Diane Clancy's Art Blog

The ACEO Bounty Etsy group has contests where people can win Art Cards, ACEOs (2.5 x 2.5″ art).  I am totall thrilled to be the big winner for this 2 month period – I have won 9 ACEOs and 1 ACEO mat!!  Quite a variety of different artists and styles.  The ACEO Bounty group at Etsy has a lovely blog with lots of information about Art Cards, ACEOs – The ACEO Bounty Blog.   I am thrilled to be included in this post announcing the winners!! You can see one of the 9 – yes 9 Art cards I won for FREE!! Wow!  Thank you!

Today is Blog Action Day 2009.  October 15th is the annual day for bloggers all over the world to unite together to spread the word about this important issue – of CLIMATE CHANGE!  Almost 10,000 bloggers from 150 countries have participated so far! Dealing with Climate Change is crucial to the survival of humankind.

Earth Day, Digital © Diane Clancy

This vibrant, colorful painting of Earth Day shows humankind taking the extraordinary leap that we need to take to make the changes we need.  All the personal things so many of us are doing – driving more slowly, turning down the heat, eating locally – are all important and we need to each continue our efforts!

BUT war wrecks total havoc on the environment.  Peace is much healthier for the earth – besides for “children and all other living things.”  The environmental impact of war is terrible!! The fighter jets, bombs, wreckage of buildings, transporting many troops and supplies … all take a large toll on the earth.  I KNOW it is terrible with the human cost – and I am so sorry for all of us who have been impacted with human loss by war (which includes most of us) … AND the toll of war on the earth is terrible also.

This is yet another reason we need to strive to create peace – for all of us and also  the home we call earth!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: Blog Action Day 2009, Climate Change, war, peace, vibrant, colorful painting, Diane Clancy

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

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Sue O’Kieffe of Sacred Circle Mandalas (http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com) has a wonderful giveaway!!  Here is the post with the details.  It is very simple to enter and she creates FANTASTIC mandalas!!  Don’t know what they are?  Go check out her blog!

Sue’s Mandalas Giveaway

Sue has started selling her lovely mandalas!!  Check it out!! Sue has a great newsletter she just started too.  It is easy to sign up for it when you enter (if you like – no pressure).  Thank you for checking Sue’s giveway and mandala’s out!! How are you doing? Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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This vibrant, colorful painting is Heavenly Cosmos – the heavens are always there.  I think it is so so cool that the sun is ALWAYS there!!  It may be cloudy, but beyond the clouds – the sun is there in full force!  And – even in the night – the sun is still there – fully sending out all its rays … we are just turned away from the sun.

Heavenly Cosmos, Digital © Diane Clancy

And it is AMAZING how the sun is different in the various places during the seasons.  The poles in the winter have night almost 24 hours a day.  And in the summer – my favorite time of the year – the poles have sunlight almost all the time.  Northern Lights are fabulous!! I believe the sun at the Equator is fairly evenly all the time – similar sunrise and sunset times. Nature is so glorious!

And the power of healing is astonishing!  I am delighted to report that after this setback, my cousin is doing much better today.  Who knows what will happen, but I am so grateful that Vincent has made some turn around.  Thank you so much for all your support!  I also managed to work a little in the garden today.  Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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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

The Artists of Franklin County, a local group that I coordinate, have been having Artists Window Exhibits (AWE Project) since 2006.  Susan Elkin and I are putting our work into Wilson’s Department Store tomorrow morning.  I do think we are ready at last!!  I think it is going to look very lovely since our friend Cindy is helping us.

Opus, Photography © Susan Elkin

I also finished preparing for the TV Show that we need to record on Wednesday afternoon.  I have sent the images to the local access station, GCTV, so they can load them up for our piece.  Each person or group who received a grant from the  Greenfield Local Cultural Council has been asked to record a segment to help create an hour long show about the grants.  It is pretty exciting – so far I am not as scared as the last time I was on the TV to record a show.

The week still looks pretty hectic … now Wednesday morning has 3 things … all necessary in the same 3 hour time slot.  I have no clue how we are going to manage all this!!  And it all has to be done in time to go record at the TV station.  Tuesday morning there are only 2 things at the same time.  Somehow I have to keep cool and stay rested through this all!!  Thank you for your supportive comments … I have no idea how I am going to make it until Thursday night!

But I have a list in my AutoFocus notebook and at least have the new things down and I am being able to knock off (that means finish) some of the details that I have written down  – so whew!  I did manage to scan 4 of the new ACEOs today.  The People’s Voice (a magazine for which I am the editor and layout person) is going to have to fit in the cracks at the moment.  I did quite a bit on it and then had to wait for people to send things in. I have everything now but have to work it around the things that cannot change in the next 4 days …

I will check in tomorrow – I am so happy that I may be able to show you one of the new pastel Art Cards.  Have a great day! Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

Technorati Tags: Diane Clancy, Susan Elkin, AWE, AWE Project, Artists Window Exhibit, Local Cultural Council, grant, GCTV, People’s Voice

The Artists of Franklin County, a local group that I coordinate, have been having Artists Window Exhibits (AWE Project) since 2006.  We have a current one going on for the month of May.  Local artists are putting our artwork in local windows and on indoor walls to beautify Greenfield and to help build the Creative Economy.  Last time we included work by the students from the local high school.  This time we included people who are receiving services in the community.

Bryant Stewart at Opus, Photography © Susan Elkin

We sent out lots and lots of press releases and here is a great writeup in the weekly paper.  They took most of it word for word from the press release which is great (that they used it, not that I wrote it great)!  Here is the link I could find to show you the whole article.  In the print paper they also included 4 of the images that I sent them.  Now that I have seen it, of course I need to write them a thank you note. Some of it is below:

<Quoting from the Town Crier (and our press release)>

The Artists of Franklin County are presenting Greenfield with their extraordinary art for the entire month of May. Storefront windows up and down Main, Federal and Miles Streets will offer amazing artwork as local artists share their work with the community. The exhibit will begin on May 1 and run until June 1. This display of art is presented free of charge to the community by the Artists of Franklin County in conjunction with the Greenfield Business Association and Fostering the Arts in Franklin County. Anyone interested in purchasing art on display is asked to contact the artists directly.

The Artist Window Exhibit (AWE) has been showcasing artwork in Greenfield since 2006. AWE brings together area artists and local businesses to enhance the experience of Greenfield by seeing artists’ work in downtown windows. These exhibits have been very successful in the past, with positive feedback from artists, residents, visitors and shop owners.

Margaret Soussloff is displaying her work with AWE for the first time. Margaret says, “I work in Greenfield and walk down Main Street almost daily. While I walk I gaze in the windows, looking with my artist’s eye. I’ve enjoyed immensely the artwork displayed in store windows. It occurred to me, I could show my own art. That prompted me to take the plunge and have my art on display as part of AWE.”

<End of Quote>

It is pretty exciting to see our AWE Project in the paper!! Really fun! Particularly such a large spread!  This Wednesday Susan Elkin and I are going to be doing another TV piece at the local access TV station (GCTV).  Luckily it will be short since each of the people who received grants from the Local Cultural Council will be doing a brief piece.  All this is fun, exciting, frustrating, tiring and rewarding.  Thanks for stopping by!!

~ Diane Clancy

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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 vibrant, colorful painting was created for the 2009 WWAO Swap (Worldwide WOmen Artists Online).  It is an Art Card, ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2″).  This one is called Shimmering Fields. It is a different style from the other flower pastels … I was playing around.  The original is gone, but prints are available.  Do you have a preference for one style over the other?

Today Susan Elkin and I went to the offline, real life meeting of the Western Mass (US) Street Team.  It was cool to meet some of the other Etsy sellers.  Search for the tag “WMass Team” if you want to see some work from this dynomite group!  Here is my shop and here is Susan’s shop.

Shimmering Fields, Pastel © Diane Clancy

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.”

Thank you for stopping by!

~ Diane Clancy

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