Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio

Nurturing creativity with art, animals, and science fiction

Month: December 2017 Page 1 of 3

Creative healing

By

On December 31, 2017

In Creative Life, Cultural Diversity, Holidays, Social Justice

The sixth day of Kwanzaa

This one is especially near to my heart: the principle of Kuumba, creativity! The only way to build a vibrant community is through the creative devotion of the people within it.

Just as the arts can help revive a dying neighborhood, so can the application of creative energy build positive bridges of hope, where before there were only walls of separation. Our whole country desperately needs this kind of creative healing.

What better, more hopeful task can we set ourselves upon than that, this New Year’s Eve?

 

 

 

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn’s SlideShare, for the nicely designed symbol image and “seven principles” slide, to the Pinterest board of Students at the Center Hub for the Mae C. Jemison quote, and to SororitySugar’s Tumblr (tagged Gamma-Sigma-Sigma) via Pinterest, for the Mitch Albom quote.

Empowerment

By

On December 30, 2017

In Creative Life, Cultural Diversity, Holidays, Social Justice, USA Patriotism

The fifth day of Kwanzaa

Here in the United States today, we continue to re-fight battles that should long ago have been won, while a hundred small and large disadvantages assail African-Americans at every encounter, continually.

All Americans stand to gain, if only we can keep working together for the goal of realizing the dream of true equality. It is only when all of us are empowered to reach our full potential that we will truly reach greatness.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn’s SlideShare, for the nicely designed symbol image and “seven principles” slide, to Kathryn Drumright Sr’s Pinterest board for the Harriet Tubman quote, and to Goalcast, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. quote.

Investing wisely

By

On December 29, 2017

In Creative Life, Cultural Diversity, Holidays

Fourth day of Kwanzaa

Part of working together to support our community is working within the community. Support local institutions, locally-owned small businesses, locally-based arts and community initiatives. If we want a strong, vibrant community, we must invest in it!

 

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn’s SlideShare, for the nicely designed symbol image and “seven principles” slide, to MyThirtyOne via Pinterest, for the “support a dream” quote, and to ThreeOwlPolyLove on Pinterest, for the Mother Teresa quote.

Working together

By

On December 28, 2017

In Creative Life, Cultural Diversity, Holidays

Third Day of Kwanzaa

Once we’re strong within ourselves, it’s time to work together for the good of our community and each other. Oh, how our nation and our world needs more of this value!

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn’s SlideShare, for the nicely designed symbol image and “seven principles” slide, and to BrainyQuote, for both the Sam Walton quote and the one from Bob Dylan.

Self-determination

By

On December 27, 2017

In Creative Life, Cultural Diversity, Holidays

Second Day of Kwanzaa

“To be responsible for ourselves and create our own destiny.” It’s a worthy goal for us all.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn’s SlideShare, for the nicely designed symbol image and “seven principles” slide, to “Quotations I like” for the Carl Jung quote, and to QuoteFancy for the Epicurus quote. 

Recovery, Happy first-day-of-Kwanzaa, and don’t forget Boxing Day!

By

On December 26, 2017

In Cultural Diversity, Holidays, USA Patriotism

And just like that, it’s over. Except for the digging out . . . and except that for some of us, it’s NOT over.

Happy Kwanzaa!

If you celebrate Kwanzaa, of course, the holiday has only just begun! Today is the day to especially celebrate Umoja, or Unity–something we all could use a good deal more of, in my home country of the United States.

At the basis of unity is shared respect and–yes–love.

And Boxing Day!

Don’t forget today is ALSO Boxing Day in much of the English-speaking world! This year, more than ever, it might be a great moment to consider a large, charitable donation.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Brian Gordon and his Fowl Language cartoons, for today’s grin, to Jeffrey St. Clair via LinkedIn and SlideShare for the beautiful Umoja Unity design, and to the Tumblr of Adam Hernandez AKA “Slim Baby!” (via Pinterest), with thanks to TinEye Reverse Image Search, for the Cornel West quote and image.

But a Merry Christmas I wish you, anyway!

By

On December 25, 2017

In Art, Creative Life, Holidays, Science Fiction

A little science fictional glee seems appropriate right now . . .

IMAGE: Many thanks to Buzzfeed, via Shoebox Greetings, and I’m pretty sure cartoonist “Brian” is my Westwood, KS semi-neighbor Brian Gordon, of the ever-wonderful Fowl Language cartoons about parenting. Of course, I NE-E-E-E-EVER feature his cartoons on my blog . . . 🙂

Better watch out!

By

On December 24, 2017

In Animals, Holidays

It’s Christmas Eve. Did you remember Santa? (They hope so!)

IMAGE: Many thanks to FunnyPicture for this image!

Aren’t we there yet? Oh, yeah! Happy Festivus!

By

On December 23, 2017

In Creative Life, Holidays

Happy Festivus!

Yes–this is it! The day has arrived! Have you set up your Festivus Pole? Have you aired a few grievances? Have you eaten your meatloaf and M&Ms-studded cake? Then you’re celebrating in Festivus style!

For those of us who celebrate Christmas, however, we’re still counting down the days. For some of us, a little wine helps . . .

IMAGES: Many thanks to Teenormous, for the Seinfeld-inspired Festivus T-shirt design, and to Country Living and cartoonist Scott Metzger for the pre-Christmas grin.

It’s all about proportions

By

On December 22, 2017

In Animals, Artdog Image of Interest, Creative Life, Holidays

The Artdog Image of Interest

Yeah, that’s a pretty generous garnish. I’ve heard of lemon water, citrus water, cucumber water, and mint water, but who knew pine water was a thing?

IMAGE: Many thanks to Funny Pictures Christmas Cats, via Pinterest, for this image!

Page 1 of 3

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén