2017 Week 41: Earthly Farewells

The week was overshadowed by two earthly losses/heaven's gain.

In memory of Viola

Yet our earthly pilgrimage must go on as usual: teaching, grading, writing, tap class, for me; robotics, pottery, and so much more for Michael.
Our resident student had a visit from her best friend and is now on Fall break after surviving seven weeks of a grueling schedule.

Water color class is going well. This week we transfered a child's drawing and then practiced the techniques Jason is trying to teach us.

Jason's water colors using his kids'art

Then we worked on a still life. I realized that I am too realistic, not artsy. We have such a good time together, enjoying the process as well as the results.

Leah's, Stephan's, Kari's, and my pumpkins

Speaking of pumpkins. . . Stephan has been very busy carving and shaping them into the most unusual rearrangements.

Tractor; Pumpkin Pele doing a bicycle kick; Lighted Pumpkin Clock; . . .

Thursday morning my brother Alan shared this tribute to his beloved wife:

Early in the morning of October 12, 1492, a sailor on board the Pinta sighted land, beginning a new era of European exploration and expansion. The next day, the ninety crew members of Columbus’ three-ship fleet ventured onto the Bahamian island that he named San Salvador (now Watling Island, and then called Guanahaní by the natives), ending a voyage begun nearly ten weeks earlier in Palos, Spain."

Early in the morning of October 12, 2017, Sharon Lynn Hoyt, my shipmate for nearly 35 years sighted land, beginning our new era of exploration. Here is her last text to me: "First you have to build the wooden sailboat, then we’ll go on a long cruise". To the very end her thoughts and dreams were for and about me and her boys. Her words to me over the last couple of days were about preparing a place for me. She asked me to never forget Romans 8:8-23

Today she discovered freedom, everlasting love, the reality of the truth we all crave to touch and see.

Sharon's journey with cancer lasted five torturous years of multiple surgeries and every treatment available. She fought with courage and grace and never lost hope.

In 2013 when Dad passed away she was already going through chemo.

Top: With Mother, four brothers and spouses;
Bottom left: my favorite photo of Alan and Sharon. Bottom right: The last time I saw Sharon, Mother's 96th birthday in July.

A very timely memory popped up the next day, a painting I was drawn to when we visited the Art Prize several years ago. It speaks to me now, of the grief journey ahead for Alan and the two boys, Nicolas (28), Daniel (almost 27). I especially love the reminder of Who is there for them, and of the promise in Luke 21:19 (The Voice)

Friday we celebrated the life of my dear friend Viola Fights (86).
As a tall beautiful 18 year old she was headed to college and a promising future when she contracted polio and her life was altered forever. The disease did not hold her back. She married and raised six children and more that ended up in her care. She was not one to complain, though trapped in a body with increasing limitations. When we met thirty three years ago she could still walk with leg braces and crutches and almost daily walked by our house in the neighborhood. Post polio took its toll over the years. Then for years she got around town on her scooter until gradually she became totally bedridden.

Senior picture from her high school yearbook. A "walk" together on her 80th birthday with her beloved dog Patches.

As the family gathered photos for the memorial, they lacked one of Mary her caregiver for 13 years. I happened to have the only one. This was my gift to Mary and the family.

The angel who cared for my friend

Michael had gotten up very early to work on a presentation for a FIRST robotics forum and was busy all day. He also made a Venison Chili Mac for a chili cookout at Victory Acres, our local CSA farm.

Mike's special Venison Chili Mac

The weather was perfect. They had planned a wonderful fall festival. One activity was photo treasure hunt. This was my shot at the photo booth.

Tired

We had a lovely relaxing evening with good food and friends.

Michael left very early Saturday for Purdue in West Lafayette. His presentation, "Basic Electricity and Electronics for FRC", was well attended. He had a long day away. I had a long day at home.

ArtPrize

As promised, I will reflect and write about our visit to the world's largest art competition. This was our second experience and ArtPrize's seventh year.

Last year we were there on the day the 2014 winners were announced and got to see the two previous winners at the HUB: 2013 Grand Prize Winner; Reflections on Grand Prize 2012.

This time we walked into the large display room at the HUB and saw last year's winner of both public and juried vote, Intersections. 

This time we were there on the day after the the winners were anounced. The lines to get into the venues where the winners were displayed were impossibly long. I read about them online on the way home. Northwood Awakening won the 2D category, interestingly the same artist that won the public vote in 2013.

You can peruse all the 1500 entries  on the ArtPrize.org website. I just did and counted some 60 I remembered. I'm sure there were others, non-memorable ones.

I found the charcoal drawing that had Mike mesmerized it was so incredibly detailed, more like a photograph.

"Portrait of Kayla" by Brian Duey

I was fascinated by the meaningful message of the layered heart and the many words pointing to the process and possibility of finding true freedom from bondage.

"Breaking Free" by Jake Smit

My own photos are very random. I like this one because some of our friends are in it.

"Twins" stoneware by Naoto Nakata (dogs made up of multiple stacked dogs)

"Dark Eagle" digital art by Jennie Bethel

This one drew my attention because of the artist's statement.

I thought Son Stephan would like to see this next one.

"Lady of the Woods" a wood carving by Billy Meinke

Once again the artists' statement drew me in and the words throughout. (Guess I'm a word lover.)
The Shoemaker family created this 3-D piece to represent the family they became when they took in five siblings from Africa and a Russian exchange student.

"Grafted In" by The Shoecrew

Obviously, not everyone who enters expect to win. Many do so to share a message or simply because they enjoy creating.

"Blue Giraffe" by Jim Neal

This large free-standing 3-D piece was right across from one of the  murals that appear each year somewhere in the city. Last year we watched the lone artist at work in his lift-bucket putting the final touches to his enormous painting. This one, however, was created entirely with tape.

"The Grand Rapid Tape Drawing" by The Tape Art Crew

Sharing the day with friends definitely enhanced the experience. It would be great fun to make this an annual event, though I would try to plan our route more carefully and  NOT go on the last weekend. I've read since that the best time to go is on the first day to avoid the crowds and find parking. However, we would miss out on the many transformations of projects that are ongoing throughout the 21 days.

The last exhibit before we said goodbye to the delightful girls and their parents, was an interactive musical event, another one of those artistic forms subject to constant change.

2015 Week 41: Birthdays, Art, and Friends

Another full week: two birthdays in one week; the usual weekly commitments (teaching, robotics, writing); and a fun fall trip to Michigan.

Sunday we gathered to celebrate Kayla's 24th. The crazy-version birthday song never fails to entertain.

I always hope for a family photo-op, but once again there were missing members. However, we did manage a Kern-family pic.

Monday,  on Kayla's actual birthday, we went to Bodies in Motion, her favorite dance supply shop, and had lunch at The Bridge Cafe, now her favorite restaurant.

 I dug out photos of Kayla in her first year and couldn't believe how much Rebecca resembles her.

Morning walks were chilly. One of the ladies gave us each fingerless gloves. She also showed us the jewelry she'd been making with her sister. We stocked up on Christmas gifts. And, of course, I couldn't resist the cute little turtle pins.
We noticed flowers strewn on the path and wondered who'd been tearing up the planters at the depot. Hmmmm...caught in the act--the friendly white rabbit that lives by the bridge.

Evenings, as I drive home from teaching, I see the most beautiful sunsets, and need to remind myself to focus on driving.

Thursday, the 8th, was Jude's birthday and party, but I was teaching and Mike had a robotics meeting. I am grateful for the pictures shared on Facebook. (Thanks Debby!)

Friday, we were excited to go to Elijah's last elementary-school Gradnparents' Day event.
He had several roles to play with the Royerton Rockers and the fifth grade music program--he sang, played the xylophon and the guitar.

Zion's program was earlier. We were unable to go, but got to see him in action in his classroom.

We happened to peek in after he'd had an unintended incident and was sad about it. I love this little guy so much.

Then we were off to ArtPrize!
We stayed overnight with a young family of friends that live 20 minutes away from Grand Rapids.
She is the daughter of our OM friends, the Babcocks--like "family" really.

Saturday we were joined by the Bankers, another OM family from way back. We lived and worked together in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe.

Our tour of many ArtPrize venues began at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

The entire experience merits another post, sometime this week.

That night we traveled toward Detroit to spend the night with Dennis and Donna Banker, delighted for the opportunity to see their "new" home. We'd been wanting to visit since they moved to Michigan in 2009. We loved each welcoming detail and every moment spent with our dear friends.

Sunday after breakfast we took off for home with grateful hearts for friends, fun, fellowship and gorgeaous fall weather.

Come back for more about ArtPrize sometime this week.

Art Prize 2013 Grand Prize Winner

Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore, by Anne Loveless--a quilt!

--No, you've got to be kidding!

--It's true, I saw it with my own eyes!

A photo cannot do justice to the incredible minute detail--each blade of grass, the added texture of frayed-edges, the vast variety of hues.

ArtPrize: reflections on Grand Prize 2012

As promised, some of the photos of the first art piece we viewed on display at the HUB of the event.

"Elephants" by Adonna Khare, winner of the Grand Prize in the 4th annual ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids, MI, a huge pencil drawing in three sections. This collage is meant to give a feel for the whole, however, I could not include the entire middle section so will show each separately below.

 From left to right:

First panel

Middle panel

Third panel

And that's not all. The artist "was a classic example of someone who does not know when to quit," said the guide. Wherever her art was installed, she kept adding to it even beyond the edges of the paper and onto the wall!

So, how many elephants did you count? And what about chimpanzees

There are sooooooo many details: creatures of all sizes; many have human hands and feet; all sorts of objects stuck in random places. "Everything linked together by nearly invisible string the artist suggests means the possibility of harmonious co-existance," explained the guide.

He also said she copied the postures of her daughter as she drew the chimps laying on the couch, listening to music (right), and the lips stapled shut (didn't understand that one?).

It was also suggested that this enormous, intricate work of fantasy actually represented her own life--people and events. 

The eggs scattered throughout the mural represent new ideas to be developed, to 'hatch' sometime in the future.

"She began on the left and kept on going without sketching or laying anything out. It all came out of her imagination."