What small thing…? (the power of difference, & neighbors gathering)

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Aprilart Studios

As I prep for an ABCD Training for the Public Library Association next week in Chicago, I am moved to revisit some of my favorite stories I’ve encountered of people changing the world starting right outside their front door, acting with the belief that such change starts with rediscovering the art of neighboring, practicing hospitality, & nurturing relationships.

One of these stories is of Don and Terry L. Vande Krol, a husband & wife team, who when I met them at the time were living about 40 miles South of me in North Port, FL.  About a year back, they decided the answer to “How can we live in a more connected community?” was to just try something to make that happen.

So, they began by simply inviting their neighbors over once a week, with devout consistency & easy-going openness, to sit in a circle and answer the simple question, “How was your week?” Then there would be a topic or an idea that had usually emerged from the following week for everyone to spend a bit of time chewing over together. Then, they dug into a potluck meal and just hung out. This tradition became known as Neighbors Gathering.

Seems pretty simple, sweet, nice… but when I had the opportunity thru my work then at SCOPE to sit down with some of those neighbors and ask for their stories of personal and collective transformation, my own belief in the power of this seemingly simple work was exponentially expanded and deepened.

How had simply getting together with neighbors once a month affected their lives? 

 I heard one story of a man who met a neighbor, another man of about his age, maybe a little older, thru Neighbors Gathering. Since this younger man has some carpentry skills, he offered to build the other guy a ramp when he learned thru the weekly meet-up that this neighbor could use one. Just so happened that the younger man was struggling with alcohol addiction, and the older man had beat this addiction himself. A bond was formed which enabled the younger guy to connect with other folks working toward the same goal, which massively helped him in his own journey out of addiction.

Another guy, a relatively solitary fellow, reported that he had found the super useful resource of finding neighbors who would happily watch his cat when he traveled, but also acknowledged a subtle but strong change in his quality of life by simply knowing the people who lived around him, and feeling part of a community.

And I’ll never forget an older woman who shared with utmost sincerity, “Neighbors Gathering has restored my faith in humanity.”

The more I listened, watched, and soaked up the interactions in the Neighbors Gathering space, I became convinced that these few stories, a scratch on the surface on the ecosystem of care, exchange, problem-solving and significant human transformation that flowed from these folks gathering in a circle once a week.

 

I also had the great honor to be welcomed into a few of these gatherings over the course of several months – at which I was delighted to learn that, even tho I had made a 45 min hike down from Sarasota and certainly didn’t live down the block, here I was considered a neighbor — because “A neighbor is someone who we care about and who cares about us,” in the culture of Neighbors Gathering.

Apart from the simplicity of the gathering and the infectious hospitality of the space, one of the things that struck me most was how diverse the group was in terms of age, background, personality, etc. Perhaps because most of our neighborhoods in the US are quite segregated, there was only so much diversity one could expect within a 4-5 block radius, but despite this, it was not the usual “hang with your crowd” type feel I always encounter, to my own dismay, when usually going out and about.

I was moved to revisit the site that Don & Terry built to share some tools so that others might experiment with their own gatherings, and came across this beautiful quote from Don…

“Our soul is enriched by having a diversity of friends and neighbors that we care deeply about who differ from us.”

 …and I wonder, “What would the world look like now if we all did some little thing differently each day, week, or month based upon this conviction?

How would our nation be moved toward a more collectively intelligent reality, in which our politics, identities, and social interactions now seem more dominated than ever by how much more right we are than “those people”? How much less would our human service agencies and other institutions be crying out for more funding so they can solve community issues — since neighbors would now be engaged in solving those for and with each other, and only turning to such services when absolutely necessary?

 

And I say, this would be so to the same degree that Don & Terry restored MY faith in humanity by their repeated action each week to welcome new, different faces into their homes, break bread with them, and inquire into their lives — “exponentially.”

Maybe starting now, or come the New Year, those of us who feel so moved, who — whichever side of the political spectrum we sit upon, are frustrated by the news reports and general state of things — can all begin to experiment together.

As the holidays embrace us, let us ask ourselves:

“What small, repeated action can I take, which I would enjoy enough that I’m willing to commit to doing, that will bring my life closer together with those who are different than me?”

My own answer right now?

To carve out more consistent time to hold space for people on my block to meet & spend time with one another.

 

(P.S. Terry & Don, I miss you guys so much and you continue to be such a deep inspiration to me.)

*  *  *

 

Resources:

Posted in Building Community, Current Issues, Neighborhoods, People Who Inspire Me | Leave a comment

Neighbor Moment: Nancy Called…

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Aprilart Studios

Phew! Another long & satisfying day…

Passed a major milestone in building our company (updates on that soon!), made it outside to plant a half-box of black-eyed peas, and blasted through tons of communications. I’ve been challenging myself lately to focus on priorities and not let myself weasel out of those little extraneous things on my To-Do List that never seem to get done. Crossing those things off feels so good!

But my favorite part?

The thing I didn’t plan for: a call from Nancy, whose list I got on via visiting the Grant Historic House a few weeks ago on a tip from the ladies I met at the Grant Library. Nancy calls me now (on the phone! an unheard of thing these days) to let me know what the craft group for the Historic House is working on, and to invite me to their next get-together this Saturday. They’ll be making bows and flower arrangements to go onto something they made last time, and apparently my next-door neighbor Karen will be leading the class. Everyone brings $5 to cover supplies, and usually we get to take some bows and things we make home– and the final products will be sold come November at the Historic House’s community sales to help keep the house — and our community’s history — well preserved.

Hopefully, I can make it to get to know some of the local ladies, but I was just so touched to be called. There is undeniably something about life-to-life communications like phone (human voice = vibration) or in-person that nourishes us in ways that digital screen-talk like texting and email cannot.

While we chatted (we have never actually met), Nancy asked me what ideas I have for crafts we could make and sell to benefit the Historic House, and she asked me what I do, and answered my questions about the community. We agreed that, even if I don’t make it–and I regrettably might not, as Trae and I have lots to do getting the house in order for company–Nancy and I should get together. “I’m like the town cryer,” she said. “Pretty much anything you need to know, just call me!”

After we hung up, I was chatting with my husband and he reminded me that we’re in need of a good gas weed-eater (until we can buy one)… so I called that very same neighbor, Karen, and before asking about the weed-eater, mentioned I’d just been talking with Nancy. “Oh, I was just about to call her back!”

This feeling of increasing interwoven-ness, of being welcomed and invited and *called* — it just does something to my heart. An ever-deepening sense of belonging. A comfort. A murmuring, subterranean joy… It is the web I most want to be weaving, the thing I most want to be building. I think today felt so nice because that inclusion came to me.

And beyond these deep perks I’m enjoying, I feel newly emboldened excited to keep working on finding ways that all of my neighbors, and neighbors everywhere, can experience and help grow this same kind of belonging and embeddedness.

 

Parallel Inspirations:

  • Achim Nowak, “The Price of NOT Picking up the Phone“
  • “When we discover the true richness of our neighbourhoods- the vast and amazing potential- it becomes clear that we could fill many lifetimes within the boundaries of a few blocks. And that is more than enough.” Jamie Arpin-Ricci

#neighboring #ilovemyneighborhood #abundance #community #hometownlove #neighborhoods

Posted in Building Community, Collaborations, Neighborhoods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

LocalRoving: Green Foods Market (& the power of detours)

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Aprilart Studios

Today, on the way home from a meeting in Melbourne, I took the opportunity to check out a place I’ve had my eye on for weeks now – a little white and pale-green house tucked on the corner of Malabar Rd. and US1, residential by appearance but with the words, “Green Foods Market” spelled out above the front door.

It looks SO residential that I’ve always been unsure if it’s a real thing… So, about a week ago, I did what we do in this day and age: Facebook stalked them. It looked like a legit little operation with smiling owners and friendly-toned posts.

Today I was in a roving kind of way, so I took the turn.

A smiling young man welcomed me in and began showing me around the beautiful space and the healthy bounty for sale there. It has a home-like feeling, as an old home that’s been repurposed as a store, but is also clean and crisp and painted in a relaxing green and cream hues inside.

“What’s the story here,” I asked. “How long have you been here?”

Nathaniel’s parents – vegetarians before it was “in” – founded and have run this store for 12 years in a different (but nearby) location, selling mostly herbs. He just moved back from NY and is helping them expand it to include healthy groceries and, soon, freshly made food, as well as a greenhouse, garden and outdoor area for music and events, all of which he graciously and excitedly showed me. The energy of construction, vision and possibility was infectious and pretty soon I was just as excited as him!

When we came back in the store, I got to meet Nathaniel’s polite, alert young son Makilah, who had been standing dutifully at the register since I entered and whose impressively firm handshake mirrored his father’s. Young Mikalah showed me how he helps run the business – packaging the bulk foods into smaller packages and arranging things around the store.

Early on in the conversation, Nathaniel had asked me–with genuine curiosity–about what I do and as soon as I said I do community building, he asked, “How do I get involved in that?” It soon became clear that he already is involved in that, as he’s been going out and getting acquainted with who and what is going on in town and how they might collaborate.The Market is going to begin offering classes like soap-making, and he asked if I had anything I can teach. “Sure!” I said.

Our dialogue was woven in with excited talk about community-building, roving, getting connected and connecting others. “Because everybody has gifts to give,” he said as we walked back in to the front door.

“Exactly!” I said, “You nailed it.”

 

Since I moved back to my hometown, each week has offered a delightful flow of uncovering hidden treasures of local assets–organizations, good work, businesses, neighbors–which I never thought to look for when I was of high school age. I was always a “rover,” but my turf and interests were mostly natural things or places–or, when I was a child and obsessed with collecting business cards (true story), I didn’t have much economic or other power to wield with those rubber-band-bound little “asset inventories” of mine.

These days, each discovery has an added bonus of, “What?! How did I not know this was here!”

I’m so happy to have taken met this great young entrepreneur who’s equally as stoked about rediscovering his hometown as I am — and this valuable local fixture, and to see where our collaboration might lead. (He is already interested in coming with us to the brilliant Funk/R&B jam at local spot Open Mike’s next Monday, and I already have three people in mind who might also teach classes there.)

I also feel heartened to have this local place to spend my money on food so I can “walk my own talk” to keep money in our community for have maximum positive impact.

I am firmly convinced that it is the accumulation of these many small actions, resonant conversations and “persistence in proximity” (a phrase I heard from journalistic pioneer Chuck Peters) that will change our narrative and our world.

It is these moments of decision to dig deeper, take a detour, and ask, “What’s your story?”

Then follow the thread…

 

 

For Further Exploration:

Go check out this hidden treasure yourself at

Green Foods Market
2745 Malabar Rd.
Malabar, FL

(Or follow their blog or Facebook page )

 

For inspiration and resources on finding and using the assets in your community:

Posted in Building Community, Collaborations, Neighborhoods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Art of Gift-Making: a Process Rife with Abundance

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

Gifting can be hard… really hard!

In 5 Ways to Reclaim the Holidays, I explore ideas for using holiday gift-giving to build community while also producing kick-ass, original presents that will bring joy to your friends & family.

Here, I’d like to expand a bit on some of those ideas, namely those regarding making, or getting things made, for your loved ones.

From the time I could pick up a crayon, drawing has come naturally. And ever since I discovered that I can draw (or paint, or photograph) things that people like, it’s always been natural for me to choose making holiday things for people about 60% of the time over buying.

So for me since time immemorial, holidays are not so much a time for frantic gift-buying as gift-making, as I strive to create a work of art that my friends or family will find meaningful, beautiful and will communicate to them how much they mean to me.

And that is fun, and it works. I get to enjoy making something, and folks like what I give. But I’ve discovered something else as well. Each act of gift-making has not only been a production process, but also a kind of ritual for entering more deeply into my relationship with the recipients. In turn, this deepening has enriched my life in myriad ways. I’ve found this to be one of my best sources of immunity to holiday fatigue as well as a secret sauce for breathing love, life and health into my relationships.

Therefore, I HIGHLY recommend either taking on the adventure of making gifts as well, or considering hiring (or bartering with) a talented friend or local “maker” to create something for those special people on your list this year.

The process, which I’ve developed sort of intuitively over the years, goes as follows–and can be done alone or in partnership with a hired/enlisted “maker” of your preferred talent (visual artist, musical artist, woodworker, crafter, etc.):

*  *  *

First, there’s what I’ll call the “Conception” stage, where the plan for the design comes into shape. To accomplish this, I think/feel into something I know will touch their life. I go through a wheel of questions:

  • “What have they been through this year?”
  • “What phrase or teaching have I heard them share recently, or do I remember from way back is one of their favorites?”
  • “What golden memory did we share, or did they tell me about from this year (or back father)?”  

And, my favorite:

  • “What is their essence–who they are, uniquely–that makes me love them? What symbol, animal, scene, or set of words express that essence?”

This little ritual (which I often do in my head/heart over about two weeks, but sometimes in the short space of a day if time has grown tight) gives me a rare opportunity to make satiated-king-ratspace in my life to deeply, gently, sincerely think about this person in my life and our relationship. One year, I made my father a watercolor and pen portrait of a very satiated rat, flanked on top and bottom with my Dad’s absolute favorite (original) line, “Within this mouth live the tastebuds of a king.”  Another year, I celebrated my Mom’s newfound passion (obsession?) with gardening with a portrait of her (from my head) digging into the dirt with her fingers, with the gentle expression of a cultivator of Life.

On a subterranean level, I have found that this little process tends to heal whatever gunk has built up–small resentments, unspoken protests, or just plain old distance–in between my life and theirs over the last year, and replaces it with a warm flow of affection and knowing.

The “Making” stage deepens this process still, as each stroke of pen or brush, each squinting step-back from the piece to check its progress and quality, each adjustment or experiment becomes a highly physical expression of my bond to them. It’s almost like I’m weaving our lives together with each little action. I can only describe this process as magical.

Finally, after the final artwork has reached its finished stage and I can feel and see that “essence” I dug to find now perfect expression, there’s the wrapping and then the most glorious stage of all: actually “Giving” the gift. Hooray!

I always experience an unparalleled excitement knowing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that their hearts are about to explode as they pick up the brightly wrapped package and seek out the seams of the paper with their fingers. And inevitably, this is the case. It is a timeless moment, in which all of those moments of thinking, planning and doing come to full fruition, expanding from my inner world into their lives as well, and fully inhabiting the space between us.

The, for time unlimited, there’s the “Enjoyment” stage, in which my loved one mounts the creation somewhere to be seen and enjoyed, and this becomes a regular, probably daily reminder to them of the deep care, thought and time that you put into this gift (and by extension, your relationship). In my home, it’s become a kind of gallery my Mom has erected in the hallway, where my years of Christmas gifts hang as a kind of compendium narrative of her and our intertwined lives.

This yearly magic is one reason why I think I’ve remained fairly immune to the rampant disillusionment with the holidays that many of my friends and family report…   too much buying, too much pressure to give — or the sentiment, “Why can’t we be generous to each other year round?”

Well, yes. Good points. But we don’t have to let the pressure of finding gifts become something that drains us. It can be, like it has been for me, something that re-energizes our love for one another and helps grow the roots of our relationships deeper. For me, the rituals of taking the time to deeply reflect on each recipient, what makes them special, and what they would truly love, accomplishes that. Rather than the “only” time of year we do this, this time of year can be a moment like some of us use meditation, prayer or any other kind of ritual — to refresh, re-orient, re-root ourselves in this value of treasuring others.

And, of course I am available to make something custom (email me ASAP so we have time!), or you can pick from any one of my designs or art-printed “swag” online (one friend bought this for his Mom one year).

love-patience-apron

BUT, I’m honestly just as happy if you seek out any other local visual, musical, or crafty-type artist and let them partner with you to make something original for your loved one. You can start by doing a quick mental inventory – “Who do I know that can… (draw / paint / craft / etc.)

 

 

And, for added inspiration, here are a few pictures other I’ve made over the years:

fatherdaughter

made for my father – a portrait of the two of us. (watercolor + pencil)

mamma

a portrait of a friend’s mother, based on a photo of her when she was young. (oil on canvas)

ninaolivia

Drawing from a photo I took in Indianapolis. I made this for my Mom, as this young woman’s obvious love for her daughter and her daughter’s curiosity remind me of our relationship. (pen + ink)

unicorn-catherine-2010

A gift for my friend Catherine, after thinking on her “essence” and knowing that her favorite animal is a unicorn. This kind of evolved as I drew it. She absolutely loved it! (pen + ink)

williamsfamilytree06_mr

My family tree – made for my grand-mother, with copies for each of my family — our family tree. I cherished this chance to celebrate my abundant family. (pen + ink)

 

I was commissioned to make this piece as a present for the client's fiance. We worked together to create a composite of four seasons' worth of photos of their "special spot" in the woods up in Illinois. (acrylic on canvas)

My brother-in-law commissioned me to make this as a present for my sister when they were still engaged. He and I worked together to create a composite of four seasons’ worth of photos of their “special spot” in the woods up in Illinois. (acrylic on canvas)

 

Relationships are woven with the time, care and thought we put into them–and the world is made of relationships. Creating custom gifts, either ourselves or in partnership with a gifted “maker” who can help us bring our ideas to life, is a great way to infuse new vital energy into your relationships. In so doing, we are also building a great wealth of originality, authenticity and the spirit of creating on a micro-local level that can not only transform our immediate personal bonds but also help shift our common culture from dependency to self-reliance and interdependence, from a consumer culture to a producer culture, and from separation to connection.

What greater gift is there to give?

 

LAST THOUGHTS:

Some Ideas for Original Visual Gifts:

  • A portrait of a special person or animal your loved one cares about (child, family photo, pet)
  • A painting of a special moment/memory, place, or thing they love (landscapes, trains, horses, etc. etc.)
  • Their favorite quote – original or borrowed – decorated with related illustration
  • A figurative portrait of them (like the unicorn above)
  • A family or “friend” tree  (Yes, I just made that up. Why not?)

If you have an image in mind and would like something of mine, hit me up — I might have something not pictured in my website that would fit perfectly.

Posted in Art, Being an Artist, Building Community | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Ways to Reclaim the Holidays ~ from Consumers to Producers

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Aprilart Studios
angels-buy-color

source: April Doner

“Angels we have heard on high,
tell us to go out and buy”

So goes Tom Lehrer’s “A Christmas Carol,” which rings strangely relevant today despite the fact that it was written over 50 years ago.

As Lehrer says, “Christmas time is here, by golly.”

And, if you’re anything like me, your life is pre-tty full. And as the holidays descend, announced  by the presence in all stores of X-mas decorations, deals, and constant piped-in carols since before Thanksgiving is even here (really!?!), there are so many things that make even the idea of rustling up gifts for all the people in your life just make you want to groan.

Like,

  • How suuuper commercialized Christmas has become. It can be hard to get excited about giving when it just seems to be about filling company coffers.
  • Time.  Keeping up with everything life throws at us is never easy. Add the obligatory Christmas parties AND  the time to pick out knick knacks and think hard enough to make them thoughtful knick knacks, and you just want to throw your hands up and disappear until January 15 of next year.
  • Money.  Stuff costs money, am-i-right?Buying lots of new stuff can seriously strain the budget. As relatives and friends have babies, there seem to be MORE gifts than ever to buy.
  • Knowing what to get.  Face it — you can’t give them that fancy candle or socks AGAIN this year. They’ll know you’re on auto-pilot! How to nail that authentic, truly thoughtful gift that won’t leave you feeling kind of ashamed when you give it?

I try not to let the environment dictate what I do or how I feel about something. So, if–like me–you’re feeling stressed, reluctant, or overwhelmed at the mere thought of that gift list, try this with me:

Let’s reclaim the holidays. Let’s make them something we want them to be. Let’s tap into our ingenuity and that of the people around us to make this a season we can look back and say, like ol’ Blue Eyes, “I did it my waaaaay.”

By doing this, we can rewrite the narrative that the work of community-building thought leaders John McKnight and Peter Block recently pointed out in their book An Other Kingdom is slowly robbing our lives, neighborhoods and cities of joy, power and well-being: the illusion that what we have, make, and are is and will never be enough, and that only that which we can buy or pay others to do for us holds true value. That it’s what outside rather than inside us or our communities that counts, and we are most powerful as consumers, clients and customers rather than as citizens (ie. individuals with the power to create our future together with others), neighbors, and producers.

How? Mother Theresa is credited with saying:

“It’s not how much we give
but how much love we put into giving.”
― Mother Teresa

Perhaps we can reclaim Christmas by coming up with practical, fun ways to re-inject this obligatory buy-fest with that magic ingredient we all truly crave, and which I believe is the original spirit of the holiday: Love.

Here are 5 ideas I’ve learned through my own experimentation and through the modeling of my awesome community-building mother (the queen of making parties & re-gifting!) and many friends, neighbors and colleagues in the world of asset-based community development.

(1.)  HUNT LOCALLY

What are people making in your neighborhood, town or city? Your locally bought gift will automatically gain love/value points because seeking out something locally that relates to a person on your list takes time and effort–and, you can probably accompany the giving with a great story about finding item and meeting its maker. Not only that, you gain value by getting out into your community and learning what’s out there, building relationships with all the productive, creative folks out beyond your doorstep. (Read: increased love all around!)

[A breakdown of how focusing your gift-hunt locally can enrich your gifts and life: First, you’ll add to your inventory of resources by discovering some really cool things and makers in your area you didn’t know about before. Second, you’ll generate good-will with someone in your community, which not only makes you feel good but also tends to show up again down the road as a kindness, savings, or benefit of some kind coming back to you. Local makers value their customers way more than any large chain ever truly can, because you make up such a larger proportion of their revenue–aka survival–and because they get to meet you face to face. Third, getting out for a local gift hunt gives you a chance to bump into people you know in town, or meet new people during the process. And, last but not least, you’ll feel the satisfaction that you are doing something tangible with one of the most powerful tools we have (our money!) to strengthen the health of your community’s economy. New research has demonstrated that money spent at locally-owned businesses is “twice as efficient as keeping the local economy alive.”]

>> Action tips:
Find a Neighborhood Maker. Ask the busy-body on your block or in your neighborhood, “Do we have anyone who makes stuff in our neighborhood?” Or, if you already know some neighbors, think about whether you know something already they can make, or just ask them if they know anyone. As Jamie Arwin Ricci says, “When we discover the true richness of our neighborhoods- the vast and amazing potential- it becomes clear that we could fill many lifetimes within the boundaries of a few blocks. And that is more than enough.”

Hit up your local Farmer’s Market.  You can generally find all kinds of packaged fancy foods, home-made niceties like candles, toys, body products, etc. there. Some cities even have multiple markets, so you might even be able to find one super close to home. (We now have three in Sarasota:  Downtown Farmer’s Market, Newtown Nation Farmer’s Market, Central Sarasota Farmer’s Market)

ahb_2016_mommy_magazine

source: www.atomicholidaybazaar.com

Find an Indie-Market near you.  A quick google search of “indie craft show (insert your town/city here)” should turn you up something, or ask any well-connected friend-about-town and they can probably steer you toward a great spot teeming with locally crafted, highly creative goodies of all kinds made with love by creative, often young entrepreneurs who you’ll enjoy meeting and be doing a great service to by patronizing.  Here’s my favorite local one:  Atomic Holiday Bazaar (they even have Derby Girls!).

Bring a friend. Everything’s better together, right? Discover your town together and make some new memories.

 

(2.)  MAKE IT!

I don’t know about you, but most hand-made things are SO much more meaningful to me as gifts than those that are store-bought. Granted, your nephew might throw a fit if he doesn’t get that particular video game or new device on his list… but, apart from those exceptions, many more people than we might assume will appreciate a gift made by your very own loving hands.

Often, time can be a barrier to making gifts. But consider this: when I think about something I’m good at and genuinely enjoy doing (for me: art, photography, and cooking), spending time using those talents to make gifts becomes something that has other added benefits to my life and something I’m happy to make time for.

A lot of us either already have some time set aside in our lives for doing what we love, or we wish we did. Making gifts gives you an excuse to take that time that you want to take anyway, and develop a talent of yours by using it. And, in my experience, there’s very little more satisfying than putting my talents to use for the sake of making someone I love know how much I love them.

everyone-has-gifts

source: April Doner

>> Action tips:
Don’t think of yourself as talented? Phooey! Everyone has a gift. Even if it’s just something you personally love — like, if you love music, make everyone a Mix CD of your favorite songs. A friend of mine did that one year, and even this seemingly small and easy thing to make came across as such a unique, genuine gift that just re-enriched the friendship every time we listened to it.

Try this question on:  “What do you love doing so much that you lose track of time doing it?” How could you turn that into a gift to someone else? And if time is an issue, “How could you make a BUNCH of gifts at once in, say, an afternoon, using that gift?”  For example:  “I love to cook” –> Make everyone your favorite easy cookies or salad dressing.

If you’re still grasping for ideas, check out this great compilation of 100 Mind-Blowing DIY Christmas Gifts People Actually Want.

(3.)  COLLABORATE!

Say you have have loads of creativity, but very little cash on hand. Or you may have a great idea for some art, a song or a poem that would make Mom/Dad/Bro/Bestie’s day, but no art skills whatsoever. Take 10 minutes and think of the people in your circle who you can combine skills or resources with to make some completely unique, inherently thoughtful (because you put thought into making them) gifts.

collaborate-and-listen

>> Action tips:

Make a trade.  Collaborating opens the door to a beautiful old tradition that both saves money and enriches relationships: bartering! What could you trade with a maker you know for their creation(s)? Example: If you can write, ask your visually gifted friend to make you a border for your writing. If you’re good at making things pretty, maybe your friend who cooks will make you some goodies if you decorate your own bags, and some for the folks on their list too? Or, you could just offer to “pay” in the form of something you have or can do that they value–dog-walking, copy-editing, giving advice, etc. etc. Start the conversation, and see what synergy you find. You then walk away with an added value of an relationship of exchange and mutual delight that “keeps giving” after the holidays have passed. Not exactly the kind of thing that happens from your purchases at Target, right?

Throw a “Making Party.” Know someone who’s great at crafting? I do — her name’s Kari Bunker and she’s not only a genius artistic crafter *but* she loves breaking the process down for all us fumbly lay-people out there in a group setting. Call that person up and say, “Hey, let’s make stuff together for our Christmas list!” Invite some friends over, pump up your favorite Christmas (or anti-Christmas?) jams and have at it. You’ll not only get your list covered, but enjoy de-stressing with people you probably struggle to spend time with anyway. Or, if you have kids, or if your friends have kids, make it a multi-generational shindig that ends up bringing everyone closer together.

 

(4.)  RE-GIFT

I know, I know…  Re-gifting is supposed to be tacky. But hear me out. Have you ever really thought about this? What if we considered the impact that constantly producing more and more stuff as a society–a trend we support when we buy things new–is having on our planet, even on our psyche? And just think about all of the stuff sitting, perfectly useable, gathering dust on thrift stores or peoples’ closets because of this obsession of ours with “new.”

Maybe it’s because I’m the granddaughter of a dedicated scavenger (my paternal grandfather’s favorite spot was the dump), but I reject the idea that the very same object loses all value as gift the moment it’s unwrapped and becomes “used.” (I mean, unless we’re talking underwear.)

Pretty much all of us have some stuff laying around ready for the thrift store. A lot of that stuff is practically new, right? So maybe, just maybe, we could entertain Mother Theresa’s wise words that it’s the love that counts, the thought in choosing it and the intention behind it–not the newness.

It’s up to you to divulge your gifts’ new/used status upon their giving, but whatever you choose, you’ll know when you’re wrapping and handing over that re-purposed book, scarf, notebook, earrings that something connected to someone you love is going into the life of someone else you love. And, you’ll have saved that thing from going to a thrift store where it’ll have no sentimental value for anyone.

>> Action tips:

Gather all that stuff that’s lost its usefulness (for you) and look at it. Let yourself imagine who in your life would just love it? If it doesn’t come to right away, give it a few days. Ask a family member or friend for help brainstorming.

Hold a “Swap Party” with your neighbors, friends, or both to swap treasures where you can discover “another man’s (or woman’s) treasure” from each other’s stuff over snacks and refreshments?  (For help: “How to Host a Swap Party”)

swap-clothing

source: www.pinterest.com/kkauffman

(5.)  GIVE YOUR PRECIOUS TIME

For Christmas this year, I’m giving my Mom an hour of labor in her yard. Yes, really. Over Thanksgiving, we were talking about how tired we are of traditional gift-shopping and came up with this solution. These days, time is truly precious–so what could be more meaningful than giving it as a gift? It will help you make your relationships a priority and re-ground them in that beautiful, irreplaceable realm of physical, face-to-face nearness that seems in such short supply in our social-media-ed times.

How about giving a Walk on the Beach, a Night at the Movies, or Help Doing A, B, or C that your loved one needs? You can even offer an open ticket for one or two hours of time doing anything at all they would like to do with you.

>> Action tips:
Sit down, look at your X-mas shopping list and think of things you could give each person in the form of time… What do you both love doing? What do  they need help with? What have always said you want to do together one day?

Put it in Writing and wrap it up!  You could use this handy Certificate Maker to give your gift form, buy an inexpensive but nice-looking envelope or folder at your local office supply store, and wrap it up!  (It took me literally two minutes to make this one):

certificatemagic_13-14-45

 

These are just some ideas…  the possibilities for using the holidays as an excuse for generating the more profound, expansive wealth of relationship and community are pretty much endless. And in our trying, we can contribute not only to a greater sense of connectedness, but to the spread of a culture of hospitality, one of the greatest treasures of all.

In the words of my friend Howard Lawrence, founder of the Abundant Community Initiative,

“The practice of local hospitality in our society will tend to be rejected as of little consequence. We look for value or fulfillment through participation in earthshaking events or significant cultural moments. This can cripple us. It is possible that this small thing ironically will bring the greatest impact. Hospitality is a practice and discipline that asks us to do what in the system’s eyes might seem inconsequential but from the perspective of well-being, is monumental. This breaking bread among neighbors may well be the essence of what it means to be human.”

xmas-love-community-color

source: April Doner

What ways have you found to reclaim the holidays for you, your family or neighborhood? Please share!

 

Related Blogs:

Posted in Art, Building Community, Graphic Recording / Sketchnotes, Neighborhoods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Shock and Resilience, in Squirrel Form

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

 

squirrely

Feeling grateful to have met this little creature today and had the unique opportunity to spend time with a “wild” being. Like many of us of late, he/she was in shock – in its case, my slinky black cat had somehow caught him by the neck and brought it into the house (quite proud and excited).

With a torn heart (i do respect a hunter’s right to its prey… but I can’t just let a creature die a few feet away from me) I extricated it from Solomon’s jaws, and little thing just wouldn’t move, tho I know its neck wasn’t broken. So I put it gently into a Tupperware with a soft dishrag just beside my work station in the study, periodically petted it and just stayed with it.

Then Trae walked in and went to pet it and WHOA! Little thing shot up and began fireballing around the room, from chair rim to daybed to desk edge to right behind the printer… Where it stopped and just kinda hunkered down. One minute ago running away, now it let me put my hands around it and pick it up. I carried the sweet creature thru the wooden gate, to the yard and out to the big tree where I heard (maybe?) its little cousins or sisters cawing up above in their scratchy squirrel way, perhaps lamenting the assumed death of their kin, snatched by a black cat. It laid inert in my grasp until its toes touched tree trunk, then SHOOP, up it went!

Free and hopefully happy, and hopefully not too traumatized.

This revival is what I’m 100% committed to hastened for my country, which I love, and which is suffering.

Thanks little buddy for gracing my day.

 

More election reflections coming soon…

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A Bloggy Conundrum

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

OK y’all, this is an audience participation blog.  Get ready to share!

I’ve been grappling with a conundrum of late, and am at that point of inner stalemate that begs for outside feedback.

DanteinSFL5.11_LR

As my husband and I have gotten settled here in Florida, I’ve been getting greater clarity on my own aspirations and directions.  As that happens and as I dive newly headlong into my two passions of Community-Building / Neighborhood Organizing and Art, I’d like to share the journey as well as the resources, victories, insights and neat things I find along the way by “re-upping” my blogging to a consistent, rich flow of content.

BUT — I keep getting caught up in this big thorny question:

Up until now, my blog (http://www.aprildoner.com/blog/) has embraced multiple topics, generally being around “Community Building/ Social Change / Asset-Based Neighborhood Organizing / Citizenship” OR around “Art / Being an Artist / Storytelling.”

Should split these into two separate blogs? Or can they coexist organically under one bloggy umbrella home, and still make sense?

I’ve done a bunch of research and have found arguments and also examples which would support both answers…   

Blog Conundrum_LR

Here’s why I haven’t thus far:

  1. Most of my readers come via knowing me, and as such seem to enjoy seeing stuff that reflects both sides of who I am.
  2. I think these topics can often overlap–ie. these two practices, like others, when done well, reveal similar patterns and lessons and sometimes pose similar struggles.  Plus art is very important to community-building/social change, and I see my life as a big petri dish for learning how.
  3. Some reason that’s hard to articulate…  perhaps that I like synthesis over separation?  I like all these things to have one “home” together.

As I move forward, I’d like to start producing with consistency this particular kind of content:

  • Interviews with amazing people doing amazing things in the above fields mentioned.
  • Going deeper into the intersection between neighborhood connectivity / organizing and systemic economic change.
  • My own stories of experimentation in seeking, revealing and connecting abundance in my own community.
  • The art I’m producing, with requests for feedback from other artists, or anyone really.
  • Research and experiments in the space between artistic storytelling and creative social change.

 

Do you see these things working under one cyber-roof?  Or should one of these areas perform its own (non-catastrophic) “Blexit”?

AND, of course, please share any ideas on other kinds of posts you’d like to see, or suggestions for making my blog great.

 

Ideas – Suggestions – GO!!!!!

Posted in Being an Artist, Building Community, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Sketch: Fandango Jazz

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

Two months ago, I bought a cute red sketchbook… it’s taken me that long to crack it open.  I’ve been knowing I need, “one day,” to get back to one of the things that I never needed to be taught…  art — and that to be serious about art, I need to be drawing and learning from life all the time.

SketchbookMR

I’ve come to realize that yes, I can be a good photographer, I could learn video and do that well, and I can do graphic recording well, and get even better…  but I never feel as alive, powerful, contributive and authentically me as when I’m doing straight-up art (or building community!).

So steps must be taken!  And I’m now committing myself to sketching regularly.  I love this little book which is not only my favorite color, but fits so easily into my purse.

 

Here’s one of my first sketches since this re-start: from a delightful evening watching my friend Thomas Carabasi perform in the ‪#‎FandangoJazzTrio‬ together with Mike Ross & LaRue Nickelson at Fandango Cafe in Sarasota (It’s just a block away from a house I once lived in, years ago. They have a killer Mediterranean menu, by the way, and I highly recommend it!)

IMG_0728

I love pen and find it especially fun to draw musicians — their creativity embodied energizes me, and I feel like I’m drawing something divine…  Plus, instruments always look cool. (Tom is not pictured… ran out of time to capture him :p)

You can see a recording of the performance on the Fandango Facbook page for July 3, and catch this great trio every Saturday night at 7:30. Good music is alive in Sarasota!

 

I like the sketch, but do feel I could have capture more of the gestures of the guys, and taken the shading to a more impactful level.  Feedback welcomed!

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First i-Pad Sketch!

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

Yesterday, we invested in an i-Pad.  I’m NOT a fan of touch-screen, mainly because I’m a major creature of habit, but I could see some potential for using this technology for live graphic recording that can be quickly projected in a group gathering and perhaps adding some magic (and perhaps doing graphic recording for webinars…?)

Today I tried my hand at sketching, as kitty Solomon slept cozily on the daybed.  Here’s what came out:

SolomonSleeps

 

 

Observations:

  • I still think there’s something powerful about touching actual pen to actual paper…  the scratching of material on material, the need to watch not getting ink on your hands, the attunement of self to the physical world we inhabit. If an art teacher I admire’s belief that art is “learning from Life,” it still feels true to me that staying in touch with life’s physicality in the way we draw is somehow important. This is a gut kind of feeling and I’m not quite sure how to articulate it.
  • That said, it also is never a bad thing to have more skills. And I certainly won’t knock any artist who chooses this form over good old pen/brush on paper/wood/whatever.
  • The technology IS quite impressive!  Especially the water-color feature.
  • A very random, lovely thing happened when I shared this on Facebook:

Solomon Sleeps _Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 4.37.00 PM

 

Feedback?

Have you played with i-Pad / tablet sketching and found anything out?

Posted in Art, Being an Artist, Stories Behind Artwork | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Graphic Notes: “Make Every Connection Count”

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Aprilart Studios

I got some very encouraging ideas and examples from some dynamic, heart-centered and successful business-ladies today!

 

Here are my notes fromWomen With Moxie International Network‘s webinar, “Making Every Connection Count.”

 

WwMoxie_6.2016_P1_MR

WwMoxie_6.2016_P2

My favorite things:

  • COMBINE ACTIVITIES ~ find something you enjoy doing and invite someone along. Like, if you walk every day, invite a different person each day. Nurturing our relationships naturally leads to opportunities, and we can do it while authentically valuing the people in our network.
  • There was a great back-and-forth around “removing negativity,” and being willing to cease our relating with people we don’t feel are engaging with US authentically…  I appreciated one speaker’s point that too often, we as women don’t communicate with each other when something rubs us the wrong way, and in doing this we end up sacrificing relationships to pent up frustrations/judgments and also missing an opportunity to give really helpful feedback. In the business world, she stressed, you say what needs to be said for the sake of the working relationship.  Too often, women talk about someone or silently judge, but don’t just have a straightforward conversation–one which could greatly help the other woman see herself and how she’s coming across. (For instance, those colleagues who only seem to reach out to you when they want to market their business). This made me really reflect on my own habits and recognize quite a bit of truth in this!

 

Thank you Dill Ward for your great work!!! I hope these notes can be helpful to the other participants and to your network 🙂

 

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