May 2, 2008

Thank you for the supportive comments and emails regarding my "winged messenger" project. I really do appreciate it. I would like to tell you how this project came about and I want to point out certain people who have inspired me along the way.

The winged messengers came from a sketch that I drew for J years ago when we were living in two separate countries. My husband had moved to the States months prior for his work while I finished my own contracts up in Canada. During our long distance relationship, I would write him letters and sometimes when there wasn't anything new to say, I'd send him sketches or photographs. One the sketches was of J laying in bed while envelopes with wings flew through his bedroom window.

I began making the winged envelopes a month or so ago for myself. I made six, taped them to my wall, took a photograph of them and then posted the photo on my blog. Then I got the idea to take them out into the field and into the city. It was purely a visual idea. I thought they would look beautiful moving through tall grass in a field or in a gritty urban setting.

Then Maddie of Persisting Stars wrote about her and her children leaving kind, supportive notes to strangers throughout her home town. I loved that idea! Plus, I like the idea of giving free art; that is, anyone can take a "winged messenger" home with them.

Maddie sent me a link to a website called Hope Revolution which is wonderful site encouraging people to start their own "random acts of kindness" projects. Hope Revolution has a link to a flickr site where people from around the world post up photographs of what they are doing in their own neighborhoods. It's encouraging to know that despite the often depressing news on the television or on the radio, little positive ideas for change are taking place throughout the country and in our world.

While at Karen's place last week, I looked through the latest Artful Blogging Magazine. Andrea of Hula Seventy has an interesting piece in the magazine where she describes her family's own experience of leaving kind comments around their town. What a great activity for children!

This is going to be a long term project for me. I get excited imagining where I can leave a winged messenger next. Constance of Rochambeau and her mother left a winged messenger in a Texan town last month and Olga has offered to post a winged messenger or two somewhere in Stockholm. How cool is that?!

Comments

[Yoli]

Oh my God that is such a beautiful and touching project! Of course the Maddie had to be involved, she is such a sweet soul. Listen, if you like to send a winged message to me here in the Florida Keys, do so, and I will leave it somewhere and take a picture for you! This is really beautiful stuff. You are a good soul Susanna.

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Susanna - your messengers are so beautiful - and truly reflect your lovely self. I'm so glad you're doing this!

[Shin Young]

I'm near London, so if you want me to leave one there, send one my way. :)

[michelle/tangled wings]

this is just about the coolest thing EVER!

[darlene]

oh i would love to do a winged messenger here either in the city or the country or both :) i love love love your project, it is simply magical :)

[annieelf]

Dear Susanna, I've totally fallen in love with this idea. I must do this and leave a few here and there. Thank you so much for so generously sharing this idea for others to participate in.

[art Tea Life]

I am excited to check out the Hope Revolution link and this post is SO inspiring. I love this idea too ... wheels are turning. I loved the suggestion of using it with children as I have a summer camp I am working this year and that is a perfect idea. THANK YOU.

Now if you would like a winged lovely left in L.A. Send it On ! I will be happy to leave it someplace for you and take pictures.

Love, S

[Mo'a]

I love your Winged Messengers even more now after reading this post.
I have a Friend who painted inspiring words on black stones and left them behind for someone to find as she and her husband drove across the country.
The idea of leaving pieces of art and inspiring messages for someone to find and keep is wonderful...I am inspired.

[Carol]

I think that this is such a wonderful idea!!

[Joy Snyder]

It was great meeting you and spending time. Your winged messengers are wonderful! How lucky the people are who come upon them. Hope to meet up again sometime soon.

[moroccanmaryam]

This is just a fantastic idea and I want to winged messenger here in Morocco too!

[Paris Parfait]

Susanna, your winged messengers are wonderful! No doubt they will be winging their way to all parts of the globe, imparting messages of hope.

[Ulla]

I love the idea of secretly spreading hope around the world! and your winged parcels are pure enchantment!!!

[maddie]

oh well I would love to leave one in
vancouver for you:)

and ...ahem...i promise not to keep it:)

:)

[stephanie]

It is VERY cool indeed, spreading your winged prayers....if you'd like your messages and prayers spread in Colorado I would feel so honored to do so....

x..x

[o l g a]

:)

Great reading all these comments Susanna!!
I am glad to hear how all this started (I was thinking of asking you) and about what has inspired you ...I LOVE it and feel thrilled to become a little part of it.

[Relyn]

Clever, Missouri is not nearly as exciting as Stockholm, but I know the people here would be as enchanted by your winged messengers as I am. I love the way you are spreading your own brand of joy with your winged messengers. Of course, your blog does that, too.

[susanna]

I am humbled by all your supportive comments and emails. And thank you for generously offering to put up one of my wings in your parts of the world. Thank you!

[collette]

I had no idea the idea came from a sketch you had done for J. I had a really great visual of those envelopes flying out the window and around the room.
Hope Revo is great community project. I especially like that it fosters art + creativity together. Couldn't ask for a better pair. They are magic together.
One could really run with this idea of leaving messages and sending out hope. We ALL have something to offer.

[Jamie]

Thanks for explaining how they came about, Susanna. Was I imagining that one was left by a phone booth with a message that said "Call him!"?

I love how you dropped them off and then got to watch people's reactions. What a thrill for any artist.

[swampgirl]

what a wonderful post about how you've nurtured this one image from something you shared with one person to something you are sharing with many people.

i love to hear about your artistic process.

your winged messages of kindness would look lovely in new orleans!

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I love your project ! this is wonderful idea ! I may participate ! These
winged messages would look terrific in a provencal field

[Tracie Lyn Huskamp]

dearest Susanna... I too would volunteer to leave a winged messenger here in Kansas... it would be beautiful photographed in the fields among the wheat before harvest.

I hope you are well.

PS.. I had the INCREDIBLE pleasure of spending time with Leslie Marsh this weekend. I told her how I much I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall at the gathering at Judi's home.

warmest wishes.

[Tina]

mmm... these envelopes, the project is amazing! As a child I drew envelopes with wings, wishes and dreams of a young girl flying to far away lands. I look forward to reading more.

[carole]

Hi Susanna:
No wonder Constance likes you so much!!! What a heart you have. Years ago I belonged to a group and we had the "Random acts of Kindness" tee shirts. If you e-mail me a winged envelope I can place them in Honolulu on Oahu as I am going there on May 22nd for job interviews. Then they can take flight in Paradise : )
Peace
carole
abohemianmarket@aol.com