EMERGING SOUL OF A SIGN: The Making of the Summer SOULstice Soiree Sign for Mulberry Fields Community Garden

EMERGING SOUL OF A SIGN. Paint holds spirit! As I fill out lines with shades of color, something magical emerges from the image. (art by Hallelujah Truth)

STARTING FROM A FAMILIAR PLACE. This image of a mermaid is a familiar one in my repertoire of drawings (just check the sidebar of this blog, on the right). When I am asked to do something and have little or no idea as to what to do, I begin with what I know.(art by Hallelujah Truth)

photo by Chiboogamoo

Hallellujah for requests for my artistry to support worthy community causes, especially when that cause is MULBERRY FIELDS COMMUNITY GARDEN AND GREEN SPACE in Candler Park, Atlanta, Georgia. When Jesse Merle Harris, one of the founders of Mulberry Fields and a dear artist friend of mine (see my interview with her), asked me to promote the upcoming fund raiser for our community garden, I readily accepted. 

The name of the fund raising event is perfect for me, Hallelujah Truth, because it has been named, SUMMER SOULSTICE SOIREE, and I applaud the use of the word "SOUL" in place of the prefix "sol." How magnificent to celebrate all of our SOULS at the summer equinox, the longest day of the year! Hallelujah!

COLOR HOLDS ENERGY. Painting with color is a joyful process! For me, I follow my heart for color choices and love to see what kind of energy is evoked from the calamitous rioting colors. (art by Hallelujah Truth)

ADDING WORDS TO MAKE IT A SIGN. It has been a first for me to make this sign to advertise an event. Figuring out how to write the words was slightly haphazard since I don't like to plan carefully but prefer the result of spontaneous writing (ha ha)! (art by Hallelujah Truth)

FUNDRAISING NAMES AND LEVELS REQUIRE PLANNING. WHOOPS! To fulfill its mission as a fundraising sign for both the Summer SOULstice Soiree event and advertising donation levels, I needed to call in planning and...CHIBOOGAMOO's assistance! Here, in this photo, you can see that I have measured out even lines on the mermaid's body and made rows of light and dark turquoise. Now, that is planning! (art by Hallelujah Truth)

CAREFUL LETTERING. Hallelujah for CHIBOOGAMOO's careful clear writing! You can now see the donation levels and the cool names of each! Don't you want to be a "Stampeding Pumpkin"? (art by Hallelujah Truth)

WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF ROOM, AMMEND. Instead of trying to add all of the information to the painting of the Summer SOULstice Soiree mermaid, I decided to build the sign up and down, adding the Mulberry Fields marquee to the top and the blog for making donations to the bottom! It has been tremendously fun to work with wood and tin again after a sabbatical of two years. (art by Hallelujah Truth)

PROTECTION FOR BEING OUTSIDE AT MULBERRY FIELDS. In order for the Summer SOULstice Soiree sign to live safely outdoors, she needed to be swabbed with exterior polyeurethane! (art by Hallelujah Truth)

FINAL TOUCHES--ASSEMBLING. Hallelujah for felines who can use power tools! Tao, assisted me in the final stages of this Summer SOULstice Soiree sign for Mulberry Fields (And he is with me now helping me write this blog entry by walking all over the key board!). (art by Hallelujah Truth)

Dear Pilgrims, I painted passionately from Saturday morning to Wednesday morning, examining my interior life while focusing on making this Summer SOULstice Soiree sign for my community garden, Mulberry Fields. When Jesse came by with her truck to take the sign away, I felt happy and sad simultaneously.

Hurray for artists and their art. Hurray for me and my connections to community. My Chiboogamoo and I do not have any children; therefore, our works are our offspring. And when these quickly reared offspring go rapidly out into our communities to lead their own lives, there is an  "empty nest" syndrome experience.

SOULFUL MERMAID AT HOME in MULBERRY FIELDS (art by Hallelujah Truth)

Hallelujah Truth, photo by Chiboogamoo

However, there is always the next art project and the next blog. And, in this case, there is Mulberry Fields and our garden plot that has been planted with tomatoes, beans, basil, peppers, and eggplant. 

That's Coffee with Hallellujah on this day of June 13th, 2013. What will you do today Pilgrims to serve your community and to plant something that will feed your body and soul? SOUL BLOG with me and share your ideas!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Thank you so much SOULMATE, Chiboogamoo!

HUBBY SUPPORT. Chiboogamoo with vegetables for our garden plot at Mulberry Fields Community Garden and Green Space! (photo by Hallelujah Truth)