The "Pease Greeters" dedicate the giclee, 

"A Prayer for a Soldier"

at the Pease International Airport

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

I have to tell you about the "Pease Greeters."  They are a dedicated group of volunteers who go daily to the airport to greet and shower with kindness and gratitude US military personnel.

(I have been told that they have greeted up to three returning transports in one day.)

This group of 250+ tireless people meet returning servicemen and women who are leaving for active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who are returning.  

Even when an airplane lands in the middle of the night, at least 75 dedicated greeters show up!  There are even greeters who drive in from 100 miles away, just to be a support and encouragement for these soldiers in transit-what dedication!

The Pease Greeters wave American flags, shake hands, give hugs, express appreciation and just plain "love all over" these selfless warriors and heroes of our country.  They also offer refreshments to the troops, as Pease International is their last stop on American soil or their first stop, as they return home from fighting the War on Terror.  

The lady pictured in the photo above in a pale yellow shirt is Tenley Westbrook, she sings the "American Anthem" and her own composition, "Our Freedom Song."  (Visit this talented lady's website at Tenley@Tenleywestbrook.com)

The other beautiful woman to the right of Tenley is our family's dear friend and honorary "Grammy," Lois Fonda (she is who our 8 year old daughter Fonda is named for.)  To the right of Lois is Jerry McConnell a WWII Veteran of the Marine Corps.  To the far left is Ed Johnson, a Silver Star recipient of the Korean Conflict, also a former Marine.  Ed is the Chairman of the Pease Greeters.  Of course all around and holding the framed print are brave young men 

who are serving our country in amazingly courageous ways.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, all you Valiant Warriors!

To find out more about the Pease Greeters, visit their website:  WWW.peasegreeters.org

To see "A Soldier's Prayer" or to read the poetry see one of my earlier blogs from this year.

May God continue to have mercy upon us and may God bless America!

-Launa

WWW.Poetryart.net

WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org

I got to do a fun thing today...

I was interviewed at the local National Public Radio station for 

"Lenny's Place with Lenny Lambert"  

It is always fun and challenging to talk about Poetry Art over the radio 

because it is an audio medium 

and my art is SO VISUAL!  For all the northern Arizona listeners, this interview is going to be broadcast this Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. on KJZA 89.5 fm (in partnership with KJazz Phoenix) 

Give it a listen, if you can!

-Launa

Nice article in today's paper:

Prescott Valley Tribune

Poetry Art: Prescott Valley woman's words make up the picture

http://www.pvtrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&subsectionID=404&articleID=50280

+ click to enlarge Launa Stan reads her poem that makes up a replica of the U.S. flag. She presented the print to the student council at Glassford Hill Middle School where she presented her story and artwork earlier this year. Trib Photo/Sue Tone

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Calling her poetry the "soul of her work," Launa Stan wraps her words into intricate pieces of artwork that look like paintings from afar, but need a close-up look to see that words and only words are what make up the figures and landscapes.

Stan brought her paintings and her story to Glassford Hill Middle School this past month where students listened to her presentation, then filed past the stage to intently examine the lettering that makes up the tiniest strand of hair and the larger shadow areas of the pictures.

Stan said she knew from the moment she picked up a crayon as a child that she wanted to create art. What made her early life difficult were the feelings of insignificance that she carried into adulthood.

Stan's father had convinced her as a 5-year-old child, when her parents divorced, that she had no value. 

"If you have supportive, loving parents, you are blessed," she said to the middle-school students.

Stan spent many days and nights with her grandmother, who surrounded the girl with storybooks at night after tucking her into bed. She learned to read herself to sleep.

By the time Stan reached middle school, she was writing stories and poetry in notebooks, and collected "special words" that she wrote in her Word Books. When the library in her small town closed and its books were headed to the dump, Stan's mother brought them all home in boxes.

"They made a 12-foot high mountain of books. It was beyond exciting - I thought I'd died and gone to heaven," the artist said.

In her junior year, a history teacher had the class write a 3-5 page paper based on a small photograph of a man peering out between bars in communist Russia. Stan wrote about a poor, hungry girl who stole some bread, got caught and went to jail. It was 15 pages long and she found she loved the experience of creating the character and story. 

The teacher said she had a gift for writing, and made copies of the story for everyone in the class. 

"Never before had a teacher ever encouraged me or said I was good at something," Stan said.

Coincidentally, years later she received an invitation to speak at a juvenile detention center in Russia, where a 15-year-old girl stood up and told her story - it was identical to the story Stan had written as a teen.

The Prescott Valley artist sells much of her original work and prints to benefit children and families through an organization she co-founded with her husband called Global Impact (www.globalimpactworldrelief.org). The organization aids those who have experienced trauma from war, famine, extreme poverty, disease and natural disasters. 

Through the organization, the couple has helped people in Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, and those in foreign countries including Kosovo, Turkey, Ethiopia, Zambia, India and Afghanistan.

GHMS student council members accepted one of Stan's prints called Red, White and Blue, on behalf of the school. Students said they found Stan's story and her artwork amazing. Language arts teachers later assigned students a similar project using poetry and art.

Something special for summer reading...

Here's a good read, whether you are sitting by the pool, fishing by a lake, laying on the couch or flying to some tropical destination for vacation. It's called "Prayer and all that Jazz."  by Karen Cameron-Brook.  She's a fabulous, world class singer and it is her chronicle of a life of faith and song. (As you can see, this photo is of my copy, which is dog eared from

reading.) 

Check it out on her website: WWW.Karencameron.com

What's this book have to do with Poetry Art, you might be asking yourself?  Plenty.  

Check out chapter 35, "A Picture Paints A Thousand Words."  This chapter is about Poetry Art. Karen also recalls our first meeting in Boston, some years ago and about our second "chance" encounter, (actually a Divine Appointment) in Yetebon, Ethiopia. OH, and if you are in New England and need an first class jazz band with a gutsy, spirited, gorgeous and extremely talented singer, contact her too...and tell her I sent you!

-Launa

 

Art that Heals the Heart

As so many of you know, who have followed my work for any length of time, I do Poetry Art in order to have the freedom and platform to do international outreach programs.  For almost two decades, I have had the privilege to be involved with countless relief projects and emergency aid.  Since 1999, my husband Marty and I have done Global Impact, a non-profit organization that we founded to give us the opportunity to do more.  (See Global Impact on my website WWW.Poetryart.net or go to Globalimpactworldrelief.org.)   

On my blog this week, I wanted to highlight a new project that we have begun with our partner in India.  It is a micro-enterprise for ladies to manufacture clothing to sell.  (I used to be a clothing designer in LA, so this is especially exciting to me!)

This new business will provide income for these women, as well as to help bring more support for the children's home that we have been involved with for many years in New Mumbai.  See our blog at:  impacttheglobe.blogspot.com to find out more info and also read about the block making enterprise in Zambia to raise money for the AIDS orphan feeding that we have been sponsoring for a number of years.

Have a great day!

-Launa

Exhibition of Poetry Art

"Through the Artist's Eye"

 May-June 2009

The Clay County Health & Wellness Center

57 Floyd Springs Rd., Ashland, Alabama

This exhibit is special because, as some of you may know, my mother is an Artist and 

a Potter  and several of her paintings will be feature along side my own!

Stop by the Wellness Center if you are in the Ashland area

Thank you Glassford Hill Middle School

Student Council

in Prescott Valley, Arizona

 for inviting me to be your guest speaker

on April 27, 2009

to kick off National Poetry Month!

After doing 3 assemblies in a row and speaking to 725 students, 

I was ready for a nap!

But your energy, enthusiasm and great questions and comments 

made it a banner day for me.

Guess What?  

I've got some "No Shades of Gray" and "Tree of Life"  Books!

These two Poetry Art Anthologies have been sold out at publisher for years and whenever I have had someone call to order, I'd have to track down copies at a gallery who carries my work...but right now, for a limited time, I have about a dozen copies available each.  I was able to acquire them through a secondary market.  They are brand new and ready to ship.  

"No Shades of Gray" is my first ever published book of Poetry Art, it features favorites, such as "We Belong," "Until My Arms Ache," and the three hanky poem, "Birth Pains."

"Tree of Life" sold out of it's second publication rather quickly, with Poetry and images, like,

"Tree of Life," "A Father's Arms" and the poem, "Dropping the Rock."

Since quantities are limited, this will not be put on the website and sold through PAYPAL.

If you are interested, the books are $19.95+shpg. $4.=$23.95

Email all orders: Poetryartist@yahoo.com

Personal checks are welcome.

Hurry, these won't last!

ART 101

It's been "spring break" here in Arizona for my elementary school aged daughters, so I have been pretty busy doing "projects," as well as chasing my two year old son all over our acreage.

I wanted to show off my up and coming Artist. Her style is definitely after the French Fauve painters like Henri Matisse and Andre Derain. The Fauvist movement consisted of painters who used wild brush strokes and bold, strident colors.

It is acrylic on Canvas, Titled: 

"Visions of Vietnam."

For those of  you who are interested in purchasing this piece,

I have to let you know that I am the new, proud owner.  It was

painted yesterday, by my 8 year old daughter, Fonda and it 

cost me a staggering 2 Tootsie pops and 1 Tootsie roll!!

I didn't sell my first painting until I was 28 years old...so she's doing well.

(By the way, speaking of "Fauve," that is actually my 6 year old daughter's name.) I am sure I'll show off something, in this blog, from her sometime that is equally as stunning.

Maybe, I should forget about marketing my own work and promote Fonda's!

This blog is done in conjunction with the website:

WWW.Poetryart.net

It didn't occur to me to put that on the blog before because I assumed that is how bloggers were finding me.  Lately, I have had messages that some people have found my blog by Googling my name or "Poetry Art."  So, if you that's you, take a minute to visit the website!

This Month's Featured Galleries:

Carrying Poetry Art for more than 10 years-

Gallery In the Vault

105 E. Liberty St.

Wooster, OH 

(330) 262-3599

Mhiripiri Gallery

9001 Penn Ave., Bloomington MN

(952) 285-9684

WWW.Shonasculpturemhiripir.com

"Oh, my valiant one..."

By popular demand...

New Size available on Giclee Print:  

"Prayer for a Soldier" 

22"x15 1/2"

$90.

Larger size still available too

27 1/2"x18 1/4"

$170.

Here's the poetry-----

Prayer for a Soldier

Words burst from my heart...

Like surging water splitting open a fragile dam

A humble offering to the Almighty

My gaze is upward toward shifting clouds

Resembling faces of fighters

Etched with furrows caused by war

I am praying for you, my own soldier

Wherever you might be this day

Surrendered to these events which I cannot change

As you awaken to another day of uncertainty

And have to rouse the warrior within

Waves of time overwhelm me

Like an ocean's swell washing over my shoulders

Leaving me clutching memories

Thick and satisfying

As  I kneel in the stillness of dawn

Each day, I ask God for your protection

As you do what needs to be done

I pray that you can find camaraderie in friendship

And also inspiration in history

Remembering the legacy of soldiers

Who trembled but pushed on

Feel their spirit, as they drop their rusty weapons

To give an invisible embrace

Oh my valiant one...

Can you hear the millions of prayers

Wafting up into the heavens?

Whispered by family and friends

And countless strangers

To give you strength, hope and courage

Assurance that you are everlastingly loved!

And that the road home is only

Beyond a few more hills

The lights are on

And I am breathlessly waiting for you

(c) Launa Stan

New Work

"Chosica Cafe"

Unframed, Acrylic on Canvas

28x42 

Price from Artist $2,400.

Email me for Poetry for this Piece: Poetryartist@yahoo.com

Detail

From My Family To Yours...

Merry Christmas and may your 2009 be abundantly blessed!

Personal Appearance:

Friday, November 28th, 10:00-2:00

(The day after Thanksgiving)

The Lodestone Gallery 

in Scottsdale, AZ

See earlier blog for address, telephone and web address

Come in and have your books and prints 

signed and to chat with me about Poetry Art!

A Whirlwind Trip to New Hampshire!

Whew!  I have just returned from New England and had

completely forgotten how INSANE a person has to be to 

fly with  toddler!  On this journey, I decided to ship the art

and books ahead and bring my almost two year old son with

me....YES, I just said that!  Obviously, I had completely 

forgotten how desperate a mom feels when her child is having

the tantrum to end all tantrums inside an enclosed air-

plane.  (We did a total of 6 flights! You do the math.)

I was privileged to be able to speak in the Sunday Morning 

service at the Rye Congregational Church in Rye, 

(thank you Pastor John Solie!) and at a dinner 

Monday night for Women's Journey at Bethany Church, 

(thank you Donna Miller and everyone involved!)

It was truly an exceptional opportunity to meet new people

and to reconnect with some old friends...even some that I have not seen seen our trip to Ethiopia-

Marilyn and Mary.  I got to finally connect and begin to get to know Rodica from Romania.  I 

even visited some goats and drank their milk...What fun!  And what a blessing.  Thank you too 

Lois Fonda, Paisley and Nakita for all you did for us, (considering our  "wee man" kept us all up 

at night with teething, writhing and crying...you are indeed gems.)  Thank you too for all the wo-

men who opened up to me and shared your lives, struggles and hearts.  At the midpoint of this 

whirlwind trip, I developed strep throat...Thank you Li Yuen for your Chinese Herbal Ginger drink, 

it was soothing, Karen Cameron for your winning sore throat advice and Katherine for the 

"Air Borne" and Herbal meds.  I felt so spoiled.  I mostly saw the finger of God on this trip and 

that was the best part of all!  Until we meet again...next time, without wet wipes and diapers!!

NEW GALLERY that is carrying POETRY ART

Exclusively in the Scottsdale, Arizona area...

Lodestone Art & Framing

11144 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. #E-6

Scottsdale, AZ 85259

480-767-1800

WWW.Lodestonegallery.com

Tell Laura we said "HI."

New Painting Available:

"Aria of Silence" 

Acrylic on canvas

Dimensions: 42"x28"

Price from Artist: $1,000. U.S.

If you would like to read the poetry, email me 

and I will forward the verse that it is done from...

Poetryartist@yahoo.com

Featured Business:

Cassie's Corner, 2982 N. Park Ave., Prescott Valley, AZ  (Across from Harkin's Theater in the Arts & Entertainment District)  Now carries POETRY ART prints, cards, ornaments and books.  So stop by and peruse with a cup of coffee or tea and tell Rose that Launa sent you!

(928) 757-3988

Another event to add to the schedule:

Friday, December 12, 2008, 10:00 am-12:00

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) at

Bradshaw Mountain Christian Assembly

10100 E. State Rte 69, Prescott Valley, AZ

Updated Schedule

I will be speaking/exhibiting in these locations soon:

Friday, October 10, 2008 11:30*

Ruth Ministries at Calvary Chapel

(In the Manna Cabana Cafe)

*Note date has been changed from 10/9

2313 E. AZ 69, Prescott AZ 

928-778-3475

WWW.Calvaryprescott.com

Sunday, November 9, 2008  10:00

Rye Congregational Church

580 Washington Rd., Rye, NH

Monday, November 10, 2008

Women's Journey at Bethany Church

500 Breakfast Hill Rd., Greenland, NH

603-679-2634

WWW.Bethanychurch.com

(Click "Women's Ministry" and "Women's Journey")

CHECK OUT upcoming EVENTS on JULY 9th BLOG!

FEATURED PRINTS WITH THEIR POETRY:

I've had requests for the poems that are not viewed on the website, so I thought I would feature one or two prints a month, with their verse, so you can actually read what the artwork says.

For July, I am featuring two of my top selling prints: Untattered Soul and Born for You (ordering details on website..note: Born for You is at 90% sold out status).  These two prints make a perfect gift for the new baby, whether by birth or adoption, as you will see by the images and poetry.  Also, they can be personalized with the child's name, birth date and vital statistics...this makes it so precious and a keepsake that can be handed down to the child someday!

Another thing...these prints appear to be on gray backgrounds in this blog, but they are actually on bright white paper.

"Untattered Soul"

"Born for You"

Born for You

There I was

Curled up so tightly

Like a timid snail

Scared to venture out of my shell

Or a trembling question mark

Waiting for an answer

To that all consuming question

That may never come

Cramped and craving

Searching for revelation

Some penetrating pinprick of light

To illuminate and enlighten

My world of suffocating darkness

The walls were closing in 

And I cried out for escape

I couldn't stand it another minute...

Then, like a miracle

You were there!

Smiling in the brightness

As though you already knew me

There you were

Hands outstretched and inviting

Saying, "Welcome to the family"

There you were

Showering me with kindness

So, here I am

Your confused child

My life will never be the same

Now, I am a brand new person

Born just for you

And I'm eternally grateful

That in your eyes

I can see the reflection of forever

Here I am...

I'm all yours!

Untattered Soul

A burst of diaphanous breath produced a single word

Full of pride, yet shivering in its own intensity and compassion

Saturated in light and pure love, shimmering as it hung in the expectant air...

"Live!"

Spilled from the voice, ancient and filled with elation

Igniting a Divine spark within the measureless instant you were formed

Quickened, conceived in the heart of the creator, Abba Father, El Shaddai

To become His precious child

Dreams were dreamt for you, before you understood that He existed

Indifferent to His purposes

Or even cared that your own heart beat bleatingly

As does a hapless lamb

Softly breaking into song

More blissful than the aria of a Nightingale

In that moment, He already knew you

Crafting so artistically-a nose, a mouth

Two eyes that would soon gaze in astonishment at the outside world

You were then given an untattered soul

Pure and unspoiled

Curled within His protective palm

Wombed, cradled, cocooned

No bigger than the seed of a lush Pomegranate, you stirred so slightly

"Grow!"

He instructed, then watered you with tears of joy

And you grew

Your innocence, nakedness and helplessness evident

As He gave a fragment of His own spirit to you

So enamored was your God with His creation

That He poured everything of value that He possessed

Into your tiny container

Soon, brimming with destiny, drenched and throbbing

You had to succumb to the beckoning life awaiting

Plummeting, uncontrolled, you burst forth

And sucked in your very first breath

His own, caught in His throat, as He whispered tenderly

"Now, thrive"

Then He gave you a nudge toward the arms of nervous parents

To begin your journey of thirty-thousand days

"Remember, I Am here."

He called shortly after

"I Am..."

"Here for you"

"All you have to do is call

All poetry and art copyrighted, use is by Artist's permission only

C A L E N D A R-Upcoming Events

What is easier...

petting lions or public speaking 

before hundreds of people?

For those of you whom don't know, I do enjoy

sharing my story, poetry and Poetry Art paintings in various venues-small or great.

I was once a shy girl, but over the last decade and

a half and in numerous countries, I've had the privilege of speaking to thousands (of humans)...

So far, I haven't been bitten!

If your organization is interested in having me come in to share my story and this inspirational artwork, contact me at:  Poetryartist@yahoo.com or call (928) 533-5965  I am presently firming up the schedule for fall/winter 2008 and spring 2009.

Personal Appearances & Speaking Schedule:

Here's an incomplete list of events where I will be speaking & exhibiting Poetry Art this fall-

(A couple more dates are still in the works.)

Thursday, Oct. 9th, 11:30 am

Ruth Ministry

Calvary Chapel, (in the Manna Cabana Cafe) 2313 E. AZ-69, Prescott, AZ

928-778-3475  WWW.Calvaryprescott.com

Monday, Nov 10th, 5:30-8:30 pm

Women's Journey

Bethany Church, 500 Breakfast Hill Rd., Greenland, NH (603) 679-2634

WWW.Bethanychurch.com  (click "Women's Ministry" and "Women's Journey")