What is it about giving Thanks?

What is GRATITUDE (II)?

On October 1st I released this idea “Project GRATITUDE (II)”. I’ve expressed in part what it means but I want to take a chance in this juncture of the journey to give thanks in another way. To testify and to tell why God is moving in this way through me, and to tell “what it is about GRATITUDE”. What does this mean?

Now clearly, if I had as many people show up to my event as liked my recent photoshoot on instagram the house would be packed and I might sell all my paintings. Lol. Those beautiful photos and that opportunity to explore a different side of myself with other artists was a fun and empowering experience, but this show is not about saying “everyone look at me I am great”! I feel like social media can cast it that way….I want to be clear. There is a celebration of myself in this show, an appreciation for being a woman, an artist, for where I have come from, and of stepping into my dreams...that is there.

But after these paintings are hung Friday night, I probably will fall on my knees and have no other words to say that don’t involve every soul that I have ever been touched by, there will be no words that don’t attempt to tell the inexpressible, profound, and unconditional love I have for my village, my community, my life that is only because you are reading this.

GRATITUDE is me living my purpose. In the last four years since 2008 I have noticed a chapter in myself and in my life. Some of the conclusions and reflections of that are a learned deep and profound love I have for others. Another is that I believe my main reasons for being are to Love and to Serve (broad or general yes, but still significant). I do not always get to show this love I have, and I have not always expressed it as I should. I have been busy, forgetful, maybe selfish, late, but I have always held these wishes in my heart. I see now it’s in the little and big things, it’s in the actions and intentions, it begins with giving Thanks.

It begins with GRATITUDE.

I wanted to do this show when I graduated from college. That is clearly a significant milestone that is possible because of the love and support of countless individuals. College is not the end all be all; having a piece of paper or two is not the only pathway toward success, but accomplishing it is a grand moment in one’s life, certainly my Pan African Grad was one of the greatest days of my life. So to release a series of paintings, representing what I’d learned with my art degree, having something to show the community and village, and making that first show out of college about them was a dream…(Yes I know, I am always trying to do something special. Lol)

But why not? GRATITUDE is a celebration of life. That show how I wanted it was not possible, but I still had it with past paintings (technically it was the first GRATITUDE Exhibition). How I thought finishing a leadership position, a housing job, a full load of classes, and graduation requirements while painting a new series of paintings was possible in one quarter is clearly my idealistic side showing. ;) So the vision, the paintings, the colors, and the unveiling to loved ones remained in my heart and head until now. November became a month I wanted to have the show fittingly as Thanksgiving is in November. 2011 did not prove to be a suitable time for that, and 2012 didn’t seem so either. The dream grew during that year though and the significance of having this exhibit did too. This would not only be a new series of paintings as a graduate, collect all the talents and things I share day to day and put them in one place on a website, a chance to involve a community of artists who have watched me and helped me grow as a fellow artist and as a woman, and honestly just to get it all properly organized. ;) GRATITUDE now  wasn’t just 12 or 14 paintings with thank you’s, it was a movement, an experience, a reflection of self, and an opportunity to honor and cherish life.

How often do we do that? How often do we stop? How often do we write a hand written letter and put it in the mail?

And more so… how do we feel when we do?

How do we feel?! When we think of all we have, and not what we don’t! When we recognize special people, special memories, and say things we’ve held in our hearts but didn’t have the words to put together before?

I started to make lists…and ok, I am a serious list maker. There are literally hundreds of lists imposed and painted into the paintings…but I started making lists of how I would honor certain people. GRATITUDE started as one painting, then three, then five, then 14. And the names? Well, the names have not stopped coming. There are of course those in our closest circles, but the layers and layers continue after that, and I have done my best (almost obsessively) not to leave even one out.

Everyone cannot be our best friend…or can they? In the last four years in travels and just living, I am nearly to tears when I think of the incredible souls I’ve met that I wish I was better or was simply just able to stay in contact with. I know, people say you can’t do it all…but why not? Not everyone will be our best friend, I am confident anyone you meet can teach you or touch your heart.

So returning to October 2012, the moment I decided to pursue these paintings, these letters, this fundraiser, these events, this reflective time, this launching of business and website, and this reclaiming and honoring of pieces of my life…

The moment I chose to listen to that small, quiet but direct voice…everything fell into place.

On Wednesday Nov 6th I more than exceeded my goal! I am at $1,500+ and still growing! I am floored, I am humbled, I am swelling with appreciation!!!!! I was timid at first to ask for help in making GRATITUDE possible, it is celebratory and my business, “shouldn’t I do it for myself? Is it too much to ask? So many people have already helped me get here, I am already so blessed. I should have it together” I thought. But special souls came into place a pushed me…

and in that moment I chose…MIRACLES occurred.

All the people, the food, the places, the finances, the time, the inspiration, the ability, the paintings being made…it is all MIRACLE, truly a miracle (I have some stories to tell). And looking back now, it was somewhat of an easy miracle. Lol. Often we don’t even see that our dreams are so easily attainable until we take that step. EVERYTHING is there. I am not just living a dream, I am stepping into a purpose…to Love and to Serve. I’m not perfect, I will make more “mis-takes”, but I know I have certain gifts…to paint, to write poetry, to live paint, to teach, to lead, to speak, to sing (yeah that one I’m working on…lol), to organize, to shout, to be on time (lol), to work, to see projects complete, to be an artist, to Love, to Serve….there are other dreams I have everyone does not know of or will not see…YET. But let me tell you, this is a major first step in that direction. Because this was possible, I know ALL is possible.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT GIVING THANKS?

WHAT IS GRATITUDE (II)?:

IT IS THE RECIPIE AND THE FIRST STEP FOR CREATING MIRACLES.

What are you grateful for? What do you have? What are your hopes and dreams?

Are you afraid? Are you willing to get there? Are you ready to be there now?

Give thanks, and take the first step toward your dreams…then watch Miracles happen.

Whatever the belief system (God, no God, Christian, Buddist, Jewish, etc..)  it is FAITH. It is HOPE, it is LOVE, it is RIGHTEOUSNESS, it is COURGE, it is seeking to be the best you know how to be.

NOTHING IS LOST my mentor, professor, inspiration and one of many angels Dr. Humber recently said.

Are you too old? Is it too late? Is it too big? Are you too small? Is it right? Are you too poor? Did it “fail” before? Do people not understand? Is it hard? Is it impossible?

NO. NOTHING..... No Thing IS IMPOSSIBLE.

What are your dreams? Search yourself for the good feeling and hard questions, find YOUR answers, then start giving thanks for what you already have! You’ll realize you already have EVERYthing you are dreaming of! Finally take that first step…

Just find your truth, Take step one…

The rest already IS.

I love you. You are truly loved. GRATITUDE and all these words, actions, events, things won’t ever say it enough…but I at least want to try to say THANK YOU. I am because You are. I can because you are. Thank you for Being so that I can be who I was called to be.

Love, Blessings, and Light

-Shelley

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE THIS CHANCE TO JUST BEGIN TO GIVE PRAISE AND THANKS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE been a part of making GRATITUDE (II), Nov. 2012 happen.

The donors…Dawn & Bryan Henderson, Sharon Magilaono Wood, Julia Wood, Stan and Lois Bruce, Elizabeth Gomez, Mary Tawaldros, A Mic and Dim Lights Family, Leah Jurilla, Hellena Ruiz, Odera Chute, Terrence Budd, Vanessa Wairco, Gheren Vitte, Will and Heather Pfeffer, Dr. Renford Reese, Lorena Marquez, Jabrilla Carr, Mary Brown, Alicia Marie, Monie D, Roxana Segovia-Bletran, Lee Ballinger, Crytsa Obeikia, Mercy Daramola, Pamela Dilworth, Kenny, Jazzmene Ellison, Cherise Evangelista, Rita Herr, Kumi Rauf, Ariana Bejar-Nasseri, Teisha Roby, Vanessa White, Cindy- Lee Marsh, Lizette Landa, Dr. Peggy Kelly, Monica Santander, Michelle Chan, Chris and Vanessa Spencer,  and several anonymous donors. (And if I forget anyone please forgive me they are still coming!!!)

The team and support…. Mary Tawaldrow, Matanah, Simmons, Lorena Marquez, Rodrigo Cedeno, Hellena Ruiz, Lucia Serrano, Judah 1, Treesje Powers, Besskepp Cory Cofer, Simpy Kat, Matt Bennett (Whyte Boy), Jerrence Owens, Laurence Michael, Mom and Dad, Pro Nation, IE Photo Rentals, Machine Pomona, Andy, and so many more!!!

All the people who will be there at the events… All those who can’t come, or couldn’t give, but just sent their love and hope. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.THANK YOU. You are a blessing. GRATITUDE (II)  is so I can be a blessing back.

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Ghana Calls Me Also

Hello Everyone,

I know I have been absent a few weeks, I do apologize. I think the time to recover from Ghana mentally took much longer than I thought. Included in this delay were a few classic problems I had retrieving some documents that were in Ghana. (I cannot escape it!) Besides these now mute details, I do sincerely apologize for having you all wait, as I know many have wanted to see my final reflections and photos from my trip.

I still am digesting the impact of my experiences. Ghana, as any world travel, has once again changed and inspired me. I feel like a different person as I interact with friends and family, even almost a month later. It is so different than before left. The way I regard issues and my priorities has changed. With this trip and some events following I have begun to see what incredible potential lies ahead if I only take my steps wisely and work for it.

Ghana continues to blossom. As learned, it is projected that Ghana’s national GDP will more than double after the newly found resource of oil is harvested. In ten, five or even three years I am sure Accra’s development will astound me and I look forward to the next time I am privileged to visit.

There is not stopping now, I think I have an incessant bug to explore, learn, read and travel. And how the gift to grasp opportunity fills my eyes and heart every day. I am so lucky and blessed to be an American, and to be born into the life that I live in. My art is again placed in this country and quite literally do I feel spiritually part of me is also connected there. That mural will bring my family and my friends to encounter the journey traveling to Ghana provides.

It is incredible, what will and could possibly birth from this work and from my research. Ghana is certainly a part of my future. Though I have only traveled as a young adult to this country I know beyond all others it that fact will remain. I have a million buzzing ideas that I can visualize as possible whirling through my head. Each day a new fruit from its pile I am working to see in my everyday life. One step at a time, one day at a time, I progress confidently.

Thank you all, thank you all, thank you all for being there for me and appreciating this experience! I am truly honored, flattered and moved by all of your emails and comments. Enjoy the photos is the link posted just here:

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/shelbe1288/Ghana%202009/Ghana%20Trip%202009/?albumview=slideshow&track=share_email_album_view_click

May God bless you.
Love Always,

-Shelley

P.S.- There is so much more I wish to write, and I will. Keep my blog in mind every now and then ;) Thank you.

Mural "Ghana Calls" Detail/ Progress Photos

Hello all,

Here are a few shots of my mural in progress! The blog just bellow this has a formal essay on the finished piece as well as a final photo.

I cannot to begin to thank you all enough for your numerous forms of encouragement and support.

Please feel free to email me if you'd like to know anything else about this project.

Enjoy,

-Shelley

Mural "Ghana Calls"

Art Work Analysis:

Mural "Ghana Calls" for the W.E.B. DuBois Centre of Pan Africanism

By Shelley Bruce

Artist- Shelley Bruce
Medium- Acrylic Paint
Dimensions- approximately 4’ x 7’ (feet)
Completed August 26th 2009

The commission to donate this piece to the W.E.B. DuBois Centre was arranged and organized by Dr. Renford Reese. His passing of this monumental opportunity to me has launched my career to another realm and I must mention his gift to me with most gratitude before proceeding.

Once I was able to comprehend the great privilege of painting this work inside the last home of W.E.B. Dubois, I realized several components that it must have. It must reflect his life, his values (especially those pertaining to art), his life in and relationship to Ghana, and most importantly it must continue his mission and work for his people and this world. I also knew, though already very familiar with the African American scholar and genius who directly paved a way for me, that I must become more acquainted with his work. I needed to better understand his perspectives so that I could best capture his spirit in my piece. The first work I came across was an excerpt from The Souls of Black Folk entitled “The Coming of John” that served as a prime example of DuBois ability to use various forms of literature like fiction to relay lessons. The next and very second work I came across was a poem entitled “Ghana Calls” (please see poem at my second blog entry: http://reflectingonmyblessings88.blogspot.com/2009/08/sharing-my-inspiration.html ).

There could have been no more perfect fit to this commission. The twenty-three stanza prose beautifully illustrates an autobiographical narrative starting with DuBois’ childhood and ending in his foretold death, describes the transformation of his concept of Africa, expresses his opinions on the future of the world’s leading nations and supplies incredible imagery from which an artist could easily illustrate. Most importantly, the poem was written to Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah and most lovingly described Ghana as a paradise, one in which he would close the book of his life. I acquired a combination of chills, tears and goose bumps the first few times I read the poem and knew that it would be the sole inspiration for my mural.

With this work I chose to take a path less traveled and one usually not recommended. Rather than simply illustrating the poem or using its text for added detail, I opted to make the entire wording the focal point of the piece. DuBois, as I had learned from a previous tour of the DuBois Centre, was adamant about reading and I wanted viewers to not only experience this work but make it a part of DuBois’ recommended daily intake of knowledge. Furthermore I felt that using the whole piece would serve to educate and “uplift the race” as DuBois thought all art should do from his message in “Criteria of Negro Art” (DuBois 1926). I wanted to further that philosophy and simultaneously use it as a note of intrigue for the viewer.


When once first encounters the work, the four colors of Ghana’s flag along with the overall imagery dominate one’s reaction. I used crimson, green, gold and black to not only reflect Ghana but the colors that represent Pan Africanism and all peoples of the African Diaspora. Just after though, one realizes the maze of writing that completely overlays the images underneath. The third response I feel is a back and forth action that begins to occur as the viewer seeks to pull out the images beneath the words, while coming back to the black and prominent script. As one may read the prose they will notice that the images directly under the words are meant to correspond with that stanza in the story, a revelation I would like the viewer to over time be able to pinpoint for every portion of the mural.

And from this I am well aware that the writing may be overwhelming, but I use the text for symbolism as well as a tool to invite the viewer to spend time reflecting on DuBois and his work. I truly believe that no interpretation or further additions to “Ghana Calls” were needed from me to create this piece. The work unveiled itself from my second encounter during my research, and W. E. B. DuBois’ knowledge and writings were more than enough to inspire my humble work along the unnumbered other forms of art, research and literature influenced by him across the world.

With that notion, DuBois’ portrait (top right) gazes down in reflection on his life and works below. A slight smile in his eye comes from a joy and hope found in a special city called Accra. This pensive and prominent face glows golden as it graces a painting located in the very last place he called home, in Ghana.

(For a larger view of the mural go to http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af164/shelbe1288/Ghana%202009/Ghana%20Trip%202009/?action=view&current=DSCN0566.jpg&evt=user_media_share )

A New Start

Dear Loved Ones,

Hello to you all! You are in my thoughts and prayers as I am fulfilling my purpose here.

So today is officially the first day I am “alone” in Ghana, all by myself. I say officially since the rest of my classmates were to leave yesterday at 10:20 am, when they really left (I hope) today at 8am. I have not had a chance to make this certain, but in my heart I have a feeling Delta wouldn’t mess up a flight that large for the third time in a row!

So this is certainly the first time I have been abroad alone, but I have no fears or worries. I have developed a wonderful family base with my hotel’s staff and with the Aya Centre (the group that arranges the international groups like out trip). I feel that I have several people to call if I need anything, which makes me feel so safe and very blessed to be supported.

Yesterday though when I realized this my entire attitude changed. My purpose and stay here gained more significance and meaning. Every minute of my day must be used for productivity. Every plan that I make must take advantage of the privilege of being here. Also all of my choices must be reflective and responsible knowing that I am independent. I hope these reflections aren’t too scary for Mom, Dad and others concerned ;) but I want everyone to know that I am well, secure and safe, and that I am being watched over and taken care of.

My goals for this week are many but I know they are attainable. The biggest is to make this mural the absolute best that I can muster. I unveiled it to my group in a humble but significant ceremony on Tuesday evening, though it was not entirely complete. I wanted to share the almost finished work with them as they have been curious and ever supportive the past two weeks, but now I have some details left to do. I won’t post the finished pictures until the end (sorry!) I but I will leave you with another sneak peek from last week (below).

Other than that art interviews, painting, spending time with new and old friends, and networking will consume the remainder of my time. In other words, I will sleep on the plane home. ;)

Thank you all again for your support and blessings and prayers. They are working! And keeping me focused and motivated. God Bless you in every moment of this day.

Love Always,

-Shelley

*Mural in progress on August 15th 2009*

Today is a Great Day

Maachi! (Good Morning) again from Ghana,

It is a beautiful one. Although dusk and grey, I revel in the glowing magnitude and significance that awaits me and my 21 fellow ambassadors today. As they soak in the last few moments of Accra, I will be painting vigorously to finish what for months I have set to accomplish. I am a bit nervous. And though I may not be able to see the end at the moment, I am quite clear that God is cradling me in His/Her safety anywhere that I set my steps. For it is ordained; For it is already put into place and in reassurance to my simmering nerves I share and remind myself of that fact. God certainly did not bring me this far to fail, and whatever so happens today I trust all the events unconditionally.

What a two weeks. I feel as if they have literally slipped by. With no clichéd exaggeration I say if feels that only moments ago we were having our introductory session. Every encounter since then has been ripe with lesson and glorious in its own right. I don’t think though that I have soaked each second in like I did last year, more so in a different way. Of course it may have felt faster since I have been here before but my appreciation spreads differently and wide like my smile. I beam in the lucky knowledge of seven more days of inspiration, while I also reminisce in the fact that Ghana has wrapped me up in her waist. Like the children her daughters carry on their backs I am securely fastened and cannot deny that warmth and familiarity of this home. I tell you, it feels like home! Yes, beyond the tourist attractions, hotels and spoils. “Ghana Calls” me just as it called DuBois as expressed in his prose.

Ah, what a revelation. I am called. And I will continue to follow that calling where ever and whenever it may lead me back here. I can see my opportunities blossoming and am so grateful that I can see my purpose and destiny being revealed.

A Nigerian very accomplished and diligent, business man spoke with me and a friend the other evening. He gave me some advice that I in response agreed to with “I am planning….” But this is where he cut me off. He said “Do not plan! Do!” Do not wait, seize the day! (Carpe Diem) Do not list, accomplish and Work!...each day and thought and moment to that ever present, not future, goal. That lesson I gird today as I finish installing my artwork. I praise God and am Blessed as I look forward to posting the completed photos soon.

Enjoy your day today. Love always,


-Shelley