So This Is My Plan...

....make more mandalas.

No but seriously, I have decided to devote my energy this year, for the second year of my visual thesis to the ATCTE project. Not only have I felt that I have neglected it, and everyone for a year, but I really need a break from the domestic violence heaviness that I was so focused on last year. So here's what's going to happen....A COMMUNITY BONANZA!

I've been thinking of some new ideas for the project, in terms of promotion and exhibition and highlighting some of the existing artists (you guys!) as well as adding some new artists to the fold. My drive is to work with community, and it occurred to me that this is a community. You're all a part of my online community, as well as being a community of artists, and friends. I was thinking of highlighting some of you in artist interviews, but I would like your input! This is a chance for me to, in essence, work for you this year. How do you want to be seen? Where? What types of venues? What state (or country)? How can I help you, as an artist in this project? I am willing to travel, and curate this thing all over the place. Let me know! I would at least like all of the existing pieces to be included in my final thesis show, which will be in May. I will be sending you all information about that soon enough, but I am very excited for the near (and far) future!

And without further adieu, I finished my last round with the piece that Elbee started... I actually incorporated the paper that D. Garzelloni used to wrap my last package from her. So thanks D., it's now in the background of this one!

Conception to birth, plus the finished piece, Cycle 4, Round 4

Elbee to Shana R. Goetsch
Tallahassee, FL to Milwaukee, WI

  Shana R. Goetsch to Elbee

Milwaukee, WI to Tallahassee, FL

 Elbee to Shana R. Goetsch
Tallahassee, FL to Baltimore, MD

Shana R. Goetsch and Elbee

Mandala completed in Baltimore MD

woohoo!

Constructing the Universe

Finally, FINALLY I have finished the piece I worked on with Wes Way (incidentally, one of the first two mandalas in this project) Y'all. That was a tough one for me, personally. All of this outside construction that I've had to do on these things....sheesh. I wouldn't say that building is my strong suit, it takes me a lot longer than normal.

Okay, conception to birth, right here, plus the end shots are Cycle 1 Round 4:

Wes Way to Shana R. Goetsch 

Harrisonburg, VA to Milwaukee, WI

 Shana R. Goetsch to Wes Way
Milwaukee, WI to Harrisonburg, VA

Wes Way to Shana R. Goetsch

Harrisonburg, VA to Milwaukee, WI

 Shana R. Goetsch and Wes Way
Mandala completed in Baltimore, MD

Some Community Mandalas

As you may or may not know, this past year I worked as an arts facilitator, with women and children at a local domestic violence shelter. Some of the most awesome things they created were mandalas with yarn. It was such a simple thing, but creating the circles with yarn really challenged the young kids with their dexterity, and the adults seemed to enjoy making them too. In these finished pieces, I paired an adult mandala with a youth mandala. I think they turned out brilliantly....it was a joy to work with them on such a therapeutic process. *proud* These community made mandalas will hopefully be hung at the shelter some time soon.

So see? I hadn't abandoned the mandalas at all!

ACK

Okay, I have woefully left this project behind during my last year in grad school, I'll admit it. But I received a degree in that one year so I'll have to say that it was worth it.

However, we will be starting back up with a gusto very soon! I have a few mandalas to complete on my end, which have been sitting around just waiting for me for months now. AND I have a few ideas up my sleeve about what this next year of grad school will entail, art-wise. I am leaning towards a kinder, gentler "Part II" of my visual thesis....something much rounder.

See you soon with more art completed, for reals.