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")

JOY BAGS

There is something so dear to my heart that I'd like to share it in today's blog...it is a project that I started a few years ago called, JOY BAGS

If you want more information about it's history, or how to give, see:  WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org or hit the Global Impact button on my website.

We have an ongoing program to give children at risk, around the world, personal items, school and art supplies in a fabric, draw string bag.  I cannot begin to express the joy and excitement that I have witnessed as children in dire circumstances received their own Joy Bag.   There is

nothing to compare to the expressions of shock and amazement as they open them up to reveal all the goodies inside-all belonging to them!  

In Zambia, when we did an outreach to HIV/AIDS orphans, I noticed the children jumping up and down, exclaiming, "Soap!"  "Soap!"  I  admit that I was puzzled.  Those bags had art supplies, candy, balloons, stickers, pencils, notebooks, you name it. Why were they in ecstasy over bars of ivory soap?  It wasn't until later that a local explained to me that for these children, soap was a luxury item.  Many had never actually owned soap.  I was told that these children would bring the soap back to the shanty town where they lived and share it with their entire families.  These simple bars of soap would be treated as a treasured item within their family for many months, if not years, to come.  Humbling, to say the least!

My passion is to bring art camps to youth throughout the globe.  I wish to offer art therapy types of projects to children who have experienced trauma, extreme poverty, disease, natural disaster, war and the effects of terrorism.  Along with the art camps, my desire is to give each participant a Joy Bag filled with tons of great items to take home with them.  We are always looking for donations of items for the Joy Bags and people to sew the basic draw-string bags.  We also need the finances to ship the bag and purchase other items within the nations that we serve.  If this is something that appeals to you, please go to the Global Impact website as mentioned above.  Please note that all donations are tax deductible and a receipt is issued

as such.  

Thank you-

Launa

Often, many Poetry Art collectors who are not near a gallery that carries my original paintings have never seen one.  I thought I would feature some available ones on my blog, since the website only shows reproductions in giclees, limited editions, open editions and cards.

This piece is acrylic on canvas.  It is a diptych, which means it is in two pieces.  The name is "Arizona Morning" and it measures 28 1/4"x48 1/2" per panel (total width is 97".)  It features a herd of Pronghorn Antelope which are common sites at my home and on the surrounding properties.  When we moved to Arizona almost three years ago, I was mesmerized by these stately creatures, as well as the Black tail Jack Rabbits and even the Coyotes that meander in the prairie grass that surrounds our home.  This piece is for sale.  If purchased through Poetry In Motion, it is $3,500.  When obtain through retail galleries, the price is approx. $6,500-7,500. US

Here is the poetry that this piece is done in:

Arizona Morning

I yawn, stretch and gulp in delicious air

As wind shakes the leaves on a lone Quaking Aspen

And from the slender, wine hued Plum

Music rushes forth

The rustling of hundreds of tiny bird wings

The tinkling of bells

In God's outdoor cathedral

With an altar of cactus and an apse of clouds

A cyprus performs calisthenics

Bending, reaching and waving

Arizona morning

I inhale your unique sweetness

Contemplate the stillness

While the cool air lingers a moment longer

Acres of grasses have been bleached

The shade of platinum blonde

Dried out like straw, yet as soft as duckling feathers

The earth, blood red and rich

Is moist from the evening thunderstorm

An unexpected, uninvited tumult

So desperately needed

Hints of heat creeps into my consciousness

As the sun peeks over the cobalt blue jagged hills

Those mountains look like sleeping Buffalo

Bleary eyed and overcome with dreams

Dusky thoughts are pushed away

As the diaphanous haze that lingers in the valley

I sip my coffee, strong and black

And stare as a lover

Wordlessly mouthing a prayer

Laden with awe

Light moves slowly, caressing the scenery

As though a gargantuan paintbrush

Is washing the land with transparent gold

I am disbelieving that all this is mine

As I listen to birds offer soprano praise

To their unseen Creator

And hope that the herd of Pronghorn Antelope

Will meander closer

So that I can reach out and touch them

With my gaze

A Black tail Jack Rabbit studies me intently

From an overgrown Sage bush

And I realize that the weeds have blossomed

Here in this prairie paradise

So has my life

-Launa (copyright)

Hey schools!  I'd love to come in and do a 

Poetry Art presentation and project with you too!  Contact me:  Poetryartist@yahoo.com

and we will see what I can arrange.

My passion is encouraging youth to dream big.

Glassford Hill Middle School, I look forward to

seeing you next year! 

(By the way, this mural that we are standing in front of was done by a talented artist and poet at GHMS, keep up the great work!)

                                                                                       

-Launa

I visited Glassford Hill Middle School in Prescott Valley, Arizona on Thursday, May 24.

I spent the entire day with hundreds of students, as I exhibited Poetry Art in the Library, talked about this unique art form and headed up an art project with the kids that allowed them to do Poetry Art for themselves.

What a blast!  

The students got to work with black construction paper, bleach (sorry parents!) and oil pastels, as they wove their own poetry into a masterpiece.  I can't tell you how impressed I was with all of the fabulous poems and finished pieces of art.  There are some budding artists and writers at Glassford Hill!  I would like to thank the staff at this great school for having me as a guest,

particularly, these teachers:  Mark Segarra, Julie Rodriguez and StacyBooher.  You three Rock! I don't know how you do what you do everyday!  You have the energy and stamina of teenagers.

 

   Unbutton My Heart 

The Story of Poetry Art by Launa

I (Launa) have had myriads of people ask me for a written account of my story, experiences and the background of Poetry Art.  I had it in my mind to do a new book that focused on these things, yet having two little girls at home (24/7) since 2002 made that kind of project seem beyond daunting.  This last year, with Fonda in first grade and Fauve (still at home) but an incredibly adept nap taker, I was able to accomplish this task.  It was amazing how well the recollections flowed from my "MOMnesia" laden brain to the computer keyboard, once I began.

The book, entitled, "Unbutton My Heart" is truly a labor of love.  Unbutton is my most deep and personal endeavor to date, as it tells my story, warts and all.  It is 250 pages of sweet, charming, painful and victorious snippets of a life led-if I may say so myself!  It is now available for purchase and I am booking personal appearances, book signings, exhibitions and (my personal passion,) speaking events.  Anyone interested in having me come to their church, school, synagogue, gallery or community event, contact:  Poetryartist@yahoo.com or call, 928-533-5965