Janet McKenzie

Holiness and the Feminine Spirit-The Art of Janet McKenzie

2009-11-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Holiness and the Feminine Spirit - The Art of Janet McKenzie was just published and released by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY. It features 28 paintings with reflections written by 28 writers and theologians, all women, and they are an incredible group, the caliber is so high. I am humbled each agreed to join forces with my art. For an artist the reproduction of one's art is everything..it is just crucial to have this work, which means so much, reproduced correctly, and the publisher stepped up and did it right. Letting go of our group fear that the boat from Milan would sink, taking down all 6000 copies (this actually happened once), it arrived in NJ safely last week. Over the years many people have contacted me asking if a book on my art existed, and one did not, until now. Since receiving an advance copy I find myself reading it like anyone else. The reflections are so interesting, yes it is about my art but each writer was given total freedom and they head in whatever direction their hearts take them. Their words are strong and tough, loving and tender and the connection comes back to holiness, the inherent holiness found in the feminine spirit. I admit I am not a good blogger, but will try to post info on upcoming book signings..info on ordering can be found at www.janetmckenzie.com

The decision...

2008-12-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

Building Community: The Evolving Face of Vermont. This will be my proposal.

Some needed energy seemed to be going into thinking about sharing this, or, not, and I'd like to apply that energy to the more important work of explaining my proposal in words and the continued development of studies.

I think anyone who might know what I do as an artist will not be surprised at my proposal idea. It is not a big secret that my passion comes from us,as humans in community, here in Vermont and beyond ... and I believe in this as worthwhile and a good match regarding my interests and AOA.

Curtis' blog about the decision to focus on bridges really made me know it was time to move out and onto another level.

Wandering around in the woods...

2008-12-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

..some of us need a gentle push, a little loving encouragement to do what we need to, in this case - blog, you know, to join the club. Someone gave me the nicest of baby shoves yesterday (not saying who though!). Resistance to this is symbolic to my mind, of a similar kind of resistance to applying for commissions, grants and organizing oneself regarding proposals. I am coming around to viewing stepping outside myself, and my comfort zone (and this includes blogging), as a gift - but it is not easy. I want to remain in that abstract place within my mind that singularly dances around with ideas - while the light comes and goes, day after day. One thing I am learning, however, is that moving past this familiar place and out and into the hard light of clarity - improves me, and as a result my work. And by improve, I mean I am better in ways that far transcend any specific proposal. Time and again, I have ultimately been enriched by the experience of submitting my work - regardless of the success of the proposal. I come to see my work and future direction in new ways, something the fog of remaining cloistered denies. I am reminded to stay on the bigger path instead of wandering around the darkening woods watching the paths get smaller and smaller... Yesterday in Montpelier some of us experienced the Americans for the Arts - Public Art 101. They reminded those connected around the country of the traditional and familiar details of applying for Public Art grants and commissions, for example - materials need to be stable with respect to weather, artists need patience and acceptance to the idea of change (via others), etc.. The essence of what was shared however, was deeper and more important, and something I know that I cannot hear enough - give the very best of who you are, celebrate the artist that you uniquely are, and maintain the integrity of your work at all costs - because that is just where your greatest strengths exist. My mother used to tell me this, "To thine own self be true". This was the point yesterday and it is something I come back to time and again, whether standing in front of my easel or reworking my proposal ideas into understandable form.