We hung the set of jars in our new favorite park last week. It was a beautiful day and such a great adventure. Picking them up in the snow storm yesterday was not as easy, but it was so fun seeing people’s responses; a glimpse into they’re dreams and hopes and prayers…
Here’s pictures of our adventure day!
You can read about last year’s rendition of this project here.
And here is a painting inspired by this project.
One of the twelve paintings done for Almanac No. 1 featured here. This piece coincides with the song “All the Lights” to be released soon!
The simplicity of the things we capture and hold on to- feathers representing hopes, butterflies for dreams and so on. What have you kept close in the dark?
In process…
12X12 inch prints can be purchased at Betony’s etsy shop – www.graysparrow.etsy.com
The first time I realized that there is such a thing as a “protest” song was in high school. One of the films they were showing about the civil rights movement kept coming back to people belting out “We Shall Overcome”. As a young man, I was so moved. That people can use music to rally around an idea that brings about change. That’s powerful.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20th this year), Betony and I made a playlist filled with songs about changing the world around us for the better. Here’s our current list. What would you add? Feel free to put song suggestions in the comments!
In Protest Playlist
Coal War- Joshua James
Pride- U2
Better Way- Ben Harper
Politik- Coldplay
Freedom- Rage Against the Machine
Give Peace a Chance- John Lennon
Talkin Bout a Revolution- Tracy Chapman
Man in Black- Johnny Cash
Ballad of Paul and Sheila- Mason Jennings
The Times They are A-Changin- Bob Dylan
We Shall Overcome- Martin Luthar King Address
Redemption Song- Bob Marley and the Wailors
We put the question to friends on facebook: what would you put on this playlist? We published the results on Betony Coons Spotify account. It’s called “In Protest”. Come take a listen!
Joni Lissak
Artist & Lover of Elephants
Joni teaches art at a charter school in Greeley, CO with an undergrad from the University of Northern Colorado. She produces intricate, beautiful, and interactive art shows. (One being a narrative thread of paintings inspired by a Regina Spector song.
Gallery goers could listen, touch, and contribute to the show).
Click the download button below to get the high resolution 5X7 file. Print it out and place the music jar somewhere it will “play” for you.
[purchase_link id=”233″ style=”button” color=”white” text=”Purchase”]
(Note: click the download button, then the purchase button – it will be $0.00, then click “download now” to get the high resolution file)
Contact Joni for art commissions:
box.of.paints@hotmail.com
Here: http://giantsandpilgrims.bandcamp.com/
Come and listen to the leading track off the new album! Share it with your friends for the pre-order because this is going to be such a tremendous album and we are so very excited.
So these are snowflake patterns from crochet directions that Betony designed to make beautiful all on their own! Below are a myriad of creative ideas as to how to use them.
We hope they make for a great addition to your home, celebrating this winter season. And perhaps they can be an indoor activity to do in the Great Cold happening right now!
Click the link below to download the pdf:
IDEAS:
Print them out on card stock paper, cut them out and sting them together to make a beautiful winter garland.
Print them on vellum paper and hang in your windows.
Copy and paste them to make into your own notecards, stationary, or thank you notes. Hobby Lobby or Michaels have great blank printable cards that you can just run through your home printer.
Print them (or send off to Office Max or office store) on sticker paper and cut out as stickers.
Use as a drawing reference to draw or paint your own intricate snowflake designs.
Print them out on decal paper and transfer to candles
http://www.amazon.com/Laser-Premium-Waterslide-Clear-Sheets/dp/B0013L7OGS/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1389109332&sr=1-4&keywords=decal+paper
Use as an embroidery pattern on a pillow
Print it out on fabric using this freezer paper method:
http://thegraphicsfairy.com/print-fabric-freezer-paper-method-2/
Create a seasonal cheese tray with a wood cutting board and the wax paper transfer method shown here: http://www.unexpectedelegance.com/2011/09/01/wax-paper-transfer-tutorial/
Save those free ugly coasters from your local brewery and mod-podge these designs over the top.
Items Needed-
5 mason jars
5 tags
golf pencils
scrap paper
twine
You are invited into a polar expedition. This adventure is, as always, to be tailored to your story and we are merely providing suggestions and framework for goodness to happen. Make changes as needed and be creative.
Sometime this month find a wooded area that is traversed by people, even in winter. It should be hidden enough to be an enjoyable destination, yet frequented enough to be quite public.
Create your jars: Write the following words on the 5 tags- Hopes, Dreams, Fears, Secrets, Prayers. Then put the tags in the jars so they’re easily seen. And leave scrap paper and golf pencils in each jar. Lastly, leave quotes and your own thoughts in the jars as well, as a catalyst.
Bundle up and head out into the cold. Bring a friend. Or family. Enjoy the sense of purpose that comes with loving people by providing them anonymous reflection space.
Hang your jars together in a place that can be seen from a path- not too hidden but not too obvious. It should feel as if they’ve stumbled onto something special. And they have.
Leave the jars there. Invite your friends and connections on Facebook and other media channels. Everyone loves and deserves an adventure.
Collect your jars after 5-7 days. If you leave the brittle glass out too long they’re subject to breaking.
Take some time and treasure the connections and thoughts left there. Whether poetic musings, crude vandalism or plain honesty, it all speaks to our humanity.
Keep the jars somewhere they can catch the light this month. Be reminded of hopes, dreams, fears and everything that comes with great beginnings.
Whenever the season changes it’s good to have a soundtrack to follow and celebrate the new themes. Recreate this crafted playlist or look up some of these songs about New Year’s and new beginning to fill your January days.
What songs would you add? Feel free to leave them here in the comments!
1. Auld Lang Syne – Glenn Miller Band
2. New Year’s Day- U2
3. This is the New Year- Death Cab for Cutie
4. Golden Years- David Bowie
5. This Year’s Love- David Gray
6. What are You Doing New Year’s Eve?- Ella Fitzgerald
7. New Day- Gomez
8. This Year- Serendipity
9. When I was 17- Frank Sinatra
10. Auld Lang Syne- Andrew Bird
Here’s some additions after we asked folks on Facebook what they suggest listening to:
*Everything is New- Tim Coons
*Good Days-Renee Swick-Ziller and Tim Coons
*1999- Prince
*This is Not the End- Fieldwork
*Blue Danube- Johann Strauss
*Long December- Counting Crows
*Next Year- Foo Fighters
*What Planet is This?!- The Seat Belts
*Ice on Her Lashes- Brooke Fraser
*I See Fire- Ed Sheeran
*Get Lucky- Daft Punk
*Where is My Mind- The Pixies