Artists Who Passed in 2009

It's the end of the year and I started to remember some of the famous people who died this year. There were some big names of hugely famous people like: Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, Walter Cronkite, Patrick Swayze, Ted Kennedy, Ed Mahon and David Carradine.

But I wanted to focus here on a few wonderful artists who have left behind some work which will live on forever. Artists like painter Andrew Wyeth, mixed media artist Janice Lowry, photographer Irving Penn and Jean Claude.

I leared about Janice Lowry from reading the blog by the publisher of Stampington magazines, Jenny Doh. Since I'm new to mixed media art, I missed many years of Janice's art being published in Jenny's magazines. Jenny Doh made a video in tribute to Janice and posted it on her blog. Click here to see it.

Janice wrote, painted and collaged art journals for the past 30 years. The Smithsonian has the entire 126 volume collection on file. These photo's are courtsey of an article about Janice published in The Smithsonian Magazine in October of this year. You can read it in it's entirety here. Janice kept a studio in Santa Ana, CA and primarily did assemblage. She was very much a part of the local art coummity and influenced many in the mixed media world. May she rest in peace in her giant art studio in the great beyond.

Janice Lowry's husband continues to update her blog, which you can view here.

A master of photography, Irving Penn also passed over this year. Maybe you don't know his name, but I bet you recognize a few of his photographs.

Irving Penn once said, "A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." See more of his incredible photographs here.

Artist, Andrew Wyeth, was one of the best known painters of the mid 20th century. He was primarily known as a realist painter, doing portraits and landscapes. He was controversial doing this type of painting during a time when abstract painters were all the rage. Perhaps you heard of his famous "Helga" paintings.

You've probably heard of the environmental artist, Christo, but did you know his wife was his equal partner and created most of Christ's famous work right along with him? Jeanne-Claude was married to Christo soon after they met in 1958.  Wikipedia says,"The purpose of their art, they contend, is simply to create works of art or joy and beauty and to create new ways of seeing familiar landscapes."

I first became aware of their art from the Umbrella installation.

Here is, "The Gates," which was seen in Central Park in NYC in 2005.

Here is the,"Wrapped Fence," in Sonoma and Marin Counties, CA in 1972-1976.

Here are,"The Surrounded Islands," in Miami, FL in 1982.

But we also lost some great writers like: William Safire, Dominick Dunne, Marilyn French and John Updike. The music world lost folk singer Mary Travers, punk rocker Jim Carroll, jazz drummer Louie Bellson and guitarist Les Paul. In radio, Paul Harvey, died this year and in TV, Don Hewitt of "60 Minutes," fame, passed away.

                               Corazon Aquino



A few others include: Corazon Aquino, John Hughes, Marilyn Chambers, Horton Foote, Karl Malden, Henry Gibson, Bea Arthur, Natasha Richardson, Ron Silver, James Whitmore, Soupy Sales, Ricardo Montalban, Jennifer Jones, young Brittany Murphy and Roy Disney.

Bea Arthur

                                    Jennifer Jones
This listing is hardly a complete list and I apologize to anyone I offended by leaving out one of your favorite celebrities.

What are you leaving being after your death? How will you be remembered?

Merry Christmas! May God's Blessings Bring You Peace Today!

Waking up on Christmas morning, I couldn't help but think how fortunate I am. It's been an incredible year for me.  So many things have happened to enrich my life. I woke up feeling grateful about the gifts I've been given. And I don't mean things. I mean people, mostly.

I've made a lot of new friends this year. Lots of wonderful, kind, sharing friends; some through art, some through work. I've tried to show my gratitude to them throughout the year and not just on Christmas.

I've given myself the gift of creating art again after not doing so for too many years. That has been an amazing blessing and given me more happiness than anything I ever imagined. Wonderful, creative, sharing, loving friends came along with my renewed love of art. That was an unexpected mega bonus.

I've reconnected with my family of origin after being estranged for ten years.That led me to meet three great nephews and one great neice who were born during that time! My life is full with family once again and it feels joyous. I wish I could see them more often. I was with them in spirit last night on Christmas Eve. My sister, Jannine, was kind enough to send photo's on FaceBook of the kids opening presents.

So many people gave me love and support this year - many of them I'd never met before. So many people were cheering me on and rooting for my success. For them, I am grateful.

I hope you spend some time today remembering all the things you're grateful for. Take some time to reflect on the abundance of riches in your own life. It's about so much more than opening gifts and eating food - although that's fun too!

But it's the people who make Christmas last in your heart long after everyone has gone home. And for them, I am eternally grateful and planning to show it to them all year long.

"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you will not find it under a tree." ~Charlotte Carpenter.

Who Do You Think You Are?

Have you ever said that? I know I've thought it before, much to my chagrin. But it effects me in the worst way when I think it about myself.

Blue Flower by Georgia O'Keefe

I subscribe to a newsletter written by a singer-songwriter, motival speaker named, Christine Kane. Her recent post has to do with this exact topic. I love that she talks about, "the voices in her head." We all have them and often they lie to us -- and this is a big one. 

What do the voices in your head say? When the voice in my head says, "Who do you think you are?" I  cringe, because I know it's there to try and keep me down. It's there to keep me from being the best I can be. How dare I be fabulous?! How dare I call myself an artist?! How dare I think I'm talented so why even try?! How dare I say something I've painted is good?!

This year, 2009, has taught me to replace these old voices with new, positive ones that will help me to attract what I want. What do I want? I want to paint a *lot.*  I want to take more classes to learn as much as I can to move forward in my art education. I want to create beauty. I want to put positive energy and joy into everything I paint, in everything I *do.* I want to be a more caring, loving, giving, less selfish person.

I want a lot, so I am choosing to focus on what I want rather than what I don't want. For years, I would tell myself things like, "I don't want to end up homeless. I don't want to lose my job. I don't want to run out of money."  All of these things are fear based and focus on what I don't want. The Law of Attraction has taught me, focusing on what I *don't* want is still focusing on that thing. It's taught me to rephrase the thought into a more positive one, such as, I want to be successful. I want to excell at work. I look forward to having enough money. I want to attract wonderful people, places and things into my life. Thinking this way has made my life so much richer, less stressful and I'm happier than I've ever been!
Who do I think I am? I am a happy, healthy, talented, kind, loving person, who is rich with friends and family. Changing the way you think will change your life too!

Who Do You Think You Are?

by Christine Kane


You've heard it. I've heard it. Sometimes we even joke about it because it's so common. I'm talking about the snarky voice in your head that mouths off whenever you think about being a little bolder, a little decadent, or more self-nurturing.  It's the voice that says, "Who do you think you are?"


I'm embarrassed to admit this, but mine shows up as a group of high school girls. Their eyes are lined with thick black pencil. They wear concert t-shirts. Their hair is burnt from too many home perms. One of them steps forward and says, with her hands on her hips, "Who do you think you are?" And then she turns to the others and says, "Who does she think she is?" Then they all take an aggressive step forward. (Welcome to an average day at my old high school!)


My friend Joy's "Who do you think you are?" voices jump in whenever she imagines hanging out on the sofa reading magazines.


A few years ago, I saw Oprah speak. She said that every time she wanted to achieve more, the first voice she heard was "Who do you think you are?"


Every woman I know has her own version of this voice waiting in the wings. In other words: Stay down, play small, shut up, and don't embarrass yourself. Don't even bother because you won't make it, you don't deserve it, and everyone knows it, and they'll all laugh at you when you fail.


So, next time that voice jumps up in your head, here's what you do:
Answer it.  Really. Who do you think you are?




One time, I was telling a mentor about some fears coming up around a choice I was making. I said, "…and all the voices in my head are saying, 'Who do you think you are?'" And he looked at me and said, "Well? Who do you think you are?" I smiled and continued with my story. He cut in. "No. Stop. I really want to know. Who do you think you are? Tell me right now." In a very tiny voice, I told him. Then he made me say it again in a bigger, stronger voice. And again after that. He said, "There. Now you have an answer for your voices." Now I do this exercise every time those voices arise.


Here's a tip: When you answer that question, use language that speaks the truth of your strengths and values. In other words, make it authentic. It's tempting to recite something that sounds "lofty" or "holy" like, "I am a divine being, living in divine perfection with power and grace." Okay, fine. True as that may be, if that language doesn't resonate with you, you'll never feel any bolder, and those high school girls with the black eye pencil will put their cigarettes out on your shoe.


The Co-op of Lack: My theory is that "Who do you think you are?" is actually a Cooperative. It's a collective body of voices saying, "Agree with us in the lack that we see! Agree with us that there are no other options! Agree with us that no one has any power over life conditions!" It's actually pretty convenient. It's convenient to have this world-view because it gives you permission to stay stuck. It never requires that you do anything about it because after all, you're dealing with a whole world-view!

Think about it. When you say, "I no longer want to work with this abusive client," you're also saying, "AND, I believe there are multitudes of others out there for me." When you say, "I'm gonna nap right now, and I'll be more productive and happier because of it," you're also saying, "AND, I believe that there's more than enough time for me to get my to-do's done." Get it? Essentially, you're telling the Co-op that you've decided to create a whole new world-view!


Extra Credit Bonus Tip: Let's be honest. Most likely there are occasions when you've been the one saying, "Who does she think she is?" (Even if it's only in your head.) Don't be ashamed. It simply means that you have more opportunities to shift those old lack mindsets. Usually those mindsets are saying: "I'm feeling small and poor, so she should be small and poor too." We've all caught ourselves doing this.


Even if it's uncomfortable, you can choose to bless or praise anyone who seems to be taking bigger strides in her life. Then remind yourself again who you think you are, and join her!


****Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 8,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.


WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Christine's blog - Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous - at ChristineKane.com/blog.

Christine Kane

I'd love it if you left a comment telling me, "Who do you think you are?!" Thanks for stopping by.  xoxo

My Sister and I Go Full Circle with Our Art

My Sister, Melanee Herrera, of Williamsport, PA, painting in her studio during my visit in 08/09.

After being estranged from most of my family for the last ten years, I reconnected with them in 11/08. I noticed how much my sister had changed, thanks to applying the spiritual principals of Eckhart Tolle's, "The Power of Now," to her life. She told me about, "The Law of Attraction," and how she is now focused on what she wants rather than what she doesn't want. I'd heard about these books before, but hadn't taken them to heart. It made me sit up and take notice, because her life had obviously changed for the good.

               Me happily painting in my sister's studio.

During the conversation, she reminded me of the oil paintings I had done as a teen. I'd taken summer art classes at Bucknell University, in Lewisburg, PA, where our Mother worked as a secretary. As a child, I had always loved art and my Mother encouraged all of her kids to draw, paint and make crafts throughout our childhood. But somewhere along the way, for reasons unknown to me, I stopped painting, drawing and creating anything. I know I was told I couldn't be an artist when I grew up, so perhaps that's why I stopped. But my sister reminded me how much fun painting was. She suggested I "just play" with paint on paper and mix some colors to see the stunning results I could get. So I did!

My sister's new Angel painting after I showed her the Julie Prichard style of drip painting. (Julie teaches this method online.)

The result was the beginning of my foray in Mixed Media Art, focusing on acrylic painting with collage. I poured over internet web sites, art blogs and Yahoo art groups; getting tons of ideas of things I wanted to try. I began taking workshops and art classes in San Diego, CA where I live. Unlike my sister, I'm fortunate so many talented artists live here and travel here to teach.

Meanwhile, my sister, Melanee, was stuck in an artistic slump. She hadn't painted anything in ages, except the Angel painting, (shown above), she was finishing up when we reconnected. I went to visit her for my summer vacation in 08/09 and we spent almost everyday painting together in her studio. I showed her what I had learned from taking classes with Chris Cozen, Julie Prichard and Karen O'Brien. She soaked it up like a sponge. Previous to my visit, her style mainly focused on Vintage and she wasn't attracted to bright colors like I was.

Here are some cool Needle Punch Rugs she made:

She had also discovered Mixed Media Art and made this assemblage for a friend of hers to help her after a painful divorce.

But it was the heavily textured, sgrafitto painting style I had learned from Chris Cozen, which really changed the way she thought about color, texture and painting in general.

Look at these!

Shortly after she painted these, she visited a few galleries in Williamsport, PA and found one where she imagined having her work hung one day. Just before Thanksgiving, that dream became a reality. They are now hanging in The Harvest Gallery on W. 4th Street, as pictured below.

She's already sold a few pieces and is busily creating more! News of her work in this gallery even made the local paper.

Melanee and I also had a blast painting Mythical Creatures as taught by Karen O'Brien. Here's what she made during my visit.

Here's what she created on her own after I left, with more of a vintage style.

Meanwhile, I showed her the web site of one of my favorite inspirations, Mixed Media Artist, Teesha Moore. Here's what she came up with!

                    These are also hanging in the gallery!

So there you see the full circle. She encouraged me to start painting, after being dormant for too many years. I didn't resist, but instead, flourished with her support. So I took a few workshops and taught her some of the techniques I had learned and viola' ... her work is hanging in a gallery, she's sold a few pieces and thrilled and happy to be painting more and more!

Meanwhile, I have applied the spiritual principals of, "The Power of Now," and "The Law of Attraction," to my own life and it's bettered my life more than anything since I got sober, 22 years ago. I would encourage anyone who wants to make some changes in their life to read these books. Changing the way you think, will change your life!

Please click on the links to learn more about the artists I've mentioned. Thanks for visiting!

Please note: ALL of the art work in this posting is the property of my sister, Melanee Herrera. She created ALL of them. None of these are mine. You can easily view my artwork in previous posts.