You can make a Difference if you don't Give Up

"Tansy's Pride"

In addition to loving books written about the Depression Era and World War II, I enjoy novels about slavery, especially from the perspective of a slave. Once immersed in the heartaches and hardships that come out of these historical time periods, you can better relate to the families that came after and those in the present day.

Everyone has a different memory of the same event. There were courageous and honest people who helped others and made their own lives count, and there were shallow people whose actions were hateful and spiteful. There were those who committed monstrous acts of violence and treachery that can only be called evil.

In the book "On to Richmond 1861-1862" The second book in the Civil War series written by Ginny Dye, the slave Rose asks her mama "How do you endure? How do I endure, Mama?" Her mother answered: "by going around every obstacle and embracing every hard time as if it were a friend carrying you to your final goal." Talk about positive attitude.

Reading opens up your world. You can gain understanding of other peoples and races. You can learn new skills. Education may expand your thinking and change the way you see your life. With knowledge comes responsibility. Your capacity to change your circumstances and conversely change the world becomes tangible. You can make a difference!

I taught myself to do many things while I raised six children. Each week we selected 10 books from the library that they could share. I also chose a few for myself. I studied writing, I read plays, I created scripts. I went on to study art in all of its forms. I experimented. I grew. I hungered to learn. I think my children caught my enthusiasm because they were full of never-ending questions.

If you're feeling trapped and think that you don't have the time or money for classes or that you'll be stuck in the same rut for the rest of your life, think again. You have it in your hands to create the life you want.

Think creatively. Reach out for help. Don't give up just because your life doesn't fit in with the pattern of others. Like the slave Rose learned from her mama, "embrace every obstacle, every hard time as if it were a friend carrying you to your final goal."

Nothing worthwhile is easy. You've probably heard that many times. It's easy to give up. You give into your fears, your imperfections, your lack of self-confidence. But you don't have to! Your state of mind determines where you go in life and how you end up. Take the reins of your thoughts and accomplish what God intended for you.

Norman Vincent Peale a famous Pastor and the author of many motivational books wrote this challenge in "Positive Thinking for Every Day of the Year:"

"Are you going to live all your life and never feel the presence of God?"

I issue a similar challenge. Are you going to live the rest of your life never feeling the exhilaration of overcoming weakness or the power that comes from self-control? Be in charge of your life. Don't succumb to indifference, laziness or fear.

The painting below is the first coat of paint on a gesso board. You can still see the white gesso show through in come places. I will show this work-in-progress over the next few weeks.

(Work in Progress)

Political Art – Does it make a Difference?

For an artist, it isn’t enough to envision, create, and wallow in paint up to your elbows. You have to read about art. Indulge your muse. Suspend your free time thumbing through art magazines to expand your knowledge. You have to scour what’s out there for knowledge and inspiration.

I’ve been doing just that by reading B.A. Shapiro’s latest novel “The Muralist.” Now I can see her in person on Tuesday, January 12 at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. Shapiro will be there in person to sign her new book and discuss its plot and characters with attendees.

"From the author of the New York Times bestseller The Art Forger comes a thrilling new novel of art, history, love, and politics that traces the life and mysterious disappearance of a brilliant young artist on the eve of World War II."

The book keeps me turning pages. Of course, it’s about a time period that has always intrigued me, and about the horrors that engulfed the entire world; but especially the Jewish people. Hitler and his minions hated, pursued, and incinerated millions of Jewish victims.


Shapiro not only covers the history well, but she knows art which makes the book that much more important on your lists of “must read.”

Many artists through the centuries have made political statements through their art, but most have avoided it as being too “in your face” or detrimental to their personal success. Some brave pioneers used art as a platform to voice their own strong feelings and to influence their audiences.

"Vik Muniz Photographer and mixed-media artist best known for repurposing everyday materials for intricate and heavily layered re-creations of canonical artworks. Muniz works in a range of media, from trash to peanut butter and jelly, the latter used to recreate Warhol’s famous Double Mona Lisa. 

"Layered appropriation is a consistent theme in Muniz’s work: in 2008, he undertook a large-scale project in Brazil, photographing trash-pickers as figures from emblematic   paintings, such as Jacques-Louis David’s “Neoclassical Death of Marat, and then recreating the photographs in large-scale arrangements of trash. The project was documented in the 2010 film Waste Land in an attempt to raise awareness for urban poverty. Muniz explained the work as a “step away from the realm of fine art,” wanting instead to “change the lives of people with the same materials they deal with every day.”

Others, like Thomas Hart Benton, passionately document history. War correspondents and artists fall into this category. This is why some people become angry when others in later generations wish to discredit or discard offensive images that were an actual part of history. Once we destroy history, we chip away at our own identities. History should stand, whether we like it or not.

Slavery is abhorrent to us now. It is a part of our history that we’re ashamed of and wish hadn't happened. But we can learn from our mistakes and vow never to make the same ones again. We can learn from the horrors of Hitler. The German people would like to bury this part of their past, but they haven’t. We and they must keep even the horrors of our past so that later generations will remember and perhaps be saved from repeating the same mistakes.

Our country seems intent on following in Europe’s footsteps. But, instead, we should learn from them:

Socialism has brought financial ruin. A flood of refugees has changed the face of many major cities across the globe.

The whole world is teetering on the brink of disaster. We would be fools to ignore what has happened and think we know best, that it can’t happen here because we’re just too damn smart.

All it takes is a few concessions here, a blind eye there, a white lie behind closed doors, and a willingness to ignore the obvious right in front of our collective noses.


If an artist or a writer can awaken us to the truth, all the better.

(Charles McNaughton, artist -- and below)

As we sow, so shall we reap to enjoy the Fruits of our Labor

When a seedling is planted, it sends its roots deep into the soil not only for nourishment and moisture, but for strength. The hidden roothold acts as an anchor to secure the young plant as it sends new shoots skyward. Without roots, a tree would topple. The rootage underground is usually as wide as the upper foliage.

During violent storms, a tree may still fall if its strength is surface deep either from too much above ground watering, or from layers of sand, clay or rock below.

How deep do your roots go? Are they scrawny and weak from too much surface ease and lack of effort? Have you nourished your foundation with study, practice and knowledge or did you skim over the top and hope for the best? True success is a result of how strong and how deep your convictions and passions go.

The same is true of faith. Weak faith (hope) is easily toppled by the storms of life. Lack of knowledge is usually “found out” under duress. Plagiarism can fool others once or twice; but if you’re caught, your career is usually over.

Alex Haley wrote a wonderful book called “Roots” that resonated with the American people and still does today. But many scholars, including black researchers and learned professionals believe it was more a book of fiction than of truth, and that Haley sought to change the historical accuracy about slavery.

The practice of slavery goes way back to ancient times. Both blacks and whites were once slaves in many cultures and countries. The African Continent enslaved other blacks that had different tribal connections and sold them into slavery. The owners were both white and black.

(Whether it's true about Haley or not, I was enchanted
by the book and television series!)

Haley’s book was moving and entertaining, but it does not pass the sniff test where history is concerned. The fury and the passion that surrounded the books and plays that Haley’s work inspired is beginning to fade.

Roots that go deep and are anchored in truth outlast the test of time. They withstand hearsay, tribulation, scoffing and popular opinion. Their branches go deep and keep the underpinnings from wavering. Character becomes resolute and authenticity an unchanging reality. Confidence increases. Gifts are mastered and used in positive ways. True success is a natural outgrowth and never becomes top heavy or ego inflated. 

Like a tree that is solid and grounded, there is balance and equanimity. People flock to it for shelter and protection. They bask in its beauty and serenity; this my friends is the maturity of the true artist. They do not need to flaunt their achievements. Their accomplishments speak for themselves. First they reap, and then they sow; and the fruits of their labor testify of their success.

"A Joyful Heart" 11 x 14 pastel drawing; Prints available @ http://carol-allen-anfinsen.artistwebsites.com