The Thought Vox

During a recent trip to California Linda Woods, Karen Dinino, and I, finally had the opportunity to meet in person. Which is odd, considering we’ve been in constant contact for five years and also co-authored the book, “Meeting In The Ladies Room,” together (now available in Kindle format).

Linda & Karen are two very talented sisters who create with no boundaries and encourage others to do the same. They have two best selling “how-to” books about journaling and creating personal art: Visual Chronicles & Journal Revolution

While crashing with Linda and her fantastic husband, Dustin, we had some time to create a mixed-media canvas together. Though I’ve been painting since I was four-years-old, mixed media is still a tad scary for me. Different mediums and canvass: I have no trouble manipulating; add glue, paper, stamps, tissue, etc., to the equation is something else. I was lucky to have a mixed-media expert showing me her techniques and encouraging me to jump in.

A true collaboration, “FREEDOM,” is a piece represents our lives as well as the storms we all must travel through in order to arrive at our true selves. Freedom brings us home to ourselves when we learn to honour and trust our inner compass. From the moment we began applying paint, paper, and glue, we were on the same track. Creating art with friends is a gift. There’s a trust to take artistic risks and be honest about every element. I’m quickly becoming a big fan of artist collaborations!

For Linda’s take on our project: A Boat Called Freedom.

We’ve received so much feedback that we decided to make prints available in my Etsy Shop.

For those interested in mugs, t-shirts, hats, or bags you can visit HERE!

Images & Words Copyright 2010 Linda Woods & Pamela Detlor

Father’s day seems to come around faster every year. In the weeks leading up to it advertisements staring “perfect” dads are everywhere. “Buy the perfect gift for him…”
Going to be honest: I can’t relate. It’s time to honor those other dads: the ones who suck. Why should they be left out every year? Why, that’s just not fair!

DISCLAIMER:
There are plenty of fine men out there: Awesome dads who love and support their children. If you’re one of these good men… I’m not talking to you. This is a list for “DADS” in name only. The sort, of fathers, that are not there, don’t care, and have little/no remorse for it.

WARNING:
If you are easily offended… this would be a good place to stop reading.

TOP 5 BEST GIFTS FOR DEADBEAT DADS:
(So, you’ve chosen to keep reading… it’s on you…)

5) A daily dose of Saltpeter ~ To cut down on the spreading of Baby Batter.

4) Front row seats to “Puppetry For The Penis ~ So he can learn how to TIE A KNOT IN IT!

3) An apartment across from the food bank ~ So he can see who feeds his children.

2) A Lap Dance ~ So he can wonder, “Why does this gal look so familiar?” as he shoves cash in her g-string.

1) A 365 day calendar with EVERY day BOLDLY marked FATHER’S DAY ~ Because if he thinks father’s day is only one day a year, he’s got no business breeding.

What could be better than the marriage of friendship and art? When my dear friend, Glamma, suggested that we create a canvas together I jumped at the chance!

“Between Friends” is the name given to our painting. The piece was created over two days (taking: 18 man/woman hours, 2 chocolate eggs, coke, coke zero, tea, Subway sammiches) using 9 different mediums and a freestyle attitude.

We attacked the canvas and broke most of the “rules” for what NOT to blend together. Using: Acrylic, Oil, Pastel, Pigment, Ink, Quash, Charcoal, Graphite, and Conté Sticks. It was wonderful to watch some elements to repel other elements. Where ink hit pastel it was forced to re-route elsewhere. The results delighted us (art geeks). There was no preconceived plan. We simply agreed that the piece had to represent our spirits, our friendship, and us. To date ~ this is, without a doubt, my most cherished art project.

We started on the floor with every type of art supply dumped around us. I’m a more structured artist. Realism has always been where I’m comfortable. Glamma is great with structure/form and he is amazing with abstract too. In the early stages I was conforming to being rigid and sketched a stone Celtic cross that is representative of my strong spiritual connection. Glamma was just feeling the canvas and design was flowing from him without hesitation.

After 40 minutes I had to stop. We discussed my issue of feeling the need for accuracy. Glamma said I had to just let go and see what happened. I took a breath and went for it.

In the end my cross is still there ~ under layers of paint. The circle of the cross eventually morphed into a sun spiral. The image changed but the emotion didn’t. I was able to incorporate the sun and the spirit – both of which are important to me.

Glamma created the most beautiful girl; her hair flows into the piece and inspired other additions.

One of my favorite elements he added is the OM chant, which he painted out freehand. The words we chose are meaningful to us: Spirit, Zen, Beauty, Free, Growth, Shine. The masculine & feminine symbols represent us, and the Yin/Yang of the planet. We also added symbols for Summer (a season we love), Universal Peace, and three Trinities/Triads (Mind/Body/Spirit or Father/Son/Holy Ghost ~ witch ever suits your soul). There are colours that flow like water, blend like air, anchor like earth, and burn like fire.

Glamma encouraged me to use a pen tube to blow black ink into branches for the cherry blossom trees. I was nervous that I would screw up. They were an element added at near completion. I didn’t want to destroy some of the other things we both loved. But, again, he said, “If we hate it, we’ll cover it.” The branches and blossoms worked out great and I learned a new technique!

This project was a joy and a learning experience, for me. We’ve done plenty of photo shoots together. Glamma: doing makeup, styling, conception, shots. Me: doing lighting, staging, conception, shots. However, this is the first time we’ve ever created art together with paint and canvas. It won’t be the last!

Many have expressed interest in getting prints of this piece. We’ve sourced out shops that make high quality Giclee prints and will be ready to take orders soon!

If you want information on sizes/prices contact:
pameladetlor@thethoughtvox.com

Get Out There And Create!

Join The ART ARMY!

Mothers Day: A day for the good mothers who raise us well, with love and compassion.
I wish every mother were a good mother. I wish every father were present in the lives of their children. Alas, life comes with no guarantees. I’m among the lucky souls who have been blessed with a fine mother. Today is her special day; a day for all loving mothers. Though I’m glad that moms are recognized I believe that every day should be Mother’s Day.

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.
~ William Makepeace Thackeray

There is not a day that passes where I don’t smile at a thought of my mom. Frequent phone calls connect us across the miles. I’m fortunate to miss her and be missed by her. I can’t imagine who I might have been without her love and support.

Stacks of pages, volumes of books, could be filled with stories of what she has given to my sister and I. This small entry can’t begin to tell you a thing. Perhaps the word “MOTHER,” in itself, says everything.

For more than four decades she has nurtured us. Taught us how to be mothers to those who need mothering; be they children birthed or children “acquired.” Our lessons began early with the love of small animals, orphaned, and in need of shelter/care. It is the greatest gift to be taught how to love right, without expectation, without obligation ~ simply to love because love is the natural expression of kindness.

We learned to baby-sit and be patient. We had pets (furry babies) of our own. We moved on to have children: My sister ~ from her womb, me ~ children from the wombs of other women. Young adults who needed a safe place for a little while, while they found their footing and direction.

I never set out to be a “den mother” but I’m fortunate for the kids that came to me: Each one a gift ~ even through tumultuous times.

Take some time today to spend with or call your mom if she is still with us. For all the mothers and grandmothers who have passed on, light a candle in their memories, and never pass up the chance to say, “I love you,” to everyone that matters to you.

To every child I dedicate “Wonder,” because you are all wonders. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

To my mother and every mother I dedicate “Kind & Generous,” because I want to say THANK YOU, with everything in my soul.

My fantastic friends, seesters, Linda & Karen, granted me the honor of being the third author on their latest book “Meeting In The Ladies Room.” Our photo/art book celebrates women and their personal thoughts. During the work putting together this project Karen was diagnosed with and won her battle with cancer!

To honor Karen and women all over the world we are donating 30% of the proceeds of March’s sales to: Susan G Komen For The Cure.

Also: If you order your copy by March 22nd ~ we are offering FREE SHIPPING!

CLICK: BUY THE BOOK

Enter these codes at checkout for free Ground/Economy shipping:

USD $ promo code: WESHIP (Canadian orders use this code, too)
GBP £ promo code: WESHIP2
EUR € promo code: WESHIP3

P.S. If you read Linda’s latest post, my favorite number is also three

Thanks for supporting the cause and celebrating women everywhere!

Pam xo