Friday, October 27, 2006

busy with art i can't show you



for the past two days, i've been working on 12 gifts for an artists' gift exchange called 'the twelve days of christmas hostessed by the creative and organized Lelainia Lloyd of Tattered edge. unfortunately, Shhhhhhhh.....it's a secret, so i can't show you what i made but i can show you the pile of wrapped packages. Take a look at the beautiful tag attached to each gift, they are from Laini's Ladies collection, created by the amazingly talented Laini Taylor, aka Grow Wings .

i need to go set up my table at the autumn puget artist's league art show tomorrow. it's funny because puget artist's league stands for PAL; the only rule is that there are no rules, and no meeting - friends from the area just get together twice a year for a community art show. this will be my first, i've baled at the last minute for the past couple years. i feel like bailing again but i am going to ignore that thought and spread my introverted wings and go. i do enjoy meeting other artists and folks from the community and i'll probably have a good time. reading this poem, one of my favorites, by poet naomi shihab nye, always makes me smile and muster up courage from somewhere.


The Art of Disappearing

When they say Don't I know you?

say no.
When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.

Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.


If they say We should get together
say why?


It's not that you don't love them anymore.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.

Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.


Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.

6 comments:

Judy Wise said...

Oh, thank you. I've never seen this before and I love it.

Laini Taylor said...

Hi Katie! The tags look great! They're one of my favorite Laini's Ladies products so far, and it's so neat to see them in use. It's tantalizing to think of what's IN those wonderful packages!

Misty Mawn said...

Dear Katie,
I love this poem, I can see how it makes you feel that way. It's really wonderful! ;-)
Those little packages look tantalizing! How lucky are the receivers! xoxox

Deb said...

Katie! The packages look so enticing! I am one of the lucky ones in that swap and can't wait to see it in person. I was also at Art and Soul and was so sorry I didn't have the chance to meet you... maybe next time. I think your art dolls are fabulous :0) Deb

Shelley Noble said...

Katie, I thought your wrapped packages WERE the artworks!! Beautiful and detailed. Enjoy the xchg and the group show.

I also love the Disappearing Act poem except--I always use it as an excuse NOT to go anywhere. Isn't it funny how a single poem can say different things to different people?!

Colorsonmymind said...

That exchange sounds wonderful. Those packages do look like pieces of art in themselves. I can't wait to see what is inside.

Hugs