Book excerpt: Unbutton My Heart
The Story of Poetry Art
Author's Note
When I was a little girl, with a mouthful of of crooked teeth, twiggy legs and lopsided pigtails, I possessed no dreams of grandeur. My greatest aspiration was to become one of those fabulous women I had admired in countless rural rodeos. I would sit transported, as they pranced into the ring, regally sitting upon their fine horses. I wanted, desperately, to someday be part of that cowgirl parade, with my own turquoise polyester western suit and matching felt hat and rhinestone tiara. I yearned to hold the Arkansas state flag, while guiding my gray and white Appaloosa onto the dusty field with my other hand. The mingled aroma of sweat, hay and cow dung was practically perfume to my young nose. Whenever the last strains of the National Anthem evaporated into the cotton ball clouds, I ached to be one of those horsewomen, who clicked their tongues and galloped out, to the applause of hundreds of spectators, dripping in hot dog grease.
I never imagined then, that my life would take all the turns that it has. Frankly, I wouldn't have had the chutzpah to dream that grand! Rather than growing up to raise my children in a small town, I've traversed the globe countless times. I don't own a paddock of speckled ponies, nor have I ever ridden in a rodeo, but I have jumped out of airplanes for fun. I've worked as a model for television commercials and print ads. I've been a political cartoonist. I've designed clothing for teenagers and traveled to more countries than I can count. Since 1989, I have been known for creating and executing a style of painting that I call, Poetry Art. This art begins with the composition of a poem, which I paint into the artwork, using the words to create the entire image. Since its inception, I have exhibited in hundreds of galleries in the United States as well as museums. I have had the privilege of taking this special art and poetry to far flung nations, such as India, Israel, Russia, Peru and Ukraine. Many churches, schools and organizations for women and children have invited me to speak. I have climbed Machu Picchu, I have been awed by the Bolshoi ballet in Moscow and cried with widows in the Chernobyl region of Ukraine. I have walked through the slums of Bombay and watched children play barefoot in open sewers. I have been a special guest in high security prisons at home and abroad. I've sipped tea at governor's mansions, bombed out houses in Kosovo and in mud floor huts in Ethiopia. I've held hands and prayed with dear people dying of AIDS in Africa. I have had the great privilege of being part of relief missions for Afghanistan, Turkey, Peru, Russia, Ukraine, the Andaman Islands, Ethiopia, Zambia, India, Kosovo and in the United States.
Thus far, my existence on this planet has been blessed with purpose and joy, yet I find myself humbled and a bit embarrassed to tell my story. I am an ordinary person who is thrilled to have been a part of extraordinary events...
I write this story, mainly for the countless request that I have had throughout the years, for a written account of my experiences. Many people have been inspired, not so much by me, but by the apparent hand of God that is on my life and seen in Poetry Art. Ironically, I am a possessively private person by nature. Baring my inner and exterior life for all to read and disseminate is difficult for me to do. Yet, on a spiritual level, I know this testimony might lighten the load of one traveling along the same road that I once did. Perhaps through my meager words, comfort, healing and connection will occur.
I don't want to imply that I have arrived, but rather that I am still circumnavigating jagged rocks and cliffs, I fall on my face daily, like everyone else.
This is not an autobiography in the traditional sense, but rather a single voice narrative with anecdotes and snippets of a life led...In the end, I believe that the words that I have chosen will illuminate this precious, holy and unique art form that I have been given from above. This thin volume will reveal the power of poetry; the consequences of leaps of faith and the gorgeous pattern that a bigger picture brings...My heart's desire in writing this memoir is that my simple words will touch the reader, in a deep and lasting way. If this ends up being true, I hope you'll let me know!
Launa
Prescott, Arizona
(Ironically-home of the oldest rodeo)
