand Together Happily, paint on canvas, 2017.

Now here's a concept that is not addressed everyday but should be: Stand Together Happily. I emphasize the "happily," because I am a firm believer that if you willingly volunteer to be a part of an event, task or an organization or just spend time with people you like/love, do it with joy. Mind you, events leading up to certain gatherings may not be joyful, but you have the power to spread the joy, compassion and love to others under any circumstances.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Valerie Graham Butler workshop

I am proud to present square number 75, created by another participate in the workshop hosted by Los Angeles friend and artist Valerie Graham Butler:

Humanity under the same sky, paint on paper, 2017.

We all live under the same sky and on the same planet.  What happens to one of us impacts many of us. Let's treat our fellow humans as human beings.  Let's extend to all the same basic rights, courtesy and respect that we expect for ourselves.  Compassion, mercy - easy to say but sometimes difficult to demonstrate. We must strive to practice them in the face of adversity.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 74, a timely work created by Leika, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

All in This Together, mixed media on paper, 2017.

This is a beautiful work and a reminder that we do not need to be alone with all that is happening in our world.  Reach out, be helpful, even in a small way - to your family, to your neighborhood, to your community.  Small kind gestures can mean the world to others.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project. 

Indivisible: Girl Scout Troop 7126

I am happy to present square number 73, another lovely work created by a girl from Kim Hiller Connell's Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout troop of Manhattan, KS:

Water media on paper, 2016.

Love Hope Peace!  This square says it all! It thrills me that children grasp these concepts easily and within their social and school groups.  (We adults sometimes make things more complicated than they need to be and don't always stop to see the larger picture of how some of our actions immediately impact others.)

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: Sharon Sekhon

I am thrilled to post square number 72, the seventh work created by LA educator, historian and all-around terrific person, Sharon Sekhon:

 

Unity, photograph, 2016.  

In light of everything that has happened and been reported in the news the past week, the call to unite ourselves has not been stronger.  I love this image for a number of reasons - it's peaceful, calming serene landscape that encompasses the entire composition, a macro view of the world we inhabit and not least of all the fact that it is reminds me of my hometown back in beautiful Western North Carolina.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Anne Gagel and Sons

I am proud to present wonderful square number 71 created by Anne Gagel and her sons Eoin and Fintan from Kansas:

Hope, mixed media, 2017.

This lovely work is a family effort that incorporates painting, collage and drawing to present a message of hope. I am showing this work a bit larger than some previous works posted so you can see the details and variety of imagery and how these images interconnect with each other to make a beautiful, single piece.  This interconnection and the message is a reminder to us all.  No matter what happens in the world, in our country, in our politics, we must continue to support each other and actively demonstrate love and compassion.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 70, a gorgeous work created by Talia, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

 Water media on paper, 2017.

This work gives a sense of peacefulness and hope.  The paint handling is beautifully done, and I love the engagement of the girl's gaze with the viewer.  When I see this, it reminds me to be in the moment and not worry about the past or the future.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon

I am very happy to post square number 69, the sixth work created by LA educator, historian and all-around terrific person, Sharon Sekhon:

Humanity, photograph, 2016.

I enjoy the dichotomies of this well-composed image.  A lovely mountainside holds down the background while the foreground is teeming with human construction - a chain link fence, an old concrete bridge and cracked road, and no less than four traffic signs.  I think it's a pretty wonderful statement to the fact that our time on this earth is fleeting and temporary.  Make the most of it; do something positive for yourself, the environment and those around you.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Valerie Graham Butler workshop

I am pleased to post square number 68, a second work created by Gianna, a child that participated in the workshop hosted by Los Angeles friend and artist Valerie Graham Butler:

Paint on paper, 2017.

This image perfectly captures our current weather here in Los Angeles. We had a run of warm summer-like days and are now back to our May-gray state, over cast with the sun peeking out occasionally.   I think this also captures our current state of mind at times too!

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.    

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 67, a wonderful work created by Ava, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

 

Colored pencil on paper, 2017.

This work illustrates a gesture of kindness, one person giving to another person in need.  At elementary school and in our Girl Scout troop, we parents are currently trying to impart this idea to our little people; of course talking about this only goes so far.  The idea is remembered most when we demonstrate it and help our children be a part of the process.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.   

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 66, a beautiful piece created by Samantha, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Watermedia on paper, 2017.

Being close to nature, being in nature, even for a short while, helps to keep a person grounded and can give some perspective and clarity to our lives. As our thoughts tend to run away with us especially during troublesome times, stepping outdoors, talking a walk, being close to the earth can help clear our heads and maintain a focus on what's important and what truly needs our attention.   I love the soft colors and handling of the paint in Samantha's work.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.   

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 65, a strong work created by Nicole, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Hope, marker and ink on paper, 2017.

This black and white work is very timely in the face of a recent vote regarding the healthcare and well-being of the people of our country.  While many of us have been experiencing and continue to experience tumultuous thoughts and emotions around the current political situations,  above all else, there is ALWAYS HOPE.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Kristine Hatanaka's high school art class

I am pleased to present square number 64, a gorgeous work created by Ana, a student in Kristine Hatanaka's art class from the Culver City High School Academy of Visual and Performing Arts:

Colored pencil on paper, 2017.

A beautifully executed work of a beautiful concept and image.  Family is family is family - whether created, chosen, adopted, no matter how it comes together. Love, understanding and respect are the glue!  Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Sharon Sekhon

I am very happy to post square number 63, another beautiful work created by LA educator, historian and all-around terrific person, Sharon Sekhon:

Decency, photograph, 2016.

This image of a praying mantis is very appropriate to post at the moment. We have seen a lot of active wildlife lately, and nature is in full Spring-mode here in Los Angeles.  The birds are mating, the lizards are popping up here and there, and many flowers and trees are blooming.  My Girl Scout troop is currently watching their caterpillars prepare themselves (by eating, sleeping and pooping a lot) to eventually form chrysalises in order to become butterflies.  Truly a beautiful time of the year.

Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.  

Indivisible: Valerie Graham Butler workshop

I am pleased to post square number 62, a work created by D.Carnighan, another participate in the workshop hosted by Los Angeles friend and artist Valerie Graham Butler:

Photo collage, mixed media on paper, 2017.

Children's hands and adult/parent hands coming together to make something wonderful - a beautiful image.  Please keep sending your squares to the Indivisible Project.