For my second year of ArtPrize, the American Heart Association invited me to tell the story of Natalie Ruggeri, a young heart patient survivor. The work called Woman in Red combined two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements with paintings and an elegant red gown displayed on a mannequin. This healing work continues to inspire and challenge viewers…
It’s that time of year again. Time to power down for summer. It’s been a busy year! I may check in a time or two here with brief updates on expanding The Scarlet Cord: Healing and Freedom for Sex-trafficked Children and other works. Exciting times—with my sex-trafficking work increasing. Watch for my regular posts starting…
Of all the places to visit in France, Omaha Beach was on our Top 3 list. Seeing thousands of white crosses, a few crumbling bunkers, and the uneven terrain from World War II bombers pelting the shoreline left an indelible mark on our hearts. Over nine thousand American military members are buried above the beach.…
While walking 6.3 miles to the Eiffel Tower, we accidentally discovered the Love Lock Bridge in Paris. I almost missed this Pinterest destination because I was admiring all the French architecture as we crossed this famous footbridge. Yes, I left my husband of 35 years a padlock declaring my love. But after reading about the…
Art speaks a universal language. Right? So, here’s a question to think about: How does art create community? I thought about this question as I waited in huge lines with people from all over the world. Or as I tried to squish up close to a Van Gogh work. Although I couldn’t speak the same…
My definition of being a human who cares about her world began to change in 2011, when I collided with Josephine and other Congolese refugees living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the time, my knowledge of Congo didn’t extend beyond a country located on the map. For the next year, I began to research Congo’s…