This project is now closed.

Thanks everyone for all your contributions and pieces of peace.
We'll be keeping this blog posted as an archive of the project. Have fun surfing the Peace!
Lots of Peaceful miracles to each of you!
k-

Regeneration Beyond the Boundaries by Patricia House

Regeneration Beyond the Boundaries
by Patricia House

Peace on Earth begins with peace in our own hearts...

In the Artist's Own Words
These images [to see full series, click here] reflect on the regeneration of the environment and the parallel journey of inner transformation and regeneration. Humanities' notions of separation and boundaries are brought into question, as the eternal spiral of creation carries us on a journey of remembering...we are one in Spirit.

About the Artist
I have been practicing art for twenty years and have a background in Graphic Design. Photography is my first love, but have discovered a passion for creating ephemeral sculptures on site. I love the energy of connecting to a place and responding to the promptings of the Great Architect; utilising found objects or materials, the immediacy of creative expression - no room for the analytical mind to intercede as I become childlike again...and play! This work brings home the fleeting nature of our existence and the need to 'Stop the World' - to find that which we are seeking within - a path with a heart.

Cultures by Stephen Mead

In the Artist's Own Words
The film “Cultures” is a meditation on rituals throughout time and across the globe: family dinners, evenings with friends, christenings; the moments which Memory stores universally. Incorporating mixed media paintings and footage of stars to a soundtrack heard through a slightly crackly A.M. Radio Station, the viewer is invited to feel as if the imagery is viewed from space and a time machine. Bits of stardust clings to what is seen through wisps of clouds while the poem echoes through a distantly hummed version of Kurt Weill’s “Lost In The Stars”. The overall effect of this piece speaks of love and nostalgia, but also what is precarious about life, about the Earth itself as a planet, and, indeed, what has always been so. The paintings in the piece come from a series entitled “Our Book of Common Faith” begun in 2000 and not completed until 2008. This mixed media work, which I eventually wrote poems to, looks at world religions/cultures/beliefs (including lack of belief), as a way of showing what links humanity (in relation to one another and the earth) as opposed to dividing us. I believe some times it is good to have a reminder.

About the Artist
In the 1990s Stephen Mead's poems began appearing in literary journals, but after moving to Massachusetts, Stephen concentrated on painting. In 2000 Stephen started seeking publication again for his writing and art combined. Since then his work has appeared internationally. In 2004 Stephen began experimenting with poetry/art hybrids, creating award winning e-books such as "Heroines Unlikely". From there Stephen began experimenting with his art/poems as films. In 2006 Stephen released a CD of poems set to music, "Safe & Other Love Poems", (CDBaby.com), as well as three DVDs, (Indieflix.com). In 2007, print editions of his work began being distributed by Amazon.com and Blurb.com.

Journal Bliss by Violette

Journal Bliss
by Violette

Editor's Note:
WOW WOW WOW!!! I had such high hopes for this book, and guess what? Every expectation was met and exceeded!

Violette shares the most interesting journey of art and self-discovery with us. She prompts readers at every turn to start creating, playing, experimenting with your own life.

There are great self-empowering segments PLUS how-to segments for things like making your own fanciful font, learning to appreciate your doodles, creating luxuriously textured backgrounds, drawing faces, and more. She even has the most inspiring little drawings of the materials she's using -- I have never before thought a jar of gesso was so beautiful! :)

I wanted to share this quick review here on "A Peace of..." blog because everything in the book aims toward helping the reader find inner peace through creative expression. What a treasure! Violette is even offering resources from the book on her site now, so click on over and check that out, too!

AND, I'm going to offer a more thorough review over on the Mother Henna blog in coming weeks by actually working my way thru the book and sharing my own creations, etc. So come on over there when you get a chance to see how using the book unfolds for me!

Miracles!
k-

Arts for Change by Beverly Naidus

Note from Kara
Beverly takes us from myth to social deconstruction to reclaiming our ability to revision our world. This is more than a book for teachers. Her writing is universal and personal at the same time. Her passion leaps off the pages. She offers me personally, a guidepost, a lead on the path of the Hero's Journey, a big flashing arrow that says, "This way! This way!" She offers this from her own story, but also from the interviews she does with many, many other artists who are consciously engaging in social change. Cannot tell you how inspiring it is to know we are not alone!! If you get the chance to see her read in person, jump at the opportunity. If you can afford to get your own personal copy of the book, you can get it by clicking here to get to her publisher New Village Press. You'll want your own copy really -- get out the pen and highlighter and go to town! If you can't get your own copy though, then take the link above to your local library and impress upon them how valuable a copy will be for your community!


About the Book (from publisher's website)
A provocative, personal look at the motivations and challenges of teaching socially engaged arts, Arts for Change overturns conventional arts pedagogy with an activist's passion for creating art that matters.

How can polarized groups work together to solve social and environmental problems? How can art be used to raise consciousness? Using candid examination of her own university teaching career as well as broader social and historical perspectives, Beverly Naidus answers these questions, guiding the reader through a progression of steps to help students observe the world around them and craft artistic responses to what they see. Interviews with over 30 arts education colleagues provide additional strategies for successfully engaging students in what, to them, is most meaningful.


About the Author (from publisher's website)
Beverly Naidus, artist, activist, educator, and writer, is also the author of two artist's books: One Size Does Not Fit All and What Kinda Name is That. Her art has been exhibited internationally in venues including the Institute of Contemporary Art in London, the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Armand Hammer Museum at UCLA. She is currently co-creating a program at University of Washington, Tacoma—Arts in Community—with a focus on arts for social change within the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program.

A Path With Heart by Carlos Castaneda

Editor's Note
If we all truly walked the path with heART, we'd have peace. If only we all could step up to being honest about it with ourselves and really hear the answer to the question: does my current path have a heart? And if the answer was "no" then to stay stepped up and have courage to take a different path. The world could be so different if only we could all do this for real!

A Path With Heart by Carlos Castaneda

You must always keep in mind that a path is only a path. Each path is only one of a million paths. If you feel that you must now follow it, you need not stay with it under any circumstances. Any path is only a path. There is no affront to yourself or others in dropping a path if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on a path or to leave it must be free of fear and ambition. I caution you: look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone this one question. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same. They lead nowhere. They are paths going through the brush or into the brush or under the brush of the Universe. The only question is: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then it is a good path. If it doesn’t, then it is of no use.

Samantha Power, On a Complicated Hero

Editor's Note
There is a lot to Samantha Power's TED talk (featured below), and I'm still working it over in my head and heart. I am utterly intrigued that a movement of young people had to come forward before there was a process in place, by which we can call for an "endangered peoples" watch. Her story of Sergio, who was a real person, gives us the opportunity to learn from his work -- to let his Hero's Journey, inform our own. In this way, I am clearly seeing how we all become myth for the next generations. And I certainly have very politically active friends who tell me we cannot simply create change by creating change -- that we have to be willing to engage and understand the very thing we are trying to change before it can be changed. And of course, I agree with Power's assessment that our own country's policies have been the thing required to change to make change -- so who the heck are we to demand other people change when we are not willing to do it ourselves?! But also, as she says, we have to begin asking for change -- here and everywhere.

Anyway, I feel this is a good addition to our exploration of peace here in this little blog exhibit. She makes us think. She makes us really look at what it takes to create peace. She makes us see that peace starts right under our own feet. And that we can have fear AND engage in peace-seeking activities anyway. See what you think of her presentation:




Miracles,
k-