Susanna's Sketchbook

November 25, 2009: Winged Messengers in Florida and Texas

It's evident when you drop by Deb Taylor's blog for a visit, that this bloggergal loves Life. She enjoys fun get-togethers with family and friends that often includes art, dancing and music. I think the photographs of her with her sweetie, Matt, are adorable. They both look like they were made for each other.

A few months ago I sent Deb a couple winged messengers (the last flock of 2009 were sent out yesterday) and she photographed them flying around in both Florida and Texas. Well, I'll let Deb tell you all about it.

I carried my camera and wings in my car and like a little kid hiding Easter eggs all afternoon for my brothers AFTER the Easter Bunny, I searched for uninvited places to land!

 I love to leave secret messages, love notes and random acts of kindness. So when you gave me two sets, I decided to carry one with me for photo opportunities. And the other I left behind at my local Thrift Store for the volunteers who works so hard, with very little appreciation. It felt so good to give back, in a magical invisible way!!

When I am taking pictures, usually someone will ask about it, so I use the opportunity to explain. You inspired me to make a stash of winged hearts out of paper bags and I carry those with me also to leave little messages in flight...I leave the heart space blank so I can fill in the appropriate message when the need arises!

"Free" is a sample of my own spin-off of yours. I rubber stamped the wings and handpainted the heart onto brown paper grocery bags. I carry a stash of them with me wherever I go and write personal messages that need to be released at that moment! I also carry painted rocks, by Kim Mailhot,  in my pocket to be placed in the hands of someone in need. These are simple gestures that mean so much to someone you never met before, and will most likely never see again, yet you know that you are placed in their path for a reason. Example, I was on an airplane last week, and a young lady boarding the plane was sobbing, all alone, trying to make her way to her seat at the back of the plane. I wiggled to get a rock out of my pocket in time, but she was long past me. So just as soon as I was allowed to get up, I went to find her. All I did was hand her the rock which said "hope" ; a simple, common word we see all the time. But I know it spoke volumes to her. As I waited in baggage claim I felt a squeeze on my arm, it was her with a smiling face, swollen eyes, and she simply said "Thank you." It spoke volumes to me.

Thank you, Deb!

November 23, 2009: Winged Messengers in France

Hey Susanna!
 
I did my first winged messenger! It was Remembrance Day last week, which I always find such a hard and sad day since it makes me reflect on the now distant acts of incredible bravery and sacrifice, the unimaginable suffering of my family and millions of others, the general insanity of war. The world we live in now seems to have forgotten what humanity went through during the two world wars, the chance we had to move in a different direction. I knew I wanted to do a WM (winged messenger) to mark the occasion of my being on this side of the ocean for this year's RD, but wasn't sure one would 'fit'. When I checked your envelope though, the one that says 'your courage gives someone hope' slipped out and I knew it was meant to be.
 
I walked over to the war memorial in the village, and there was a group of men standing around talking, right in front of it, which sort of intimidated me. But I walked straight over to where I wanted to place the WM, and you know what happened? They said goodbye to each other and walked away! So I was left to take my shots and feel connected to what was being memorialized, and to you, and to all of us in the world who see things in a slightly different way.
 
I went back a few days later, and the WM had been moved, but it was still there on the fence, with the wreaths! That means people have seen it, one person at least has touched it and carefully put it back in a good spot. Amazing!

(L. is a friend of mine from college. She is also a gifted handbag designer. L. and her wonderful husband, P., are starting a new chapter in their lives in France. You can read more of L's adventures on her blog.)

November 20, 2009: Winged Messengers

Cough! Cough! Hack! Hack! Popping Ibuprofen and chomping on cherry-flavored cough candies - that's what I've doing this past week. That and making my last flock of winged messengers in 2009. Several winged messengers will be flying to different parts of the United States while others will make their maiden voyages to countries in Africa and Central and South America. Cool, eh? I'm really excited about it. A couple new participants in the project have sent me photographs of the winged messengers placed in their own communities or in places they have traveled through. I'm looking forward to showing you those photographs next week.

Once this latest flock is released, I'm going to focus on encaustic painting and preparing for the upcoming holidays. I had a terrific time painting with my two friends last Sunday but after we finished, I wasn't that thrilled with what I had created so I scraped the image, the wax, everything off to the base coat. Yep, it was one of those moments when I thought, Ugh! That is U-G-L-Y! Make it go away! The great thing about encaustic painting is that if you don't like what's happening, melt the wax and reuse it again for something new.

And what have you been up to?

September 25, 2009

Back in August, I sent out a flock of winged messengers to several readers who wanted to participate in my winged messenger project. One of the participants was Nikki, the founder of Skirt! Magazine, a free newspaper "all about women...their work, play, families, creativity, style, health, and wealth, bodies and souls...Skirt! is an attitude." It is available in print form throughout parts of the South and there is also an online version of Skirt! Magazine here.

Well, a couple weeks ago I began receiving supportive emails from Skirt! readers who saw my wings mentioned on Nikki's Planet Nikki page in this month's issue. Thank you, Nikki.

Janet, a yoga instructor in Virginia and a reader of Skirt! Magazine, asked me if I would like a copy of the magazine article to which I replied, Yes! And a few days later her envelope arrived. Wasn't that nice of her? Thank you, Janet.

For more information regarding my winged messenger project, please look under Susanna's Winged Messengers in my sidebar.

August 27, 2009

Last May, the lovely Mo'a sent me photographs of the winged messenger she took with her on a visit to Denmark. Unfortunately, I never received the photographs until she resent them to me two days ago. So without further delay...

I met Mo'a through Constance at a bloggergal picnic in New Jersey two years ago. She is an elegant woman originally from the magical country of Iceland. During our picnic together, we asked Mo'a about her country and as she often does in her blog, she shared stories of her country with us. And then she showed us her dolls. You can't help but grin when greeting one of Mo'a's little creations. They are chock full of personality and are often based on fairytales, including Icelandic folklore.

Last March, Mo'a went to visit her son and his family in Denmark and she took one of my winged messengers with her. This is what she wrote:

When I was in Denmark at Easter time, Victor, my little Grandson turned two. There was a Breakfast Birthday Party for him and as I was helping set the table, I noticed how the sun light played on the table and how the glasses and cups cast a shadow. The little train with candles and the number two made my heart skip a beat. I had seen the train in a photo with the number one. I thought to myself, 'how many his birthday parties of his will I be able to attend'?

Having family in another land is sometimes hard, as you well know from your own experience. There are so many milestones and occasions we miss. I have known this all my adult life as I moved to the US from Iceland...and now my son and his family live in Denmark.I found this a perfect occasion to mark with one of your Winged Messengers.

And later, after her return to the United States, Mo'a wrote:

One of my favourite places in the world is right here in New Jersey: Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. I have been there every year since I moved here and in several seasons...this year I want to go in winter.

 

Two weeks ago, Ken and I went there again with the express purpose of giving your winged messenger a place to land. I chose the sculpture by the late Isaac Witkin for several reasons. One, I like his work and find it stately. Two, he was a client of my husband's. Three, I have been to his atelier and saw where the sculpture was made. 

I was thrilled at the thought of someone finding your winged messenger at the bottom of his sculpture.

I am, too. Thank you, Mo'a! Mo'a's blog and artwork can be found here. To learn more about my winged messenger project and to see photographs of winged messengers placed and photographed by readers, please check out Susanna's Winged Messengers under my Categories, on the right-hand side of my blog.

July 8, 2009

Several weeks ago, I met up with my friend, Rena, at a favourite cafe. Now I've written about by friendship with Rena before. She was my first friend in the United States and sensing that I was homesick for my family and friends in Canada, she would pick me up in her car and show me around the area. We may not see each other as often these days - Rena is now an amazing mom to a rambunctious five year old - but I value the moments when we do get together.

During our conversation, Rena told me about her trip to Dubai this past spring. It always interests me to hear of everyday life in other countries and Rena has certainly been a window (and a kitchen, lucky me!) into that part of the world.

Over a coffee and a scone, I asked Rena endless questions about Dubai. She told me that prior to the 1930's and 40's, the region consisted of trading ports and small villages known for their wild pearl diving. Traders would sell the pearls to neighboring countries, including India, in exchange for spices. The Dubai cuisine still reflects this relationship with India and the surrounding regions.

I asked Rena what happened to the old, pearl-fishing villages and she told me that pearls are cultivated through modern means now and that the region has changed considerably. In the 1960's, oil was discovered and as a result, there was an influx of international money. The Sheikh who ruled Dubai at the time (I'm not sure of his name) wanted to modernize his country so the oil money was poured into developing the region. His plan evidently worked. Dubai now has high rise condos and office towers, designer hotels and luxury resorts, and man-made islands/private suburbs. It's an architect's dream.

 

As you can see, Rena brought along two of my winged messengers and left them on the beach for a stranger to find.

Thank you, Rena.

June 25, 2009

On Wednesday morning, I opened my email and found a message from lovely Christina. When I opened it, I found this photograph:

My first thought upon seeing the "Share Your Dreams With Someone" winged messenger attached to the chain link fence, in front of a construction site was of the many people in this country who have lost their homes or are still fighting to keep their homes since the housing crisis began. Such stress, such heartbreak. I feel for anyone struggling to hold onto the place they call Home.

Then I went to Christina's blog and read the post that accompanies her photograph. Oh my.

This is an excerpt:

Have I ever told you there is a foster home/school, not too far from where I live? Each time I pass this home filled with children, I say a prayer for them. Inside my heart breaks, I want to hug each one of them, and tell them... it will get better, don't give up.

Ironically there is a construction site (across the way) where there are beautiful lofts being built. Homes.

I noticed the open staircase from a distance... through the fence. The sun danced on the steps and called my name, at the same time. I listened. I turned the wings toward the foster home play ground, with hope that each child will dream big, be blessed and occasionally notice this same sunset, that called my name.

Needless to say, I was moved by Christina's post. Moved to tears. Thank you, Christina.

June 17, 2009

Several weeks ago, Angie Byers sent me a few photographs of winged messengers flying about Moorsville, North Carolina.

The photographs of the bench are in Mooresville, NC, outside of the Mooresville Artist Guild. As someone who formerly drew and painted, I thought it an important place to leave "Your Opinion Matters." So many artists are pushed by family and teachers to be an artist that they are not. After many years of struggling with art, I let it go. I now embrace my photography as my art. Instead of being disatisfied with my brush, I can paint a picture with my lens. I am at peace and I know that ONLY MY Opinion Matters!

The photographs of the Triumph TR6 are based in my love affair with cars. I seem to be drawn to the ones that are left in an abandoned state (usually by an owner who will not give them away or sell them). It is a heartbreak for me to see so many cars just wasting away when there are thousands of people who would be happy to taken them. I love British convertibles. Cars are a constant in my photography. I think that my happiest days of being with my camera are the days when I am able to photograph cars!!
 

The "You are beautiful" winged messenger was left on a mirror at The Cracked Teapot in Taylorsville, NC. The photos you see are from a little girl's Tea Party. Anyone who walked through the door could see that they were beautiful.

Your photographs are beautiful, Angie. Thank you! To see more winged messengers, placed and photographed by readers, check out "Susanna's Winged Messengers" in my sidebar (right).

June 10, 2009

I have been very lucky to have received photographs from readers who have placed my winged messengers in their neighborhoods and in locations where they have traveled. Over the next week or so, I will be posting their photographs along with excerpts from the emails I have received, explaining why they chose that particular location.
 
This photograph was taken by my sweet friend, Madelyn Mulvaney, during her recent trip to Pennsylvania. While she was there, Maddie and her friend and project collaborator, David, hosted a garden party. She wrote:

It was completely
magical and i tied your winged messenger underneath the
tree where everyone danced to records ~ the tree was strung
with twinkle lights and i captured a lovely shot of your
ethereal messenger

somehow i just felt right to do this and i could feel your
presence there (of course i will set the winged beauty free
in the next week in vancouver but i was completely
moved to invite it to the party)

Maddie has also written a blog post about the garden party and winged messengers. Thank you, my friend. The photograph is pretty and your words are poetic and beautiful. I felt as though I was at the garden party! 

*To see other winged messengers placed and photographed by readers, please check out Susanna's Winged Messengers in my side category.

**An extra note about the winged messenger project: For those people to whom I said that I would send a pair of wings, I'm shamefully behind in making a new flock for which I apologize. They will be coming! For those who have received a winged messenger or two and have not sent me a photograph, please do so or let me know what's been happening in regards to that. Thank you!

May 2, 2009

Over the past month or so, the lovely LiLi has been emailing me her photographs of  winged messengers flying throughout the Netherlands, in both Dordrecht and Rotterdam. These are only a few of LiLi's photographs along with excerpts from her accompanying emails:

"Dordrecht isn't a rich town. This has one big advantage: a lot has been preserved. Like this total out of fashion shoe shop with 'bend' windowglass and real wood, dating beginning 20th century."

 

"Today my daughter and I went to Rotterdam. Rotterdam centre was bombed and destroyed in 1940. Since then, the people of Rotterdam are building, building and building. There is a bit of a skyline here and a lot of modern architecture. We start with the famous dice houses":

 

 

"[Below is the] Willemsbrug (Williams bridge)...[and] on the right, one of the few older buildings that has survived the bombing; het Witte huis, (the white house) 1898. This art nouveau building was New York-inspired and in fact Europe's first skyscraper at a height of 45 meter (49,3 yards). You are looking in the old harbour...[as] in Dordrecht, only historic vessels are allowed here."

"This is where we left the wings. In front of the Willem de Kooning academy, which is an art academy, we found this cardboard house, perhaps a project of the academy. I thought it was nice to make an addition to this project. I hope you like that idea too!"

I do, LiLi! And thank you!!