My Jack Layton Encounter

As a permanent resident of Canada, I am not entitled to vote. But if I could I would vote for Jack Layton's NDP party, not only because that party reflects my personal ideals but also because of my own encounter with the man whose political leanings seemed to be intrinsically linked to the person he was.

I “met” Jack Layton two years ago during the Fête Nationale du Québec parade held in Montréal. In 2009, I had been a permanent resident for almost 5 years but this June 24th was the first time Michel (my conjoint) and I had gone to the parade.

We arrived early and waited with numerous Québécois along the parade route, almost everyone wearing Québec blue. The parade began, and I was soon caught up in the whole celebratory atmosphere as the “giant” historic figures went by. I had learned about these legendary people in my francisation course.

One of the last “floats” had members of Cirque du Soleil performing acrobatic feats in moving cages. And as is the case with all performances of Cirque du Soleil, it was awe-inspiring.

Then, came the final procession of the parade--various political leaders who represented Québec, walking shoulder to shoulder, spanning the street from curb to curb. I saw Gilles Duceppe and others that I had only ever seen on TV. But the one man I really noticed was Jack Layton.

As I stood on the sidewalk near the curb, I watched as he waved and greeted the people. He was smiling and looking like he was having a grand time. I smiled back and somehow at that moment our eyes met. We connected, and he nodded at me as if to say “hello; nice to see you; thanks for coming.” I was so amazed and impressed. That moment made the parade so special for me and made Jack Layton a real person, someone I somehow knew and not just some politician I would see on the news. In that instant, I became a fan of Jack Layton both as a man and as a politician.

On Monday (August 22), I was saddened to hear of Mr. Layton's death and then was inspired by the letter he had written as he approached his final “good night.” I have shed many tears this week because a good and caring and compassionate man no longer walks among us. How great is our loss!

Now, Mr. Layton lives on in our memories. For me, Jack Layton will forever be the man, the political leader, who, with twinkling eyes, a smile, and a nod, made a US citizen and Canadian permanent resident feel included in his vision for Canada and the world.

Mixed Media Chakra Series Finally Finished!

Even though I haven't been posting, I have been working (or playing) with my art. Above is the final mixed media canvas in my Chakra Series called "Inspiration for the Journey." The title for this one is "Source's Wordless Web."

Even though I had the canvas painted and ready to go--and, that was after doing it once and then painting over it again--I could not figure out what to put on the canvas. I had the quote, which was either sent in an email I received or something I stumbled upon while being on the Net. It is a Rumi quote: "There is a Voice that doesn't use words. Listen." But try as I might, I could not figure out what to put with the quote or on the now purple-y canvas.

And then I watched the latest Dr. Who episode called "Vincent and the Doctor." The Vincent in the title is Vincent Van Gogh (whose name is not pronounced the way I have always thought it was!) and there was one scene where the viewer gets to see how Vincent sees. And that's what gave me the idea for the canvas. Note to blog readers: I urge you to see this episode of Dr. Who even if you are not a Dr. Who fan. I found it inspiring, touching, and beautiful!

The dark circle is actually a mandala I created awhile ago from a photo of a web with droplets. (You can read more about this mandala and the photo I used here. And the other mandala is inspired from my zentangle art. To me that mandala looks like a compass rose, which flows right into the idea of listening to a voice that doesn't use words for guidance and to discover the secrets of the Universe.

You can see the other works in my series here, here, and here. ;o) Since I just discovered that I never posted the first work in the series. I have posted it below. Right now, I am calling it "Your True Self."

Enjoy!

--Vicky :o)

"Source's Wordless Web"
"Your True Self"
Mixed media collage series, #5 and #1
Acrylic paint, paper cutouts, zentangle-inspired mandala, photos on canvas
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

www.zentangle.com

Who or What Is Too Small for You?

...anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

--David Whyte

This collage is one of a series I am calling "Inspiration for the Journey." Each collage is a blend of painting, collage elements, and a phrase or quote. I chose the background colors to represent a chakra center. While this one uses green to represent the heart chakra, it also is special in that all 7 of the chakras are represented by color. You can see two other members of the series on my blog here and here. Eventually I will be making cards of each of the 5 collages.

I discovered this quote while looking at a blog. An artist had included David Whyte's poem "Sweet Darkness" from his book House of Belonging. The quote on the collage is the final three lines of the poem. When I read those lines, they grabbed me and showed me my own power and greatness (and not in an egotistical way). When I read those lines, I thought of how often I allow others (even those I love) to determine and diminish who I am and what I offer because I am swayed by their opinions! I also thought about how my heart feels when I embrace opinions or situations that are "too small" for me; it feels tight and constricted!

When I think about the quote, I often substitute the word "grow" for the word "bring" in the second line. If someone or something is not growing me alive, why would I waste my time being upset or concerned about their opinions or thoughts about me or my work? Why would I continue to engage in behaviors or thoughts that stunt my growth?

As you finish reading this post, take a moment and consider the question posed as the title of this post: Who or what is too small for you?

--Vicky Lynn :o)

"A Heart Grows Alive"
Mixed media collage
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

Digging for What's Real

"TREATING mySelf like A PRECIOUS OBJECT makes me STRONG!"

Dig through layers
of ego's harsh deceit
Uncover a forever worthy Self
silent, strong, and sweet.

--Vicky Lynn :o)

Mixed media collage

Paint and collage cutout on canvas
Quote from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

New Collage Mandala: my interpretation

Today I am posting a new mixed media collage mandala that I finished yesterday; I call it "Fabric of the Universe."

Most people will focus on the bird in the middle. I love the bird, too, which is why I chose to cut it out and use it in the collage. To me, the bird represents the Universe. And the Soul message from the Universe is by Rumi, reminding us that to enter the Mystery, we need to go within, to find the "fabric of the Universe," we need only to look inside.

But the background of the collage is just as important as the central image. I created the background by tearing the elements and choosing pictures of wood, metal, fabric--anything that is used to build or create something else. The painted part is like the sea or space of creativity. So the "fabric" part comes out of that sea/space and in the center of the "fabric," we discover the Universe and the inspirational message for our journey.

--Vicky Lynn :o)

"Fabric of the Universe"
Mixed media collage mandala
Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione