guerilla art

Refilled

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

0501171259This jar was full at the start of the weekend before last…the last weekend of Sherwood Forest Fair in Texas.  I shared them all.

Some cards scattered on pathways and such…

Other cards sent on to distant places with folks travelling on to other Renaissance festivals and the like.

I had begun to lose interest in the making and sharing of the cards over the last few months.  It seemed like such a lot of work with little reward or knowledge of whether the task was of importance or not.

But that weekend – as I happened to glimpse a few of the cards being discovered…

a card left for someone in pain who rejected it when it was handed to him…only to pick it up, read it, and place it in his pocket…

someone walking along the path, stepping over the card, taking a few steps, and then stopping and returning to pick it up…

having someone ask for cards to share after finding out that I made them…

And most importantly, the finding of a hand-stitched heart with the note, “You are beautiful”, that I found on my way into the kitchen on Sunday morning.  Someone else at fair is playing the “found art” game!  I kept it in my pocket for a while and then re-shared it.

…little moments of joy that renewed my interest.

As I’ve rested with a cold this week, I’ve worked at refilling the jar.

0501171302And two new cards have joined the collection.

0501171303

Art does matter.

Kindness does matter.

It is important to be reminded of that every once in a while.

The things we do, no matter how small, can make a difference.

May you find art and kindness as you journey today…

 

 

 

Hello out there…

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

Greetings faithful “followers” and a big thank you for sharing a smidgeon of my life as an artist…

I have lots and lots and lots of the Langston Hughes art card made and would like to get them out into the world.

If you are so inclined, I would be excited to mail some to you for you to drop around your neighborhood.  No big commitment, no exceedingly high expectations, not another stressful task for your already too-busy life…

…just trust me with you address and I’ll send you an envelope (you will need to check your mail, but you’re probably already doing that).  Then, just drop the cards wherever you are normally going…the store, work, on the sidewalk as you are walking….wherever.

No stress, no hassle…just fun!

Feel free to contact me here and we’ll work out the details.

Peace, love and creativity!

California

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

Lots and lots of “There is always something to be thankful for” cards went out before the holiday – mostly in and around displays for commonly purchased Thanksgiving items.  How many?  No clue and it is still bugging me not to count them.   I haven’t given in, but I’ve really wanted to.  Trying to remember to keep the focus on the cards and not me.

Lots of bird cards are on their way to California shortly via a new found accomplice.  He is carrying them in his magical Mary Poppin’s backpack as he makes his way to the west coast.  We shall see if anyone finds them and shares their discovery.

Thankfulness

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

A new card is going out into the world for November.  No picture today because I’ve managed to lock myself out of my email account and I’m just not in the mood to deal with customer service reps, the computer or much of anything else.

I’m in the mood to snuggle on the couch with my youngest daughter while watching a British mystery and making more cards.

So, the new card is in honor of Thanksgiving and says:  “There is always something to be thankful for.”

I chose this for the new card because the saying has served me well in the last few weeks.  I don’t know where I first heard it, but many, many times it has resonated in my head.

When we had car trouble (repeatedly) and were struggling to get everyone in the family where they needed to be, when they needed to be there – I was thankful that the trouble was repairable, that we had a car to fix in the first place and had most of the resources we needed to solve the problem.

And when most of my chicken flock was killed in a raccoon attack, I was thankful that two survived so we will still have fresh eggs.

I could go on, but you get the idea.  When circumstances aren’t going my way and when life isn’t the way I wish it would be, it’s helpful for me to consider that there is always something to be thankful for.  It’s a choice I’m trying to make a habit of.  The choice to look on the bright side and to live in gratitude.

These cards are going out in the Austin, TX area and around the Texas Renaissance Festival thanks to a new friend who is helping share the cards.

Snails?

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

So, the surprise/gift/hand-made “thing” is happening.  I’ve figured out what I’m making and have all the stuff I need.  I’ve had some folks sign up and am prepared if a sudden stampede of excited readers throw their name and address into the fray.

Just one little detail left to work out – I’m not a big fan of snails so the term “snail-mail” doesn’t really work for me.  And I feel like I need a catchy name for this little endeavor.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here is a re-cap.  I’ve been inspired by Mary at Uncustomary Art to offer a modest hand-made gift to be sent out to you in the regular mail service.  All you’ve got to do is email me your actual address so I can send it to you.  This is a free, no-strings offer because I like to make stuff  and I’m on a de-cluttering binge so I can’t keep everything I make.  Plus, I like to give gifts, so this seems like a win-win situation.

Anyway, back to the name…   Since unearthed art is the name and idea behind this blog, I might stick with that.  We’ll have to see what I come up with.  I know you’ll be waiting in breathless anticipation for the outcome.

Please let me know if you’d like a little bit o’ art.  Deadline to let me know is Wednesday, July 15th.

A New Idea

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

I’d like to share a link to the site of one of my favorite people who I’ve never actually met.  She’s an inspiration to me in the way she shares her sparkle, art, and enjoyment of (and struggles with) life.  She’s got a new project started:

Uncustomary-Art-Snail-Mailing-Listhttp://uncustomary.org/uncustomary-snail-mailing-list/

I messaged her and told her that I was blatantly stealing her idea.  (She said it was okay).  I’m in love with the idea of sending out real mail filled with art and fun.  I’m in the early planning stages which really just means I’ve got the idea and no actual plan at all, but it’s been a rough week or so in the world and I’m ready for something good to happen.

If you’re interested in getting on the mailing list for this art project which is as yet unnamed, you may email me your address here:  faithacre@yahoo.com

I realize that there is a bit of trust involved in sharing your address.  It’s just me at a computer in my little house.  I won’t share your address or do anything else weird with it.  I’ll just send you something nice in the mail.  I promise.

International is okay, too.  Like I said, I haven’t worked out all the details…like how I’m going to pay for it.   BUT, I believe that love, art, and nice will always find a way.  I’m just naïve that way.

I hope your day is filled with something truly awesome!

Peace.

Enough

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

IMAG0769New cards are ready.  I’m not a big fan of them, but it’s been a tough week and I’m not in the brightest of spirits.

I’m just going to read the damn card and try to believe it myself.

I am enough.  The card is enough.

I’m older and wise enough to know that this mood will pass (as will the rain) and the sunshine will come out again soon.

Blessings on your day.

Lots of Possibilities!

| Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

Have I mentioned that I love making stuff…and sometimes art.  Of course, you can’t put two artists in a room without the inevitable discussion about “what is art?”  So, sometimes I make stuff, sometimes I make art.  It doesn’t really matter to me what you call it.  I just love the creative process.

And my new passion is sharing what I’ve made.  This art card project started out simply enough, but now I am a full-blown addict.  It’s fun to get comments (and affirmation), but I think I’d keep doing even if nobody ever commented again.

The money part of it can be challenging.  Supplies cost money and even when I’m careful and resourceful, sometimes I run out of what I need.

That’s why I’m excited today.  I’ve been sorting through boxes and boxes and boxes of stored files from our small business that is now really small.  We aren’t actively involved in the day to day of it anymore, but the paperwork has been stored here.  While sorting and shredding and hauling to the recycling facility, I ended up with this stack of manila file folders.IMAG0669

As I was throwing them into a box to recycle, I notice the weight of the paper.  Idea!

I cut them into sheets.IMAG0672

And now into these:IMAG0688

A huge supply of art cards.  Months worth.  Enough to keep me busy for quite a while.

Lots of possibilities!