August 20, 2007, 7:30pm |
| preview screening |
"The 11th Hour", documentary by Leonardo DiCaprio
Gateway Theater, Sunrise Cinema
Fort Lauderdale
SusieQ's presentation:
"My Environmental Artwork
and "The 11th Hour""
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Thank you Cynthia [Segal] for such a lovely introduction.
I wish to also thank Sunrise Cinema and Allied Advertising, representing Warner Independent Films for making this screening available and inviting me to speak. I was asked to share thoughts on my environmental artwork and global climate harmony.
You may wonder why I do not call it global warming... I choose to state my vision from a positive perspective, focusing on the goal... which is to have the globe, mother earth, be in climate harmony. We do like it hot sometimes, and I imagine that many of you live in this South Florida area because you like the warm, semi-tropical climate. We like it cool too! and appreciate the winter months.
As there needs to be variety and harmony in our lives, so it is with the planet. It’s up to us, the humans on this small, sparkling, blue gem of a planet to get it right. It is the 11th hour.
You may have noticed some artwork in the lobby of the theater... this is my work, representing a selection of pieces I have painted over the last year and a half.
During the first few months into this series it became obvious to me that I was expressing a deep connection to this blue planet. My pallet is predominately blues and greens, much like the earth when viewed from space. The shapes and patterns remind me of sea creatures and seaweed. As I paint, I am aware of that subliminal thought process -- that very powerful part of us.
Absolutely, we are creators, it’s the way we’re built.
It confirms for me my belief that it’s possible for us to work through this global issue, to rise to the occasion, and as DiCaprio says... "turn mankind’s darkest hour into its finest."
| I’ve created some special posters to Honor DiCaprio’s film. The poster showcases this painting to my right called "Live Earth". A limited quantity are available in the lobby.
20% of proceeds from the sale of this poster will go to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation -- which places particular emphasis on the issues of global warming, alternative and renewable energy sources, and the preservation of our planet’s amazing bio-diversity.
Painting is a universal language, much like math, dance & music - it transcends political boundaries, it transcends language barriers. I so enjoy the experience of creating images that express our positive and powerful energy. The quality of humanness that is joy. I dance with the paintbrushes and the colors.... oh yeah, if ever you attend any of the events during which I paint, you just may catch me doing the cha-cha!
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The first large set in this series of quantum impressionistic paintings is called "Thoughts are Things".
I know I create my own reality; these pieces represent that consciousness. Within a day or so of creating those pieces I magically received a link to the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" with Al Gore. As I gazed at the composite image of the smokestacks and the swirling hurricane I saw the similarity between that and my paintings "Thoughts are Things". I got it. I really got it.
Thus, my focus shifted for both the Annual Expo of Heart and Natural Awakenings magazine, Fort Lauderdale to firmly incorporate both personal and planetary wellness.
July, a year ago my 94 year old father and mentor passed. He was an avid naturalist, and infused in me a love of nature teaching me early on the names of all the local plants and animals. During his last twenty years he gave guided tours on a flatboat called Susie Q through the mangroves. In honor of my father I created the piece "The Beloved Everglades" It’s a painting that speaks in whispers of my love for both my father and the magnificent sea of grass. My landscapes are to remind us of our relationship to our mother earth, and to do the right thing.
The painting of the "Black Eyed Susan" came from a visit to Hummingbird Ranch, in the foothills of New Mexico... a sustainable community. I see the cosmos in a drop of water, a grain of sand, and a single thought, a single flower.
The paintings I create as an environmental event artist are more abstract in nature, but still carry the flavor of my style. "Live Earth" is an event painting, capturing the positive feelings and theme of the event. I chose to depict the earth moving through space... to express the diversity of the planet without political lines and without land and water lines. My painting called Live earth spins as an organic spherical shape, one system effecting all - the air, water, fire and earth inter-connecting in concert.
There are a growing number of individuals such as yourselves that are waking up to the fact that we do have the responsibility to effect change in how we live our lives. It is the 11th hour. And I’m excited to have received the wake up call. We are now actively creating an amazing new and better future.
It is with an open heart that I create and follow my passion for my artwork. I express my joy in the moment and the hope for the future, I paint my symphony of loving and empowering thoughts in each stroke. I infuse my positive energies in all that I do. I love you life. My paintings are a symbol of the green environmental movement; a single voice of this important moment in time.
You have your work too. I honor that; I support you to speak your truth; to find your way to be one with your gift. We each have our own special talents, it is important, no, it is imperative you express that gift for the greater good.
As the owner and publisher of the Fort Lauderdale edition of Natural Awakenings magazine I take responsibility to be a positive message for personal and planetary health. Our October issue focuses on Living Green. And to support your efforts, Natural Awakenings is now offering free calendar advertising for green events. And in addition 20% off October display advertising for all green-related businesses. You may refer to the post card you received for details.
In closing, my artwork is to raise awareness about our own carbon footprint, to make us feel great about who we are, and to empower us to make positive choices. These Choices are for yourselves, your neighbors and your planet -- we are not as separate as it may seem. I encourage you to follow your own unique path toward wellness and wholeness. And as my friend and author Carol Aubrey says "You are essential, and the World is waiting". Plan on it.
Thank you very much for your attention, you’ve been great audience.
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