#C4ward March Blogathon (Day 3): Sharing my favorite creative work

RANDOM FAVORITE WORK. (Art by Hallelujah Truth)

Hallelujah for the opportunity to speak exuberantly about my art work! Hallelujah for an exercise to flex my confidence about the images I make and a chance to represent them lovingly to the world! 

Today's prompt from C4 Atlanta is one that asks us to speak up and out in support of our work (see below for entire prompt). Here goes...

At this moment, a current project is summoning me to reawaken it, nourish it, and give it some BIG LOVE. In the fall of 2013, I began a project with Jenifer Hilburn, a Georgia coast ornithologist, to tell the story of the American oystercatcher in words and images (see here, here, and here and many more about our collaboration throughout 10/13). 

This image (above and to the left) represents the successful birth of a beautiful black-and-white coastal bird with a long orange beak. Although it is certainly a celebratory image, it only tells a small fraction of this bird's struggling story to survive. And, its species, despite the work conservationists are doing and the art I making, will more than likely disappear. Hatching from the egg, while miraculous, does not guarantee survival for this bird--predators, rising sea level, decreasing habitats, and roving party-goers in boats threaten this bird's existence.

Art by Hallelujah Truth

Before the American oystercatcher species leaves this planet, however, it is possible to support this ground-nesting bird during its life-cycle. Artists, like me, have a significant role to play communicating these matters of life-and-death happening throughout the Earth's chain of life. 

We artists can collaborate with scientists, reaching deep into the resources of information they possess. Together we can communicate these pressing matters with LOVE, ENTHUSIASM, and shared WISDOM.

SPEAKING AT THE GEORGIA LITERARY FESTIVAL 2013. Last fall, I was the given the opportunity to speak about engaging children in environmental stewardship using story and art based on the experience I had illustrating a book for Bahamian children about their animals of the land, sky, and sea. At the end of my presentation, I introduced my current project with Jen Hilburn. She is pictured on top right holding an American oystercatcher. And we are shown in the center on one of the outings she took me to see the shell rakes off the coast of St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, where the American oystercatcher nests.

I am totally passionate about the Earth (and all of its life), Scientists, Art, and Communication. Although I have had many successful outcomes for my art, ones which have made me proud, the artwork I am most in love with at this moment are my images concerning the life-cycle of the American oystercatcher in collaboration with the awesome, energetic, and knowledgeable Jen Hilburn.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. This blog post today has moved me farther along in my creative process by helping me articulate what is important work for me to pursue. I feel more focused and in love with my work, mission, and vision. Thank you C4 Atlanta! I will be getting back in touch with Jen Hilburn to resume our work on the American oystercatcher.

DAY#3 Prompt in Entirety

Share your Favorite Creative Work

C4ward March Blogathon: Day 3 Prompt

Look at your body of creative work past and present. What work is your favorite? Why? What work are you the most proud of? Why? Are they the same work or different? Explain.

 

How would you communicate your feelings about this cherished work to a broader audience? How would you share both the work and your ideas about it with the public?

 

If possible, post on this blog entry, an example of the creative work you are writing about.