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10/23/2008: "EDGES" by Cassandra Gordon Harris

"….evolve and make yourself into a vessel where a total stranger can find peace and joy" unknown

I returned from Italy with a dancing heart and a singing soul. Having met my lost children, mothers, brothers, sisters, lovers and teachers from another time and age with joy and love, it took me a couple of weeks to come back down to the reality of life and times and the unspoken word "recession".

So I did what every good ostrich does, ignored the fact that my husband was laid off and now out of work and that our meager savings would no doubt vanish without a whimper before things got better.

Thusly I charged forward putting the final touches on my book, published it and set it out into this troubled world to help people smile. I took all that passion I gained in Italy and painted a new painting filled with the anticipation of more to come from another quarter in the future. I have one new student and have another for a potential class at a business in town offering leisure time activities. I joined the committee for the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet and learned that I have nothing in common with anyone but I can be of use. After all, the Chamber was the only public place that allowed the Freedom and Art book to be set free.



Besides, like a child I still believe!
Early in September, I was accepted into the juried exhibition "Corrections". My work "Shelf Life" from the Fragility Series will be one of the many International Artists exhibiting. How cool is that?! This will be held at the SomArts Cultural Center Main Gallery in San Francisco in March of next year. So I will go to California and absorb some historic atmosphere.

Therefore, in spite of the fact that I am living on the edge of a cliff holding on by my fingernails, having anxiety attacks, exciting resume entries are happening!

Is this a wonderful world or not?

Replies: 12 Comments

on Wednesday, November 19th, plastic business car said

Great work done. We really appreciate your feelings and painting is the best way to make you busy.

on Friday, November 14th, Nazia said

Struggle of artist is very well. I feel this picture the girls are dance and signiing.

on Sunday, November 2nd, Art Collector said

That's a beautiful piece by Cassandra Gordon Harris.

on Tuesday, October 28th, Andrew said

Had to leave Italy to know why I went there...am leaving it again to give me a reason to come back.

on Monday, October 27th, BradMM said

The most beautiful woman I have ever met was from Italy - I was swimming in the Adriatic, got winded, and made it to a floating dock that was anchored. This lady also came to the dock from the other side and we both climbed out at the same time. Did I mention it turned out we both were visiting a Naturalist's Colony? Mia di mamma, se avevo saputo solo un piccolo italiano! Non ha saputo di inglesi sia. Dopo che un freddo nuota - ha poco altro per offrire ma un sorriso. It is a memory worth a million - such things come of magical places we may be so lucky to visit... Thanks for sharing - BradMM

on Friday, October 24th, cassandra said

Hi Erika. thanks for your kind words. The book is a childrens book, or for those who act like child! (like most of us artists!) It is called Avatars of Avilon and is available though blurb.com. You can go to my blog "Avatars on the loose" for a link! My best to you!

on Friday, October 24th, cassandra said

The Italian artists infinitely inspired me when I was a student and did the tour of Italy. Although I did lean more towards Velaquez and Goya. This trip was about rediscovering myself though the eyes of others. After a year and a half of complete and total rejection from every local quarter one could imagine, I was loosing my identity. Besides, my head was starting to bleed from hitting so many brick walls. On this trip I laughed, cried and and talked and talked and talked with my own kind. The effects were a re-kindling of a fire in my soul that I thought was in the process of dying. What I will now do with that fire remains to be seen, but it will be exciting.

on Friday, October 24th, Ellen said

"Where there's life there's hope...." Wonderful blog! Congrats!!

on Thursday, October 23rd, Erika Koenig said

Cassandra,

...where ever the 'unknown' quote came from, it is truly wonderful...I live and work in Steveston, BC, Canada, I am fortunate to live and work in a tiny fishing village bordered by the mighty Fraser river and surrounded by the Gulf of Georgia with coast mountains to the north and Mount Baker and Renier to the south...it is a spectacular place to live, work and be...I would not trade it for anything...I am a multi media artist, I have 3 beautiful sons, I believe in supporting the arts and especially in my local community...with thanks for your words and can you please tell me the name of your book, it is Edges? I just recently have begun my own blog in the last few days...it is salonunidad.wordpress.com with thanks... Erika K

on Thursday, October 23rd, lenkart53@yahoo.com">Lenka m.manning said

Hi Cassandra,
I just happened on this page looking for Baroque art ! Glad to hear that you were so renewed in Italy. What a blessing you got to have that experience before the financial world went" to hell in a hand basket!"See you on artmesh XXLenka

on Thursday, October 23rd, josé said

Wonderful Cassandra, Brava! Brava! to hear of such tenacity in such hard times is inspiring.

on Thursday, October 23rd, glenna Park said

I am a 66 year old artist who has lived through similar circumstances. I, too, found my artistic source in Italy. Just remember to invest in your mind and your talent. Everything else can be lost, stolen, re-possessed, burned up, or destroyed. If your mind goes you'll never know anyway.