Ribet, ribet… It’s Earth Day!
April 22, 2017
Inspired by Zuni carving, this design is by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
Frog sings the songs that summon the rains to our earth and cleanse and purify the soul as well as replenish harmony.
Frog Replenish Harmony Notecard
Have you ever heard a peacock’s call?
January 30, 2017
Peacock exits after Juno’s refusal. Design by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
In Greco-Roman mythology the Peacock is identified with Juno who created the Peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes symbolize the vault of heaven and the eyes of the stars.
Aesop tells of when Peacock was hanging out with the Roman goddess Juno. He petitioned her to give him the voice of a nightingale to compliment his handsome attire.
Juno refused.
Peacock persisted though: “Of all the birds, I know I am your favorite.”
To this the goddess wisely responded: “Be content with your lot; one cannot be best in everything.”
Pink elephant sighting
January 26, 2017
“Nature’s great masterpiece, an elephant the only harmless great thing, the giant of beasts.” Words from John Donne, design by Meredith Eliassen, 2017.
Paisley Elephant Notecard and Survivors’ Hub Postcard
“Twelve Days” Song
December 6, 2016
The story goes that when being a Catholic was illegal in Protestant England, children would sing this song to profess their faith: the partridge and the pear tree symbolized Jesus Christ. Design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016. NOTECARD
The twelve days in the song are the twelve days starting with Christmas Day, or on Boxing (December 26th) and ending on the Twelfth Night (January 6). The most common English-language version this song was published in a children’s book called Mirth without Mischief (1780) as a “memories-and-forfeits” game called “Twelfth Night.” The leader in this game recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, the leader added another verse, and so on until one of the players makes a mistake, with the player who erred having to pay a penalty, such as offering up a kiss or a treat. The lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas” may have served as a catechism song for young Catholics when the practice of Catholicism was criminalized in England between 1558 and 1829.
Happy Halloween!!!
October 31, 2016
“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.” Words by Thomas Merton (1915-1968), design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
Over the next few days this site will explore the Mexican Day of the Dead that emerged from the ancient pre-Columbian traditions.
Too much politics already… where is little star?
October 11, 2016
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny sparks. He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep, For you never shut your eye ‘Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star.” Poem by Jane Taylor (1783-1824), design by Meredith Eliassen, 2015.
Creative responses to turbulent times…
July 20, 2016
Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones has started a conversation on the humming motif of former British PM with a short musical fantasy developing a motif as sung by David Cameron as he entered no.10 Downing Street on 11 July 2016. This is the piece that wrote and hastily recorded between midnight and 2am on 12 July 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhyORjJ00Rk
Reverse-drawing of “Flower Child” by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
This was my response in approximately the same time frame (though not in two hours)… the artistic impulse is to create or compose harmony when there is seeming discord.
This “fantasy” imagines new growth and optimism in transformation.
Happy Independence Day!!!
June 30, 2016
For those of you taking a long weekend off… I am jealous, but fear not, I find liberty at my drawing board even if I find myself bound up in Celtic knots at the moment.
LIBERTY drawn in red Celtic letters, inspired by the “Book of Kells,” by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
TRUTH.
May 15, 2016
Inspired by a statement by Mary Baker Eddy found in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (418:20): “Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony.” Design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
For MAY10BOYS
May 10, 2016
For the men in my life with birthdays on May 10th… and you know who you are… HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wishing you joy today, and throughout the year.
JOY paisley design by Meredith Eliassen, 2016.
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