It is hard to believe that Woodstock was already 40 years ago.  I am one of the people who was really there – not just feeling like I was there from the movies.  I still have my tickets … and the little ceramic animals someone threw from the stage.  It was a wonderful experience … it was amazing as we drove toward the festival, the traffic just stopped … the whole highway was clogged by abandoned cars .. abandoned on the way to Woodstock.  So we got out of the car with whatever we had … and started walking …

Woodstock Tribute I, Digital  © Diane Clancy

Much has been said about the Woodstock experience … each person had a different thread of being and yet we all wove together an incredible tapestry …  the details of my own individual time seem so unimportant … it the beauty of the whole that truly matters .. and there are plenty of stories all around.

Woodstock Tribute II, Digital © Diane Clancy

Woodstock is an important milestone on the journey of creating a better world.  In my opinion the Civil Rights Movement, then the anti-Vietnam war (anti the war, NOT anti the soldiers – my friends and I was always very clear about that!) moved us toward Woodstock.  Music has been such a vehicle to inspire and transform people (like art can be too) .. and there was already very powerful music from both of those movements.

To me, much of the explosion of movements for various social justice issues were supported by Woodstock.  Woodstock was part of their foundation, just like the Civil Rights and anti-war movements were foundations of Woodstock.  Of course, these are only snapshots of movements through history … lots happened before the lifetime of the Flower Children.

Clamshell Alliance brought together large groups of people, committed to a common purpose (supporting alternative energy that was good for the environment – now, of course, most people realize we need sustainable energy). Of course, there were no drugs or alcohol allowed there … and much of the good will and all working together were formalized into affinity groups where people knew they were responsible for and to each other.  Every participant was trained in non-violence theory and practice and needed to make a commitment to non-violence  – that was a continuation of Woodstock, among other influences (like Ghandi).

Many other groups came together in the 1970′s to create the world of peace, love and social justice.  I do not see Woodstock as separate from this at all … but as part of a continuum.  In the movie I watched last night -  “Woodstock: Now and Then” – it suggested that Woodstock was an incredible stand alone phenomenon.  (At least that was my understanding of what was said by some of the organizers.) There were lots of interviews including Michael Lang, Artie Cornfeld, Richie Havens, Graham Nash and others….

Wonderful as Woodstock was (as an idea even more than the actual experience …), it’s impact is multiplied by understanding it in the context of the history of the wondrous journey of people coming together to create a better world.  Ghandi in India, union organizers in the US, the Freedom Train to help escaped slaves and the Suffrage Movement for women to get the vote – all these movements are part of the foundation that made Woodstock the fantastic time, memory and inspiration that it remains.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts and thank you for coming by!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Woodstock, peace, love, social justice, Woodstock: Now and Then, Clamshell Alliance, Freedom Train, Ghandi, Suffrage Movement, labor organizers, Michael Lang, Artie Cornfeld, Richie Havens, Graham Nash

Today is a Day of Remembrance in the US.  Remembering all those who have served to protect people and to bring peace to the world – who have served in the military – and who have often paid the price with their lives.  Thank you for your service that you have given over the years – that service which has protected many people. This vibrant, colorful painting seemed particularly appropriate to honor these brave men and women.  There are others I would also like to Remember today.

Remember all those peace and justice activists who dedicated their lives, and sometimes also died, in the service of creating peace and social justice, here and the rest of the world.

Underground, Tempera © Diane Clancy

Remember those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the earth and the environment – they are blessed for striving to live in harmony with the planet that allows us to live.

Remember those who protect, educate, and inspire children – those who work so tirelessly to make sure our wonderful resource of the next generations have a good foundation.

Remember those in the military who have stepped outside their official roles to touch others’ lives at the deepest level and build human, emotional bridges across differences and pain.

Remember those who dedicate their lives to providing health care to others, who assist those who are suffering from illness and pain.  Remember those who strive to make sure all receive good health care.

Remember those who grow our food – the farmers who plant and care for the food, the workers who harvest the food so that we may all eat.  Thank you for allowing us to live.

Remember those around the earth who are working to create their vision of peace and social justice wherever they are.  Remember those who struggle against tyranny and oppression and work to create freedom.

Remember those who create art, music, theater and more – to inspire us and remind us that there is more to life than living.

Remember those who heal and bring spiritual nourishment into the earth and humankind – they give us vision and help create this dream.

Remember each of those that touch our lives, each day, in so many ways.  Thank you to those who touch my life by reflecting to me that I make a difference to you with my art, writing and vision.  Thank you!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, tempera, love, peace, justice

Amanda Makepeace featured me on One Pebble: An Art Exchange today.  Amanda LOVES pebbles and she has a great offer of gifting someone an original Art Card, ACEO each time someone sends her a pebble.  WOW – that is some trade.  Awhile ago I walked around the block and picked up a variety of pebbles of different colors, textures and sizes to thrill Amanda … she gets such a kick out of them!  She wrote a great post right here about my pebbles (and the ACEO I gave her)!!  You can see one of my vibrant, colorful paintings in the image below and much more clearly in Amanda’s post!  Thank you, Amanda!

I LOVE the name of her post – Beauty in Diversity!!  Please go over and check out her blog about this pebble exchange!  Also I want to show you some of the ACEOs that she has traded for pebbles … right here … and from there, you can go check The Artist and other parts of this site.  She also have a link to her regular website.  Amanda is a very creative artist and very active in online activities.  Plus she is kind and generous – a great combo!

This Earth Day vibrant, colorful painting shows humanity taking a leap into our next level of awareness so that we may live more in harmony with our environment.  Today is Earth Day – let’s all do what we can to make this planet and ourselves healthy for humanity and all living beings!!  Each step we make helps ourselves and all others!   Many of us are in the process of being more aware, concerned and thoughtful about multiple issues.  It is amazing all the wonderful groups and concerns that come into my InBox at Facebook.  Pretty incredible and inspiring.  Many of us are working to make our foot print on the earth smaller … and looking for more ways to reduce our impact.  Yay for all of us participating in this consciousness!  And there is so much left that we still need to do.

Hopefully with the new leadership in the US taking a role in leading the way with these environmental realizations, there will be lots more progress.  It is so important that we do this at the micro and macro levels!!  Thank you to everyone who contributes to caring for the earth!  What do you do to contribute to caring for the Earth?  What do you want to do in the future?  What would you like to do but just can’t imagine doing?  Any thoughts are appreciated!

Earth Day, Digital © Diane Clancy

Today most of the day has been spent resolving the stressful situation.  I think now it is clear what the issues and outcome are – I don’t like them but they are set.  Some things could get changed and some not.  After knowing, it becomes necessary to accept what cannot be changed and move on to creating and living a life of joy as much as possible!  Thank you for stopping by!!  I would love to hear how YOU are!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Earth Day, environment, consciousness, awareness, Facebook, earth

Today is SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now) – today, March 28, 2009 is the second year of this “new international holiday that celebrates women artists.  It is an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of Women’s History Month (March).” The executive director, Martha Richards says  “Together we will build a world where women artists get the respect they deserve!” There is a website SWAN Day (http://swanday.org) which lists 160 SWAN Day 2009 events in 11 countries!  WOW this is quite something to see all these people, women, working together together to make this world a better place for all us women artists!

Buying something from your favorite woman artists is a great place to start!  I am very active and involved in networking and supporting other artists online and at least 90% of the people in the artist teams and groups I am active with are women.  We are all working and searching for good ways to get our great work out there to YOU in a way that is affordable to you and gives us decent payment for what we have created.

SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now)

At this website, there are some very cool resources.  Many of them are focused on raising money and publicity for SWAN Day … but they can be useful for us as women artists as we promote ourselves, our artwork and our art businesses.  We are starting to write press releases for the next AWE Project (Artists Window Exhibit) (Greenfield, Franklin County, MA, US) and I think we will be using these resources to improve what we send out to promote this event that features mostly women artists.

I am going to share some of the other resources that were shared with me.  I am quoting here from an email sent to me by Julie Forbes, Associate Director, SWAN Day.  Here is a very extended excerpt from her email.

Explore www.womenarts.org. Here’s some of what you’ll find:

**Grants/Resources Information**

Search our well-researched, annotated lists of arts funders, categorized by art form, at www.WomenArts.org/fund/fundlists.html. For answers to many of your funding questions, see our Funding FAQs page at www.womenarts.org/fund/FAQ.htm.

**Funding and Resource Newsletters for Film/Video and Theatre Artists**

These free, bi-monthly newsletters are chock full of current calls for entries from competitions and festivals and requests for proposals from funding organizations. Read recent issues or sign up for free subscriptions at www.WomenArts.org/fund/EmailNewsletterSign-Up.htm.

**The WomenArts Network**

A one-of-a-kind showcase of the diversity and creativity of women artists in all the artistic disciplines, the WomenArts Network is a webspace where woman artists or women-run arts organizations may post free profiles about themselves and their work. With over 1000 profiles of artists living in every state in the U.S. and 23 countries around the world, the WomenArts Network is helping women artists connect to each other and acting as a clearinghouse for those looking to hire a woman artist. Go to www.WomenArts.org and click on WomenArts Network to search the profiles or to get started creating one of your own.  End of the quote – and there was more … check out these resources and you will find them!

I hope you have enjoyed finding out about this, as I have.  And remember, today is SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now), but EVERY day is a great day to Support Women Artists!!  I hope you read this today and also keep this for yourself and woman artists in your life! Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: SWAN Day, women, Support Women Artists Now, Fund for Women Artists, WomenArts Network

Quoting from the site “In an effort to remember them, Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. The butterflies will eventually comprise a breath-taking exhibition, currently scheduled for Spring 2012, for all to remember. As of Summer 2008, we have already collected an estimated 400,000 butterflies.”

You can read about and participate in this incredibly powerful and important project.  You can read the details on the site or at the site of Staci Rose of Staci Rose Designs. Staci is a creative artist and she is coordinating the contributions to the Butterfly Project from WWAO (Worldwide Women Artists Online).  Here is her post where she shares details that any individual or group can send their creations to.  Anyone, anywhere in the world is welcome to contribute … and the guidelines are simple and clear.

Butterflies I, Digital © Diane Clancy

These are 2 of the contributions I am making.  I have 5 digital paintings of butteflies that I am giving and 4 little ones in traditional mediums.  They are all ACEOs.  I felt pretty clumsy using the watercolors, markers, pastels, ink and crayons that I did use, but I figure that what really counts in something like this is the intent.  And I wanted to really contribute to this Butterfly Project.  Sometimes I do create in a naive style I guess … but that is often what comes out.

Butterfly Project IV, Sketch © Diane Clancy

As I mentioned, we of WWAO are going to make a contribution toward the Butterfly Project.  Here is some information about us: WWAO on the site says “Worldwide Women Artists is an international collective of women artists showing and selling our work through the worldwide web. As women artists, we give birth to our ideas in a variety of styles and media. We embrace the diversity of each other’s work, celebrating the joy of creating our art and sharing it with the world. We welcome female visual artists from all over the world who create and sell their own original art.”

I would love to hear your thoughts about how you might honor this process of acknowledging this event to recognize all these children perishing.  Such pain to the soul of this earth and humanity! The deadline isn’t until June 30, 2011 … so you have plenty of time to get involved.  I want to thank the museum and people for giving us all this opportunity.  I would love to hear from you!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Staci Rose, Butterfly Project, Holocaust Museum Houston, Holocaust, WWAO, Worldwide Women Artists Online, naive style

It has been a real treat to hear the similarity … and differences from around the  world about “knock on wood.”  Here are a couple of examples …  Irene (Netherlands) says, “‘touch wood’ … and look around for some wood to knock on.”

Deb (Australia) says, “I remember reading somewhere that the concept of touching wood is based on the cross of Jesus and goes back in ancient Norse mythology to Odin’s (Woden’s) tree, which some say preceded both the crucifix, and Druidism which worshipped the tree-gods, in concept. “  One cool thing about this is that is goes well with yesterday’s image also.

Name V, Digital © Diane Clancy

Max (Portugal) says, “But for us knocking on wood is to chase bad luck, or to ask the Higher Forces to prevent something bad from happening. And it makes sense, become when you do it you will stir the energies and bad spirits (that many times help bad things to happen) are chased away (just like clapping in Tibete).”

Thank you everyone who shared about this … it is worth reading the comments from yesterday!  Also, the comments are incredible about naming that image … (I am still processing them and loved them all!! – I will choose a name … I do go back and change them in the post when I have decided.) I am having so much fun hearing your comments about what you see in my paintings and the names you are drawn to share, that I am going to ask you for more thoughts and ideas!

Name VI, Digital © Diane Clancy

Thank you also to everyone who reminded me that it is my response to the events going on, not the events themselves that are the problem.  I know that in my head … and usually also do a pretty good job of putting it into action … it is just during the last 7 weeks the accumulated effects of the circumstances have broken through my usual good habits. Especially with 2 delays in the process.

I keep telling myself that this is a spiritual growth spurt  .. and I will be stronger out of it all … I know that is true, it is just very unpleasant and the stress (or my reaction to the stress) has wrecked havoc on my body.  My back is a little better (went for a short walk outside) … but tomorrow will be here soon and then it will be over.  And then I will look at myself and say, “how silly, how human, let’s do better next time … and let’s hope this particular next time never happens again!!”

I am thrilled to be featured at SlogBite this week … I will write more tomorrow about that.  Here is the link to see what Mel said about me!! Wow and thank you!

I would love to hear how you are doing and also hear more on how you deal with circumstances that are less than ideal.  Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, wood, culture

My back is better today than the wild pain I was in yesterday.  I am lucky that I have a little back massage machine that has been helping too.  In several more days the issue that is greatly aggravating my stress level will (hopefully, knock on wood) be over.  (In English, in the US, the comment “knock on wood” is a way of not tempting fate by being overly confident … it means “let’s hope anyway, and I am not taking any chances!”  I would love to hear if you have ever heard of this before (from people outside the US) and if it makes any sense to you. Do you have your own phrases with a similar intent?  I would love it if you have ideas of a name for this vibrant, colorful painting.  I think it is cool.

Name I, Digital © Diane Clancy

I would love to hear how you are doing and also how you deal with circumstances that are less than ideal.  Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting

Today I made some progress on catching up on some things that I to put aside the last 5 weeks as I have dealt with this stressful family issue.  It felt great to get some of my own work done today!  And I talked with my friend who is in Paris now – we talked for almost an hour and a half.  It is amazing to me that regular people can do that now … really talk with people around the world.  Fantastic!!

Speaking of which … she went to this incredible exhibit in Paris that has just closed .. to then move on to other parts of the world.  This is .. 6 Billion Others by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.  It was housed in a 4 story glass conservatory and it had huts inside … ok that was the least important part – but even that sounds so perfect!

Micro View, Digital © Diane Clancy

They interviewed over 5,000 people and asked them to each talk about the same issues and then shared what people said.  It was one person sharing after another and very powerful!  There is also an online version that you will probably want to go check out  – 6 Billion Others (http://6billionothers.org).  I have had a chance to only glance at this so far … but it is very exciting!

Such a powerful tool to show how we are all human .. everywhere on this earth. Here is one of my vibrant, colorful paintings! Thank you for stopping by!  I would love to hear about you!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, 6 Billion Others, Yann Arthus-Bertrand

1,000 Faces of Mother Henna is a powerful project that Kara L.C. Jones has undertaken. These 1,000 pieces of art have been inspired by “Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces and the Jizos for Peace art at Great Vow Monastery.”

Kara is also participating in the One World, One HeART GiveAway – you can find her giveaway here and you can see mine right here  One World, One HeART GiveAway. I am going to show you some images … with links to these specific pages where you can see more. When several images link to the same page, I put a link only on the name of the first image.

Shape Your Life, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

Mother Henna by artist Kara L.C. Jones has been working on an incredible project of making 1,000 Faces of Mother Henna. I have wanted to write about her work for over a year … her handling of color in these vibrant, colorful paintings remind me of how I handle color too .. but then I always love others work too … and wish I could create like Kara!

Love Lady, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

This is one of the many variations where she talks the same basic structure and plays with color.  I am sure many of my readers will recognize this method with my bubblescapes.  It is amazing to me what the change of color does!

Love Lady, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

And this is yet another variation – I LOVE them!

Love Lady, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

If you read Kara’s blog on a regular basis, she will share many of the joys and struggles she has experienced and lived in her life.  She makes many kinds of art, but these colorful images I find incredibly striking!

Loving, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

This was from one of the first posts of Kara’s I ever saw – and it just grabbed me!! The power is intense to me!  There are yet more variations of this image on this post. Just lovely!

Freedom, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

I have spent hours opening up different pages of Kara’s and choosing only a large handful of her images to show you … she is one fine woman and creates lovely art! Kara is also the one who sponsors Celebrate HeART I speak about in this post of mine.

Freedom, © Mother Henna, Kara Jones

Remember to participate in our free giveaways – Kara is participating in the One World, One HeART GiveAway – you can find her giveaway here and you can see mine right here  One World, One HeART GiveAway.  I would love to hear how you are doing. Thanks for coming by!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: vibrant colorful painting, Mother Henna, Kara L.C. Jones, 1000 Faces of Mother Henna, Joseph Campbell, Hero with a Thousand Faces, Jizos for Peace, Great Vow Monastery, free giveaway

Win 2 free cards!! It’s that time of year again! For the worldwide One World, One HeART GiveAway – I am pretty excited!!  There are already over 400 blogs giving away gifts to people who enter their giveaways!!  You need to leave a comment to participate – of course with a way to contact you. Details for you to join in your own blog are here.

Lisa Oceandreamer started OWOH 2 years ago and she has a blog here which lists all the blogs involved and gives the details. If you are thinking of joining in and having your own giveaway, please go there and get the details.

Conundrum I, Collage © Diane Clancy

Lots and lots of blogs are giving away items – to show love and build the blogosphere. So once I knew, how can I resist? My give-away will be two of any of these cards of my vibrant, colorful paintings. You choose which ones and I will send them to you – for FREE. (and yes, you can choose 2 of the same).

Reflections in Blue I, Pastel © Diane Clancy

You have until February 11 (at least at most blogs) to leave your name and join in each blog’s give-away. If you want to win the give-away, leave enough information for me in a comment to this post so I can get a hold of you. Remember your email is hidden so it is safe with me.

Reflections in Blue II, Pastel © Diane Clancy

Make sure your email address is a valid one and not one of the no-reply ones. Please do not leave sensitive info like your address or phone .. I can get your address when you win!

Mother Watching All, Oil © Diane Clancy

I will accept all entries until midnight eastern time on February 11 and then the winner will be announced on February 12 … and then your gift will be coming your way! To ANYWHERE in the world!

Sight, Collage © Diane Clancy

Here are more details if you would like to participate. There are tons of blogs participating … so gone on over and check them out! I know I plan to!! Also this list will stay up for 6 months after the event ends – so it is a great way to find wonderful new blogs!

Anticipation, Collage © Diane Clancy

The prize is any 2 of these cards. The size is 4.25 x 6″ and they are professionally printed. I look forward to seeing who wins!!  Starting in March I am going to be doing a monthly giveaway of one of these cards – your choice – in exchange for allowing me to put you on my email list … this is NOT for this giveaway – but for the one starting montly in March.

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: One World One Heart, GiveAway, Lisa Oceandreamer, blogosphere, free, Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting

The festival of Get to the heART of it!!!! asks everyone to share your HeART by words, art, video – whatever speaks to you around love of art or love of life!

Mother Henna by artist Kara L.C. Jones has been working on an incredible project of making 1,000 Faces of Mother Henna. I am going to write more about that on Friday … it is quite a project!! But she is also sponsoring a Blog Festival: Get to the heART of it!!!! You can see the details in her post. So I am getting to the HeART of it also … hence the badge that celebrates her Festival.

Mother Henna – Get to the HeART of it!!

I am joining into this celebration and I encourage you to join in also!  The gist of joining to is to “post an entry on your own blog before Valentines Day 2009. Share your love of art or love of life or host a heART themed party or tell us about the heART of yourself. Tell us what is at the heART of you! Words, art, video, anything you wish. Write a poem, share a short story, all formats welcome.“

Conundrum I, Collage © Diane Clancy

After thinking about what really represents the “the heART of myself,” I realized that this particular image is the visual representation of myself and my soul.  This vibrant, colorful painting was one that took me dozens of hours to complete. It is also very precious to me because I was spending some time at home with my parents when I started this … and my mom spent time with me choosing some of these pieces of fabric and paper to put together to create this piece. I love it and it speaks so deeply to me.

For many people it is their favorite piece of mine … If I had to choose one piece to keep, this would be it.  Also the double faces look a little like a heart. So this is my contribution for Getting to the heART of it!!!! I hope you also will share your HeART by words, art, video – whatever speaks to you around love of art or love of life!

I would like to acknowledge today that a most wondrous, historic, hopeful event happened as Obama became the President of the US today!!  This has the potential to be a unifying force in this whole earth with the leadership of such a smart, thoughtful person!  Such a joy!!!   I would love to hear how you are doing. Thanks for coming by!!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Conundrum I, Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Mother Henna, Kara L.C. Jones, 1000 Faces of Mother Henna, Celebrating HeART, festival, collage

I have been tagged by 3 people over the last couple of months … and I will be doing my blog tomorrow (Wed at the latest) to respond (and thank) to the tags and to tag some of you!! In the meantime I will share this story I have promised you – a story that inspired me greatly!  This was something I read (years ago).  I forget the source and some the of the details may be somewhat inaccurate but sticking with the essential truth of the story.  (I am better on broad strokes than details around remembering things  … oh, that can be one of my things to tell you the tagged items tomorrow <grin>.)  If you want to skip my prologue and epilogue, go right to the story in bold red.

Slipping, Digital © Diane Clancy

These first paragraphs are giving background information for those unfamilar with these issues. In the United States issues around welfare are seen as a big deal.  In this country, we give some people a monthly stipend and health care for themselves (and often they have children also) so that they may live. This happens when people apply for help because they cannot do it themselves. In this country there is often a negative stigma to asking for this kind of aid.  Also many of us who have disabilities have also had to ask for help (disability payments) to survive. Unfortunately, there is a lot of judging by many toward those needing help.

Other countries tend not to have the same judgments about helping people to have a roof over their heads, food in their tummy and health care.  But in this country there are often pretty tough attitudes toward people needing help.  (I know -  I was on disability for a long time – because I needed it to live). People can become dependent on help for sure … but many people use it for a short term assistance until they can keep a job with a livable wage.

There are many other issues that complicate things for people wanting to get a job that will support themselves and their families.  Some areas have entrenched poverty.  Often the educational system is not giving everyone equal opportunities to get quality education.  Also, there are many personal issues that can complicate things for many.  And, the US, unlike most other so-called developed countries, does not provide health care for all.  Many people, especially women, have felt they needed welfare because they couldn’t make the jump to a job that provided health coverage for themselves and their children. I tell you this to set the background for this uplifting story.

[THE STORY] There was a group of welfare recipients who were chosen to see if they could work together and figure out how to get off welfare and get back to work.  Most people would rather be working (in a decent job environment) … rather than collecting welfare.  But it is often hard to know what steps to take once you get to a place of needing help.  This was a study set up by someone to see what might help get people another level in their lives.

So this group started meeting and talked about what was in their lives that they needed help with.  One woman said her screen door was ripped and the landlord wouldn’t return her calls.  A man spoke up … he said he knew how to fix that and would be delighted to!!  Out of this interaction, this was the start of his creating his own fix-it business and he was able to become self-supporting.

Another woman shared that it was needing childcare that was the roadblock to her going to the local community college so that she could learn skills to support herself.  A third woman spoke up, saying that her kids were at home and she would welcome taking care of some others.  Out of this interaction, the third woman started her own daycare and become self-supporting.  The second woman completed her degree and was able to get a job so she could support herself and her children.  [End Story}

This inspires me so much!! It is the whole idea of looking at people and seeing their assets and not just their deficits. The usual welfare system (and disability system) are focused on seeing people as needy and not seeing their strengths also. That was what was (and is) so inspiring to me around this short part of the story that I remember.  I do think it is important that people contribute to society – and there are many, many ways to contribute.

I think helping people build on their skills is a smart thing to do.  Most people are eager to be able to give – but it is harder to think about others when your own (and your children’s) basic needs aren’t being met.  This kind of supporting people to be empowered and self-sufficient is more time and money consuming at the beginning, but has an excellent pay-off.  It is like giving kids a quality education is much better (and cheaper) for society – in the long run. Remember, any of us could be in a situation of needing help from others!!

If you want to see the 2 articles I wrote in early December (they were the precursors to this), you can see them here (World AIDS Day and Me) and here (HIV/AIDS and Community Organizing). I hope you enjoyed this inspiration of these 4 people … and please forgive all the surrounding details to put it in context for those who live outside the US. Thanks for coming by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: welfare, disability, assets

Monday, December 1, was Worlds AIDS Day and I wrote quite a long post about my 15 years as an HIV/AIDS activist.  This odd little image is sometimes what it was like to be so engrossed in the world of HIV/AIDS – all encompassing and disorienting.   I told you I wanted to share one more part about the organizing we did during those years …  So I will.

Floating, Digital © Diane Clancy

I am very tired because we just prepared everything for the fair on Saturday and Sunday …. but I promised you I would tell you about this piece … so I am going to dive in … we’ll see how far we get today.

We called our group the AIDS Community Group of Franklin County (Mass).  This shows the focus we had on empowering the community – both people with HIV/AIDS, those affected by HIV/AIDS, and the rest of the community too.  We felt (and still do) that it is in everyone’s best interest that all people get treated with respect and also have their needs met.  We wanted to live in a community where everyone was seen as having something to contribute … and gaining from being part of a larger community.

We had no idea that this was a novel or unusual way of thinking about things … it just seemed the correct way to go about approaching solutions to this issue.  We ran into some issues with social service agencies that thought we were naive and ignorant. Now there is a fairly large industry around HIV/AIDS … and that it a very different orientation.

One day several of us were at a meeting and someone gave a keynote speech about the difference between social service models and empowerment models. (I can’t remember the name that the speaker used for the model that was different from social services).  Those of us there picked up our ears … ah, there was a name for what we were doing and other people were thinking about it too.

Often a social service model treats people like the problem .. thus something to be fixed … the people are the problem.  The solutions are also seen to lie outside the individuals involved – the system treated or fixed or served them.  (Sort of like the old model of medicine where the doctor was God and the patient was not part of the equation or team).

In the community empowerment model the people and the community are seen as integral to the solutions … they are not the problem, but rather the answer. Ah, yes, I am remembering a little more as I am writing.  It is the difference between seeing the assets of people rather than their deficits.  The social service model tends to see the problems and the lack, and the community organizing model tends to see the assets of community and individuals – what they have to offer, not just what they need.

We were intuitively organizing this way … it sure made sense to me!! (And actually I was the creator and coordinator – surprise!) It is how I mostly see the world – it is mostly part of my personality and world view.  The group attracted lots of people who had never done any organizing before and who felt incredibly empowered by contributing to the community like that.  It was great and as individuals we were also empowered!!

Several of us were articulate about our model and we took the show on the road (we were asked to).  We did some trainings around New England at different HIV/AIDS meetings and conferences.  It was a very exciting and empowering time!!

It was also very validating that a model that we had created from our own life experiences received such notice and acceptance.  It was thrilling that there already were theories backing up our ways and thinking.  Very wonderful – and exhausting – time. Thanks for listening to my story!

This is long enough that I a going to continue it one more day … probably to Friday or Saturday.  I want to share something that I read about once that is wondrous to me … about organizing some welfare recipients had done.  To me, it is an extension of this – and I tell my memory of the story as often as I can because it is so exciting.

Thank you for coming by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Worlds AIDS Day, HIV/AIDS, fair, community empowerment model

Yesterday was quite a busy day – the people downstairs’ lock broke – again – so a chunk of the day was spent on that.  I have to deal with plenty around this house … it is close to 100 years young and is lovely!! and also old. This is one issue that weaves through my life – and for some times of things I need to deal with them quickly – for sure!

I have done community organizing for over 40 years … lots of volunteer work – in many different areas.  Given my health, it was one way I could contribute to the community – yet still take care of my health.  It gave me a sense of purpose much larger than myself and my own issues and concerns.  I feel really good about all the work I done over the years – in peace, environmental, health, and social and economic justice issues.  Yes – I have been a little busy – and much of the work I was even able to do from bed! (I am sure I could write a book with tales of my life and organizing.) (My treatment went well today.)

A couple of years ago I decided that I needed to switch my organizing focus to art organizing.  It seemed important to back up my art career with mainly focusing on the creative arts.  “They,” “The Experts,” all say that the most important thing to build your art career (maybe even more than good art) is networking, building relationships and marketing. So, I deligently started about two years ago.  I dove in.  I refused to take on more responsibility in other areas (that lasted a whole year I think).  I got active in art locally and online.

Actually I got pulled back in to both environmental organizing and local politics organizing. If we don’t have a functional earth, we have nothing to stand on.  And if we don’t have decent local government (and national – yippee!!), then the arts and the economy are not well supported.  The quality of life degrades when there is divisive and power-hungry leadership. But I am once again switching my focus some away from this. There are such important crucial issues in both areas, that I cannot turn my back on them … but I have seriously started putting my needs at the forefront.

Being so sick for so long, it was hard to not put the big picture ahead of me – given my personality.  But I have come to a new place inside myself, and I am pulling inward in a healthy way.  There were years I was so sick I could barely get out of bed, so when I have energy, I want to do things that I feel will help the world and make me feel empowered and effective.

So I am working myself out of some of the things I have been doing.  I have not been the head honcho or anything with these things the last few years – just a good team player.  (I was a leader a lot for years.) But I am letting people know that I am giving myself a chance to succeed with my art career.  People are *mostly* supportive. And I am doing it.

I am going to stop here … and tomorrow talk about the grant and press release. I am wanting you to understand the texture of my life and my thought processes in doing what I am doing.  It was very exciting to get the grant!  It was the first time in my life I have been paid for organizing – I am thrilled.  That is why I am going to start again tomorrow … so it is a readable length.

Thanks for coming by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Butterfly, organizing, community organizing, sense of purpose, creative arts, locally, online