Comments on: No Altered Books — No Art at All

By: claire

claire — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:24:41 +0000

i found your site while looking for assemblage artists. YOU INSPIRE ME TO GO ON LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE. i’m artist , writer and dancer. but i have stopped creating visual art because i needed to earn a living. so now, i teach creative writing in a university in asia. just this year, i was diagnosed with an unknown illness. so i decided to pursue art (something that i have long left in the margins) this year, to really live a creative life, so i won’t be saying i lost it all. life is too short. i’m greatly inspired by your work. and what you have written here made me cry. i knew there is hope. i’m still young. turning 30 this year. and you gave me that hope to pursue my life as i should be living it. thank you so much. i don’t know you but i’m grateful.

i shall dance, write and make art starting today. by the way, i created a movement piece based on one of your doll series.

you take care always. shanti.

By: Betty Benjamin

Betty Benjamin — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 04:01:23 +0000

Dear Karen

How lovely of you to boeth about us – your readers – at a time like this. Thank you for doing that, but do give yourself plenty of space at this time to “sit with your Mum”, let the grief wash over you, just have some times when you allow yourself to feel bad – that’s OK. That’s good for your healing. It’s been a very long haul for you and your family and its OK to take time for yourselves just now. I’m sending love thoughts to you through all these miles, and thank you again for taking some of this precious recious time for your fellow artists. God bless. Betty Benjamin, New Zealand.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:38:47 +0000

Karen, I went through a time where I wanted to throw all my supplies away. Doing art when “everything is falling a part” seems so trivial. We had taken into our home and family a starving baby girl born to a 14 yr. old girl while in Honduras. We were working through papers to complete her adoption, only a few months from returning to the US when the nations law changed, giving birth mothers up to age 21 to revoke adoption rights. We were forced to give her back. The mother then toyed with us for a year after returning, abandoned the baby again and said we could come get her. We had emergency papers from our US government to do so and the mother dissapeared with all documents. We had Cassie for a year- her first year. It was like a knife through the heart, but was healed by art. A painter in the past, I made my first artist book about the darkness, the grief, and finally the healing. My advice to you is to be brutally honest about the subject- you will see things differently as your soul pours forth. Allow that medicine for yourself. Not all art is bright and cheery. But for me, True art is honest. Blessings…A.

By: jill

jill — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:43:27 +0000

everything is interconnected… and the ebb and flow can fly wider than usual at these times…you live your art… it is always at work… even when you dont have the impulse during this crisis.
Another example of how little control we all have in our lives… perhaps that is why we are artists… we create our own worlds and put each element just so… a balance to count on. take care

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 03:17:02 +0000

I had a friend who worked as a hospice nurse, and she said the hardest thing for people with a dying family member was accepting that they were dying; even though they “knew” it, they were unable to integrate the idea with the rest of their ideas.

A dying person has no need for (nor taste for) food, and making them eat when they dont want to probably doesnt help much.

I think a non-instant death may be an interesting experience; one may reach new levels of understanding, of oneself and others, and their relationships. One might attain a new level of acceptance of life as it is—that’s what your mother seems to have—and acceptance that one is about to leave.

Probably the family can do as much for each other as for the person dying, in both cases, being there part of the time, talking of good times together a sharing hugs and tears. Cry when you want, let everyone cry when they want.

Best wishes to you all…......

By: Glenda

Glenda — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 16:56:59 +0000

I feel your pain. I just recently buried my Dad (95) who suffered, no that is not the word,... he endured I suffered from senile dementia. My mother has Alzheimer’s and is progressing past the moderate stage. As she gets sweeter and more child-like, he became meaner and abusive. I am not sure which is worse. Both tear at my heart. I am relieved to be away from the pain but feel guilty for feeling relief. My brother passed away from cancer three years ago so there is not a sibling to share these complicated feelings with. I believe that the stress of my brother’s death hastened the deterioration of both my parents

Lock your sights on every wink and smile. Let yourself focus on everything pleasant and happy. This is how I survive. The pain and horror of my dad’s last days is already fading as I remember the Daddy I once knew.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:36:28 +0000

I have been reading your blog and admiring your work for awhile now. I have never commented but I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Although you are the only one who can go through this specific experience, there are others who are here to listen to your story and grieve with you. I just wanted to say that I think you are so brave and if I knew you I would hold your hand through this. My prayers are with you and your family. I am not one for many words and am not very good at expressing myself. I just felt that it was important that I reach out somehow and say “Yes, we hear you”. There are many listening.

By: MESClifford

MESClifford — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 15:03:01 +0000

Karen – Your work has inspired me to create my first altered book – a tribute to my friend’s Mom. I incorporated many of your ideas into my work. I cannot wait to begin another.

I took care of my Mom when she was dying so I know that your life is fragmented and each day is so filled with a thousand things that must be done and only 24 hours to do them in.

I remember most that I prayed for miracles – and many happened. Someone was always with me when I had a crisis. My Mom’s first great grandchild was born 2 months early – and healthy – so many afternoons were spent with my Mom holding her grandchild on her chest while they both slept on the sofa. I will pray for miracles while you and your Dad care for your Mom.

Your art will only prosper from this time – work when you can – and don’t fret when you can’t. Realize your time away will bring about change in you that will magnify your art.

The children you are teaching will learn from your experiences. My daughter’s fifth grade teacher cared for her mother until she died and the children in that class learned more that year about life and death and compassion and what it means to love. Those children are blessed to have you with them each day.

Thank you for your inspiration – I will be praying for you. ME

By: Altermyworld

Altermyworld — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 21:21:27 +0000

Karen,
I read your blog and was moved so very deeply. Your grief is so profound. I know grief all too well and i can tell you the “grief” work didn’t start until years later, speaking of art that is.
Take care of yourself and the rest will follow, sending lots of peaceful vibes.
Ang

By: KR

KR — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 01:29:52 +0000

Dear Karen,

Again you are in my thoughts and heart. Wish I could give you a hug too. My Mom is trying to care for my Dad as things get harder and harder. She is trying to be brave but it’s taking a toll. I’m looking into getting them some help because I live so far away and can’t travel at this time, not that I could do anything for him either if I were there, although I have some guilty thoughts about my duty as their eldest daughter. If I could get my hands around the gruesome neck of Alzheimer’s Disease I would rip it to shreds. No one else can fill the place a loved one has had in our hearts. Praying that God will help you and your family through this difficult time. KR