as activistAR

TIST

About the Editor

Joi M. Sears

@4freepeopleartist/activist

Table of Contents

interior design....... p 9

Amsterdamphoto essay....... p 11

the message in the mandalataught by Pamella Allen....... p 23

Ghanaphoto essay....... p 37

Mandala

The pattern of creation

The word “mandala” is from the classical Indian language of

Sanskrit. Loosely translated to mean “circle”, a mandala

is far more than a simple shape. It represents wholeness, and can be seen as a model for the organizational

structure of life itself - a cosmic diagram that reminds us of

our relation to the infinite, the word that extends both beyond and within our our bodies and minds.

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the message in the mandalavisual arts workshop

teaching artist:

pamella allen

photography by:

Kely Nascimento-DeLuca

artwork by:pamella allen

My art is a kind of hieroglyphic; it is a story told through the free handed

motion of my memory to make images that live and speak directly to the soul...

After the sudden death of my mother (when I was three years old)

I found a way to communicate with her and with my confusion by making art.

At an early age, I attempted to create an intangible memory into

a tangible image with pencils and paint.

I created these paintings and works on paper entitled "The Journey" from memory,

driven by the desire to share and express a moment

because each moment is truly memorable.

It's all about The Journey

On all roads walked in both joy and tears ; in passion and compassion.

In my works the word and the image have no separation they are lines marked onto paper and canvas in an effort to

reflect what I have seen of this life.

My works explore the motion of form, the written word, color, and texture.

They are an attempt at expressing emotion ; at communication.

They are prayers and implorations; they are observations on humanity and our interactions with one another in all of our

landscapes.

Because my works reflect all that I have seen of this life, at times, like life, they are violent but they are created in the light

of truth so

a powerful peace runs through them all.

My paintings and works on paper investigate the place of memory and emotion;

they are inspired by our earthly/spiritual human condition

and the recurring theme of life-death-life.

It's all about The Journey

These heiroglyphics speak in the language of the archetype,

the dogma of the modern world and the natural mystic.

Through my eyes these works speak to my experiences on The Journey

with the souls whose paths I have been blessed to cross

on my 25 years of travels over land and sea.

For the people of Malawi, Kenya, Portugal, London, North America, Fiscardo,

Costa Rica, Belgium, India, Spain, France, the North Atlantic Ocean, The Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, the Caribbean ,

The Pacific, Greece, Zambia, Amsterdam, Hydra, Italy, Mexico, Jamaica, Tanzania, Antigua.

THANK YOU

For marking the path on The Journey with such a Bright and Vivid Light.

P

artwork by:jessica valoris

“This workshop gave me the time to just work in a calm, supportive, and nurturing environment/space. It gave me the space that I needed to explore and express my

own process.

We need more time.. more workshops.”

Electric Riversby Joy Marie Conway

The Divine Feminine is all around us. She is earth, creation, flow, potential, chaos, mother. And even though she’s been forgotten, disrespected and counted as second class to the father, she will not, cannot, neglect her children. Electric Rivers is a celebration of all things woman. It is a praise piece to her/our power. While creating this mandala I thought a lot about the womb and sacred space of a woman, and the rivers of blood that flow from us each moon cycle. As in nature so it is with us that the phases determine the tide. And our electric magnetic pull draws all energy within.

Luna and her beloved Sol Speaks Beliefs

let us travel back for this taleto a time of continuous dark-hued skiesilluminated by countless dots of ivory flamelove lives hereshared by Sol and his dearest Lunapassionate is their existenceshe delights in his strengthand he adores her tender touchevery occasion, occupied by elationwithout pause is their joy during one brief moment sharedthey lay together gazing at small ivory lightsSol glances at she who enjoys their lightenchanted by her peacehe begins to wonder and ponder“if i possess this flame,her love will forever be mine” another soul resides in this place, consumed by hatethe trickster Comētēs, jealous and enviousunhappy is the sister of Lunanemesis of their love, their blissaggravated by every union of their lipslove’s demise, her only wish during later occasion shared by lovers, Luna proclaims“an exchange! a giving of giftsto celebrate our love, our bliss”suggestion to her beloved Sol“an expression of our affection!” he respondswith lasting embrace, she reflects his joy, and he, her jubilationdeparting, with plans to reunite, and give excitement of Sol soon turns to uncertainty and worry“i know not what to give my love…”hearing this, Comētēs approaches her nemesis“my darling brother, you know what she desires,look above to remember this”gazing into dotted sky he shouts, “ah yes! the flame, the fire!but such a thing is beyond my reach”

Comētēs then declares, “not for me, i will take you to light you seek”

 

plans unfold for divisive wish of nemesisthey approach an ivory light, the flame now blinding

warmth becomes heat, and Comētēs speaks“dance on fire to become the flame,

and eternal love, you will gain”without hesitation, Sol’s movement on light, ignites

he is now her gift of ivory flame“take me back to my dearest Luna,this gift will grant me Love eternal!”

Comētēs must mask her joy and amusement

they return to the place they once departedwith no knowledge of the plan Comētēs devised

Luna approaches with gift of white cumulusSol, also approaching, proud of his ivory fire

“I have become what you most desire,I am now flame, embrace my light”

as bodies move closer, Luna’s joy turns to fright“My love, your strength was once my delight

but now, you are powerful and potent flame,wait… my love, i am tender

and as i approach, your fire…oh…”she faints, Sol’s bright flame unbearable

horrified, he takes steps in reverse, aware of his curse…Luna awakens

tears, falling from face, received by cumuluscloud becomes heavy, a load she can no longer carry

she releases her lover’s gift

Comētēs no longer masks her pleasure“Finally, you will no longer be together!”

lovers’ elation is now desolation and despairthe end of their physical love affair

Sol, enraged, sets flame to maneof she that causes love’s great pain

and hurls her into the dark hue, never to return again

tragic, this love affairhis gift, with intent to please her spirit

the disastrous source, the end, to long embracesnow spirits reside in separate spaces

he dwells in days, and she lives in nightsyet, connection they will share eternally

for when Sol sets, to protect his delicate Lunashe reflects his light…

© Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved.

Josephina

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africa

A Photo Essay.

Humjibre, Ghana

Photography By:

Joi M. Sears