Her & Her Dogs

PLUS THE CAT - RESCUES ADVOCATING FOR RESCUES

PAPER BAG PETS

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PRACTICING PATIENCE, CREATIVITY, & COMPASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

AT the start of the pandemic, many grocery stores switched to paper shopping bags instead of plastic bags, and you absolutely could not use your reusable bags.

I started saving my paper bags, hoping that I would figure out some way to recycle them. My favourite:

PAPER BAG PETS

During my art studies, we practiced many techniques and exercises. Continuous line drawing was one such exercise. It probably sticks with me the most as it frustrated the heck out of me. I could not get out of my head enough just to let loose and create. The drawing is made using – you guessed it, one continuous line. The line should never break. It is meant to enhance your observational skills.

THE EXERCISE

Pick an image you would like to draw

Place your pen or marker (no erasing) on your piece of brown bag paper and begin to draw what you see. You can go over an area where you’ve already drawn, however,

DO NOT LIFT THE MARKER FROM THE PAPER

I am getting better at not needing these creations to look exactly like the subject I’m drawing. I appreciate the beauty in imperfection. The imperfections are what make these pieces so interesting to look at.

Embrace imperfection; it adds character

I cut the paper bags into 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 pieces

Covering with cotton, I ironed the pieces so they weren’t so crumpled. They still contain plenty of character – some even have a few grease spots!

Playing relaxing music in the background, I picked up a medium-tipped pen, chose a point in the middle of my photo to work from, and slowly worked around the paper to create my continuous line drawing of Ricky.

It’s stressful times. I hope you can find a few minutes to try this exercise. If you do, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

OTHER WAYS TO USE PAPER BAGS:

CRAFT PROJECTS FOR KIDS

Cut out pieces as I did above and use them as drawing and colouring paper, or kids can make fun masks out of the bags and simply cut out mouth and eyes.

BOOK COVERS

For some reason, I feel the need to remove the cover of a hardback book before I start reading it, especially if the book is on loan. I’m not hard on books – I don’t dog-ear the pages, and I always wash my hands before flipping through it. I just like to preserve the cover. A temporary paper bag sleeve works perfectly! Plus, if you’re ready the Fifty Shades series in public….

REGIFTING

Our apple tree is ripe with fruit. I filled two bags before meeting up with friends. They were delighted with the produce, and I think the brown paper was the perfect, rustic, farm-style gift bag choice.

GIFT BAGS & TAGS

Similar idea as above; however, you can cut the bags into sheets of gift wrap or tags and decorate with burlap, twine, lace, or get creative: paint, stencil, or modge podge cutout pieces onto your plain brown paper.

USE FOR COMPOSTING

I have a garbage bin and compost bin built into one of my kitchen cabinets. We used to use biodegradable bags in the compost bin; since the paper is also compostable, I am adding my kitchen scraps and other compost items in a paper bag. When it’s complete, I place it directly into the green bin. Do you use compost in your garden? Even better! Dump the food scraps onto your compost heap and add the pieces of the torn-up bag to the pile.

PREVENT WEEDS

A friend of ours is in the horticultural group in town. They look after the beautiful grounds of our local park. Recently, she put a call out to friends, asking us to save our newspapers and flyers to help them fight the weed growth. These paper bags work just as well, if not better, as they do not contain ink/dye. Use in your gardens by placing paper bags on the soil around your plants before mulching. This layer helps prevent weeds from taking over your beautiful plants! 

I love walking the dogs in the park, admiring the fantastic work of the group, and knowing I was able to contribute a tiny, weeny bit. 

I hope you have found ways to take mental breaks during these trying times.

 

 

 

 

CAT INSPIRED PLATE WALL

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DOG HOUSE DECOR – CAT PLATE WALL

Hang plates on a wall?  Why?

Ricky’s Wall

That’s what I used to wonder.  Until inspired by my work of art by the ‘Crazy Plate Lady.’

“My business is adding personality to peoples homes. When you bring a smile to someone’s face, before they even get to the table, that’s what it’s all about.” – The Crazy Plate Lady

Notice the little red angel on Jacqueline’s shoulder? Or is he the devil? Meow!

I wanted our newly renovated farmhouse to be a ‘modern farmhouse.’ Yesteryear charm mixed with modern colours and patterns.

Canines primarily run my house; toys and dog beds are scattered throughout. I figured why not give Ricky a whole feature wall of his own?

It took months for me to figure out how and where to display my Ricky plate in the new house.  The layout is relatively open-concept, and I wanted a cohesive blend with all the other displays of art in the area: colour, shapes, materials, style, etc.

Colour Theory

Most of the time I go by instinct when it comes to picking accent pieces and colours.  If I like it and it makes my house feel homey, I’m good. I have chosen décor themes for rooms based on the smallest accent piece instead of the other-way-around.  Backwards?  Perhaps.

Sometimes my choices make sense without me having to put much thought into it.  I love when that happens, and I can pretend I knew what the heck I was doing.

My favourite colour is not one of the three primary colours: red, blue, or yellow.  I love the many different shades of turquoise, teal, and sea-foam blue (secondary or tertiary colours). LOVE these blues. You’ll see reflections of this throughout my little nest.

On the colour chart, blue is complementary to orange. Therefore, I figured ginger kitty with blonde highlights would work well with my choice of turquoise and cornmeal yellow plates. The connection between colours only occurred to me as I started laying plates next to each other.

Plate walls are a great, inexpensive way to create an artistic display within your home. I love the look of monochromatic themes but chose to mix some colour in with more traditional, vintage pieces for my arrangement.

This ain’t your Granny’s plate wall!

Two of the plates did, in fact, belong to my Grandmother. I stole the small, shapely, yellow plate and the round, off-white plate from my mother’s cupboard. The remainder of my collection came from local thrift stores, Homesense, and the grocery store (President’s Choice – Everyday Essentials).

LOVE the blues.

If you’re struggling to figure out the look you want, check online for plenty of ideas.  I recommend not being in a rush to create your display. It might be more of a challenge and take longer to match an online design. You will have to find similar plates, colours, and patterns. Coming up with my vision was a test of patience for me but ultimately, worth the wait. I’m thrilled with how my arrangement turned out.

Part of the fun of this project was finding the perfect pieces to tie into my theme. It was a treasure hunt!

Now that you have your concept and plates, it’s time to attach them to the wall.

But first, you might want to trace them out on kraft paper. I picked up several rolls at Dollarama.

  1. Measure the wall area where your display will be featured. If it’s not going to be wall to wall, be sure to mark the area where the template will sit.
  2. Create a template of that space out of kraft paper.
  3. Decide on the layout design of plates and trace around them on the kraft paper. If you’re using similar sizes and shapes, you might want to write a description on your plate outline to note any differences.  Especially if you’re not completing this project in one go. Now, where was I…………..
  4. Wash and dry plates thoroughly, removing any scratches. See below.
  5. Attach your hooks to the backs of your plates according to the direction you will display them on the wall. Yup, that was nearly an Ooops! Glue takes plenty of time to dry. See below.
  6. Measure the distance from the top of your plate to the ‘nail’ area of the plate hanger and mark this on your template.
  7. Tape your template to the wall and insert nails or fixings appropriate to wall type. See below.
  8. Remove the template carefully. You may still need to refer to this as a reminder of which plates go where.
  9. Hang your plates and admire!

Removing scratches

I’m all for ‘charm’ but some of the dark scratches across my light, vintage plates was not the look I was going for.  This was easily remedied by using a gentle yet mildly abrasive cleanser.  I only had liquid Vim which turned out to be abrasive enough.  You could also use Comet, Bar Keeper’s Friend, or good old Baking Soda. Since Vim was in liquid form already, I was good to go.  If you choose one of the other options, you’ll need to add some water to make it into a paste. Then rub the solution into the scratches with a cloth or scrub sponge to remove them.

Hooks

I recommend these hooks – they are durable, easy to use, can be purchased in packs of four or more, and can also be easily modified if your plates are different sizes. I was happy to go larger and take comfort in knowing that Ricky wasn’t going anywhere.  I tried a different brand initially – impatient me didn’t want to wait for these fabulous fixers to arrive.  That ended in a casualty.  Thankfully, I tested the subpar sticky device on an easily replaceable plate. Something to keep in mind.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate and referral links. I may earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase. I use these funds to feed my cats. Thanks for the cat food.

Once the plates are clean and dry, decide how you will adhere your hooks on the backs of your plates. Take into consideration any exaggerated rims and ridges.  Directions provided by this company include a workaround for such instances.  Using some water on your fingertips, work the glue into goo and let it sit for a few minutes to become tacky before attaching disc to your plate. Once disc is applied, you don’t have much time to adjust.

Leave to glue to set entirely before attaching them to the wall.

Waiting patiently…..

SIMILAR TO A PHOTO FRAME, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW IF YOUR PLATE WILL BE HORIZONTAL OR LANDSCAPE!

My husband was not so thrilled when I told him my idea for this area of the kitchen.  After all, this brick wall was more than a century old.  No pressure (gulp). This is why I suggest using a template. Special screws were used to fix the plate hooks to the brick wall as standard picture hook nails would not do the trick.

Like it? Please Pin it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love walking through my kitchen door and seeing Ricky on the wall.

 

Check out more of Jacqueline’s work on Instagram!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEAN O’DANIELS ART

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FEATURED ARTIST INTERVIEW

Before he was recognized for his uplifting and colourful pet portraits, Sean O’Daniels was a professional concept artist and art director.  He visually developed the backstories for characters in games and film, creating the look and feel of characters and the environments in which they appear.

The inspiration behind the addition of pet portraits was Sean’s rescue dog, Rocky. Until Sean created his series of paintings with Rocky as his subject, he had never considered pursuing his own art.

Sean says,

If you own or used to own a dog, you understand how much they impact our lives. The silent bonds and stories we share with them inspire us to be better people

In between work projects, Sean would paint Rocky. He was determined to capture not only Rocky’s likeness but also, the personality of his beloved dog and everything he felt Rocky represented:  Loyalty (Rocky carried everything, including Sean’s wife’s purse.) Confidence (his short legs and stature never limited him). Most of all, Rocky taught his people to trust, to believe in themselves and never doubt or give up on their dreams.

A Girl’s Best Friend

The last lesson was the most difficult, painfully realized upon Rocky’s passing in 2016.

The night Rocky died I began to paint the stories and personalities of other pups, giving those silent bonds and stories a voice. Other than writers, I don’t know of many others who can articulate what dogs mean to their people.

What about me?

Although he occasionally does use traditional acrylic on canvas, Sean’s primary form of art is digital. That way, pet owners don’t have to commit to a fixed canvas size or high price. The digital artwork, in various sizes, is available to pet owners and other consumers, online. Sean paints and sketches directly onto his iPad or stylus and the process of layering is demonstrated through Instagram videos.

Also on Sean’s Instagram account are the cutest pics of rescue dog, Toby. Chiweenie Toby joined Sean’s family a little more than a year after they lost Rocky.

Digital format gives artists the freedom to experiment and explore but when you work with other mediums, you need a game plan, and it can take months to create a piece. Working digitally is less constrictive says Sean, he doesn’t have to stay within the confines of a reference photo.

When asked about his ‘favourite place to create’, Sean shares that he likes to move around and becomes creatively stagnant if he has to show up and the same place to create. Another advantage of working digitally.

Sean does not just paint pet portraits. For him, it’s all about capturing the character and the story. The ‘narrative.’

To qualify a dog as one of Sean’s subjects, potential clients are asked to share a unique idea about their companion and provide photos that demonstrate a distinguishing characteristic or quality. Once he is ‘jazzed’ about a project, Sean requests a deposit and arranges a further discussion to share ideas and combine elements and explore and develop subtleties that might not have been fully expressed initially.  Anything that will make the piece as unique and personal as possible.

Upon completion of the project, clients choose whatever size of artwork they want, up to 30 x 30.  There are no ‘originals.’ Even when Sean creates an acrylic on canvas piece, he rarely sells an original, so to keep the cost down for his customers.

Some people see their pets as objects. They don’t see their pet’s true personalities, or recognize what they have to teach us or appreciate that they even have a story.  These people just want a picture, and there are a million artists who will just paint a picture for them.

If people aren’t able to convey the narrative, Sean will decline their commission as he does not believe it will turn out well. Some individuals find it difficult to communicate this information.

It’s funny, says Sean, some of the stories we share are maybe not ones we consider unique, but when I get my clients to open up, they tell me things they haven’t even shared with their closest friends. The bonds they have with these animals are unspoken, and during our consultation, it’s the first time they’re sharing with another person.

These are the things that get me fired up and that I want the artwork to express. Each time they show the piece to people, they have a story to share; there’s something in the composition that represents a unique trait (of their companion).

We think our stories aren’t unique. However, it’s amazing how many people visit the site, see a photo, and they get it! They totally get what that dog is about!

Sean was contacted about having one of his pieces licensed to be used in the backdrop of a scene in a movie! The piece was of an Irish Terrier with a pint of Guinness. The subject, a family dog, named……………………………yup, you guessed it, Guinness!

That’s the coolest thing; that people relate to my pieces.

 

Thanks, Sean

 

 

 

 

 

PURRRRRRRRRLS

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BLING IS A BIG THING!

The purrrrfect accessories

Previously, I wrote about the importance of having a name – an identity.  I believe our possessions should not define us, and of course, health and wellness come first. However, in our house, bling is a big thing.  I don’t always remember to put collars back on after the pups have been dried off after their baths.

When I do finally get around to picking the collars up, they jingle jangle like a wrist full of bangles, when the I.D. tag, the insurance tag, and the D-ring connect.  Henry and Reese come running from the other room, to claim their charms and be reclaimed. Jack isn’t as excited about the process, but he follows the other two and waits for his turn to be styled.

They like having their collars clicked into place around their necks. I imagine it’s as comforting to them as the habit for some of reaching up to their neck and feeling the string of pearls, inherited from a loved one.

I have changed the collars over the years due to broken clasps, or worn fabric.  Just as some people are sentimental about a favourite necklace, or fond of a pair of everyday earrings, I feel the same way about my crew’s tags.  I could never change them. Their tags are their statement pieces (King Henry, A (Reeses) piece of my heart, and our (Union) Jack.  I did have to replace one though.  Who only knows where King Henry’s ‘I’ tag went.

This canvas is called ‘Purrrrrrrls.’  It is the first in the ‘HER’ series featuring ‘her and her companion.’  Canvases, giclee prints and notecards of each piece will be available for purchase very soon.

And yes Paula it could be you!  Alterations to the piece include a change of hair, fur, eye, skin, and background colour.  Additional changes are considered ‘custom.’  Please contact me if interested in a quote.

A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH JEWELRY – OR CATS

The only valuable pieces of jewelry I own are my engagement diamond and the pearl necklace I wore on my wedding day.  I prefer to have fun with costume jewelry.  Recently, I found a way to support rescue organizations through my love of accessories.  I became a Stella & Dot stylist!  Each party that I host raises money for the organization.

What is your favourite piece of jewelry, and why is it your favourite?

 
 
 
 

2016 A TO Z CHALLENGE REFLECTIONS

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I SURVIVED!!!

a to z survivor 2016

I can’t say ‘I survived’ as there was no danger or hardship. This process was a challenge, though. I enjoyed the journey very much, and I look forward to doing it again next year! I already have a theme.

The hosts, co-hosts, helpers and assistants share plenty of information before launching the challenge. I was able to find the answer to most of my questions in a post. However, I did send two email messages and each time received an informative response promptly.

The participants and the organizational team were very positive and supportive of one another leading up to, and following the challenge.

Things I would have done differently:
•although I did plan ahead and had an idea of what each letter would be subject wise, I did end up changing a few when, at the last minute I found animals with the corresponding name, which were in need of homes. I chose to create portraits and feature them instead of going with my original idea.
•expanding on the above, by planning ahead and being a bit more organized I will have more time throughout the challenge to visit the sites of other participants. This challenge is not over for me; I plan to visit everyone on the list before I call it a complete success.
•I had a difficult time working so quickly even though that was my goal. I generally take too long to work on a portrait. The artwork throughout this project was meant to be somewhat whimsical and done WITHOUT all the detailed work I typically exhibit.

Successes:
•there are fabulous sites belonging to other participants. I enjoyed visiting these and look forward to reading more of their posts in future.
•artwork for twenty-six posts created (plus two: original intro. and re-do shown above).
•getting comfortable to work quickly did not take too long. I am pleased with the look of these portraits and will continue to produce work in this style.
•some of the artwork will be printed on note cards, and these cards will be available for purchase. Which do you think should be made into cards?
•a significant portion of proceeds from the sale of the note cards will support various causes including the organization that inspired my theme: Pilots N Paws Canada. The remainder covers the cost of printing and art supplies.
•To further support the efforts of various rescue organizations, I will be donating custom portraits at silent auctions or as raffle prizes to help raise funds.

I hope you enjoy the gallery I created to include the challenge pieces. Thank you, everyone, who visited and for your words of encouragement – I truly appreciate your comments.

Thank you,
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M – MIKE

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BLOGGING FROM A TO Z

Meet Mike, a large four and a half year old Border Collie & Dalmatian Mix in need of a loving, forever home.

This stunning boy has a seizure disorder controlled with medication that costs less than some people spend on coffee each month.

I spoke with two staff members who both agreed:

Mike is an absolute sweetheart

When surrendered to the shelter, he clung to his owner.   Mike loves people and being close to them. He enjoys going for walks before settling in for a cuddle.

Are you interested in meeting Mike?  If so, please contact White Oak Animal Safe Haven, a no kill shelter located in White Oak, Pennsylvania.

Thank you,

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L – LIMA

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BLOGGING FROM A TO Z

Llamawm

Interesting facts:

Lima is the capital of Peru located in the central, coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If you travel to Peru, you’ll see llamas everywhere.  Particularly in the highlands. In the Sacred Valley children as young as four and five can be seen with baby llamas, as it is the custom for Peruvian children to raise the llamas for their wool.

The wool produced by a llama is very soft and lanolin-free. They are intelligent and can learn simple tasks after a few repetitions. Llamas are social animals and live with other llamas in a herd.  When used as a pack animal, llamas can carry up to 30% of their body weight for 5-8 miles and are willing pack animals – to a point. An overloaded llama will just plain refuse to move. These animals often lie down on the ground, and they may spit, hiss, or even kick at their owners until the burden lessened.

Using llamas as livestock guards in North America began in the early 1980s, and some sheep producers have used llamas successfully since then. They are used most commonly where larger predators, such as the coyote, are prevalent.

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J – JULIET

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BLOGGING A TO Z CHALLENGE

Juliet

Juliet is considered a ‘special needs’ needs pup after losing one of her eyes due to infection.  Born in a Puppy Mill, Juliet, and her siblings did not receive proper medical attention – sadly, the health of mill dogs is not a priority.

The term ‘special needs’ does not mean ‘broken’ or ‘less desirable.’

There is an incredible bond created when working with these dogs.  It takes effort and patience to rehabilitate and socialize them and to gain their trust.  These dogs enter our lives as fearful, neglected and often abused.

Speaking as a pet parent to a Special needs, mill dog, I can say with all my heart:

Contributing to the transformation of a Puppy Mill Survivor, and watching their transformation is the most rewarding experience

Today Juliet is well cared for and loved very much; adored by everyone that meets her.  Unlike that of her namesake, this Juliet’s story has a happy ending.

This post is dedicated to all mill dogs and their saviors.

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B – BRAVO

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BLOGGING A TO Z CHALLENGE

Henry LOVES agility

Henry LOVES agility

How do you connect with your dog? What reward methods do you use? Does your dog respond to treats, toys, praise?

Henry and I love our agility nights – fun for us both. Henry has a blast running through tunnels and jumping obstacles. He is treat obsessed driven followed by praise and lastly, toys. Henry’s sister Reese, on the other hand, loves her toys.

Whatever their preference, one aspect of positive reinforcement training is praise and encouragement. BRAVO!

A bit late on this one, and it’s only day two of the challenge! Oops.

Please check back tomorrow for CHARLIE (I’ll have the post up early – promise).

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A – ALPHA

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BLOGGING A TO Z CHALLENGE

ALPHA

ALPHA

In the wild, dogs (and wolves) run in packs.  Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal. The alpha makes decisions – they are the boss.  Usually, the pack will have an alpha male and an alpha female. Each pack member has their role in the hierarchy; either dominant or submissive.

It is important to set boundaries and establish rules and routine for our companions. By teaching our dogs manners and socializing them, we are establishing ourselves as the leader of the pack.

To view more blogs in the challenge visit the Blogging From A to Z Challenge

Please visit us again tomorrow as we reveal ‘BRAVO.’

Thank you,

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A TO Z CHALLENGE – THEME REVEAL APRIL, 2016

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THE PHONETIC ALPHAPET

In Support of Pilots N Paws Canada

PNPC

PNPC

PAPA – NOVEMBER – PAPA – CHARLIE

Bob was my father’s beloved co-pilot – through life and in the air.  My dad would strap Bob into his seat in the gyroplane (C-FRAN) and off they took to the sky, admiring the view from above.  Bob is there still – watching over his master.

 

WHAT HAVE I DONE???

I signed up for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge!!!

For the entire month of April (except Sundays), I will post artwork based on the theme ‘The Phonetic Alphabet.’ The idea is inspired, and artwork produced in support of, Pilots N Paws Canada. I have wanted to come up with a creative way to support this organization for their annual Online Auction. The A to Z challenge was just the kick in the tail I needed.

Also, I tend to be VERY critical of myself when it comes to my artwork. I have a hard time working ‘loosely’ and as time is limited (for this project), I have decided to just ‘let go’ and see what happens.

I hope you like my creations. If so, please leave a comment. I’m going completely out of my comfort zone here so would be grateful for any words of encouragement.

Please join me on April 1st when I share A – Alpha!

These pieces will be available for sale as prints, note cards and original artwork to raise funds for PNPC.

Thank you,
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PEACE IN 10,000 HANDS – Photographic artist Stu Robertson

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WHAT IS PEACE?

Ricky-Gervais

Motivated by the belief that art has the power to challenge and inspire, New Zealand born photographic artist Stuart Robertson created this global art project.

The goal of the project is to create an inspirational collection of photographs of a single white rose, an ancient symbol of peace, in the hands of 10, 000 individuals around the world. Men, women and children from every walk of life and every culture all over the world are united by this project inspiring global peace.

10000
10,000

 

As an artist I am exploring our similarities through art and drawing on the phenomenal power of modern social networks and instant borderless communication that dissolves prejudice and makes mankind more connected than at any other time in history.

It is a huge honour to share your project, Stu. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions:

The Man behind the lens – photographs courtesy of Stu Robertson


How long have you been dreaming of creating this project and what inspired you to do so?

Creating a global art project has been a dream for a long time. I only want to be involved in things for the rest of my life that have meaning and can create change. I’m inspired by the belief that visual art can move effortlessly across boarders, break down barriers and inspire people. Peace in 10,000 Hands is the culmination of a lifetime spent in creative fields and dreaming!

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve encountered?

I feel blessed with everything that I’m thrown! There are challenges, for sure, many in fact! Funding is a challenge, but keeps it fresh and me on point. Certain situations in places like Iraq, PKK country in Turkey, Syrian border, Antarctica…. offer challenges in themselves, extreme situations politically and geographically. But all make for incredible memories and images. Electing to not take a flash, lighting or tripod is a challenge. But for me it forces my compulsion that in the moment I take a portrait of someone I am capturing an unguarded moment of humanity. I find less trappings in that moment helps facilitate this honesty in the portrait.

Out of the beautiful images created so far, which are you most emotionally connected to, and why?

I am fascinated by the psychology of personality and unguarded moments, symbolism and storytelling. So it is hard to choose an image or person when you can imagine so many moments shared. Over two thousand five hundred people to date and counting. Celebrities always humble me as they are prepared to put their face to project and endorse it. We are so blessed for the support we have had. Recently while in South Africa I photographed a Khoi woman.

They are pastoralist people and I was told that you could buy a license to hunt them.
It was chilling to hear

I photographed her with her child. Such deep love and emotion expressed in the moment. I love the tenderness and sense of peace a mother offers her child.

What has been your favourite location and what lasting impression has it left with you?

Antarctica. Hands down! Incredible. Such a sensory challenging part pf the planet. No smell. No sound. No orange, red, yellow…. Just white and more white. I flew in on an American Air Force LC130 (the L denoted when they add skis for landing gear to a C130). I stayed at Scott Base for a month and would visit the Americans base McMurdo. I visited and photographed the historic huts of Shackleton and Scott. It was a boyhood dream. 70 percent of the worlds fresh water is locked up there yet it is the direst place on the planet. I saw whales, seals and penguins and marveled at the 24 hour a day sunlight.

How crazy is your itinerary?

Crazy mad! It is go go go the whole time. My wife, Semele, and I do everything for the project. From the images, editing, producing the artworks, exhibitions, to social media and travel planning… it is full one. When away there is always so much to do on the trips too. Longest trip to date has been three months.

When did you start the project, and do you have a timeframe for completing it?
Any chance Toronto is on your list?

I started the project three years ago, I image it would take around a decade for the photography. The project will be a part of the rest of my life. With books, TV, speaking… Yes Toronto is on my list 

How has this project changed you as an individual and as an artist?

Both, yes completely. I have seen things I never would have. I now have more tolerance than I ever imagined. I see things differently. I feel things, never felt before. I am an introvert, so I am happy on stage (spent a few years on television and preformed all over the world as a pickpocket) but interpersonal and intimate social situations are difficult for me. So I have had to learn to talk to people and engage with them. That has been a huge change. My ability to capture a moment has refined and I always looking to improve my compositional skills.

In a recent interview, you commented that you have met people from all walks of life. What do you feel these individuals have in common?

Exploring the idea of our interconnectedness as the human race and our similarities in the human condition astound me. It is something that really fascinates me and is one of the core inspirations for the project. The are fundamental and intrinsic differences. But essentially when you boil it down there are more similarities in the human condition than not. I believe this runs deeper than food, warmth and shelter. It is a journey of discovery that will continue to consume my attention and the outcome of the project.

The goal of this project is to generate a global conversation for peace. During your travels, what ‘peace talks’ have you participated in or, what ideas have you learned of as a result of your work?

I have spent time with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, The Dalai Lama and the people around them. Also engaging each person I photograph on a discussion of peace and what it means to them. The two words that come through consistently are compassion and forgiveness. And that peace starts within. From you to, to your family, to your village, to your town, to your country, to your planet. It changes with you. There are too many caveats to peace. We must learn from our past, our mistakes and move on for the success not only as humans, but for the animals, oceans, plants… everything’s survival and peace rests in our hands. Same headline, same problem, different day simply means we need change.

Artist’s favourite camera and lens?

My favorite camera is the Leica S with the 70mm prime lens, truly stunning and incredible images. It is a medium format camera mainly used in studio situations. Mine travels with me everywhere!

Stuart and his team are entirely self-funded. One hundred percent of proceeds from the sale of artwork go toward the completion of this project.

Visit Peace in 10,000 hands to purchase artwork and to learn more about this incredible project and the locations of museum and gallery exhibitions being held around the world.

Additional information can be found by clicking the following hyperlinks:

60 Minutes  Watch the lead story on Stu and Peace in 10,000 Hands
The First Collection  Peace in 10,000 Hands book preview
‘The Exquisite Clarity of Standing together’ Watch Stu & Tiki Taane’s museum installation
facebook.com/PeaceIn10000Hands
instagram.com/peacein10000hands
 

Change has to start from within.

We each have the power to affect the universal collective consciousness of all living beings in the way we choose to approach and breathe through each moment, each day, a choice in the way we treat our fellow human beings.

How can you make a difference?

Please share this project to move it into the hearts and minds of the world.

PEACE- to live in a compassionate world where we never have to worry about keeping loved ones safe from evil (humans and animals – all lives matter) – Sadie

What does ‘peace’ mean to you?

 

 

 

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