Learning Batik in Guam

Judy Flores is one of the most respected artists in Guam. She uses the medium of batik and creates charming scenes of life in Guam. I bought a poster of her work of a Taotaomona (banyan) tree when I lived here in the 80s, had it framed, and it has been hanging in my home in Hawaii all these years. She was acclaimed then, and is even more so now. When my daughter Dance told me about this opportunity to take a workshop from her on my vacation in Guam, I knew I had to do it. I do not consider myself a visual artist, but I do want to explore all aspects of creativity. This is what this blog is about after all. I invited my friend Marie, who now lives in Florida and is here for a niece's wedding next week. She also was excited about the chance to learn from an artist we both admired.

We arrived there a few minutes late, hoping they would be on Chamorro time. They weren't, but it didn't matter. Half the women there were advanced students who were already well into their projects. Judy gave us a brief lesson on how to layer colors, told us to practice with the tools (tjantings) and colors on newsprint first. Most important, she said, have fun. After a little practice, we decided to just go for it. 

It is hard to decide what the subject of your very first project is going to be in a new medium. Even if you know you're just learning, you still care about what you do. One woman was having so much fun doing abstract work on scarves. She said she realized that she was never happy when she tried to draw, but she as always happy when she went abstract. Both Marie and I followed her lead on our second project.

But for my first project, I was drawn to do something that had meaning for me. While I was waiting for Marie, I took some pictures of flowers on the grounds of the house where she was staying. Even that act was a deliberate choice. I remembered that when I was going to Catholic school in 6th grade, the priest got really mad at someone who had used the kadena de amor to decorate the statue of Mary. He called them weeds. I guess I carried that story with me all my life because I always think of that story when I see these flowers. So that was my first project. I'm also partial to butterflies, so I had to have a butterfly in it.

As I said, my second project was abstract. There's something about doing something abstract that is very freeing, and you do feel creative. You're making something out of nothing. My only goals were to learn a new technique and  to make sure it is not ugly. I liked that experience.

On my last project, I could tell that I had already improved in my control of the tjanting. My lines are clearer. I traced the butterfly and the bougainvillea from books, and felt no guilt about that. You can see my abstract scarf under this project.

I know I have a lot to learn. But it was fun, great to spend time with my friend, make new friends, be in the peaceful presence of a master artist in her garden studio, and just exercise this creativity muscle. I highly recommend this workshop or any chance you get to learn something new. 

Signs Along the Way

My Facebook friends and my Kealakehe colleagues know of my decision to retire early so that this is my last year teaching in Hawaii DOE. Over the past few years, I had mentioned that it was a possibility. This past school year, my mental and spiritual journey was to look for the signs of whether or not I should take that step. I will likely write a longer piece on my decision, but for now, I wanted to share some of the quotes/signposts that I saved from Facebook in the past few months leading to the decision. There are lots more. This is just a sampling. You get the gist. 

Energy of Disappointment

There is energy to be tapped

in disappointment

Whether it be in a job

or a cause

or a political figure

or a relationship

The hope for success 

For dreams come true

For visions manifesting

Had energy.

But when that hope dies

What happens to that energy

Defines you.

You could wallow 

in despair

Justify mind-numbing 

choices

Become cynical

Or you could

Take that energy

And make something with it

Create something

Do something

That would not have been done

Without that infusion

Of thwarted energy

Of anger

Of frustration

Of disappointment

Without the redirection

Of hope-filled energy

Every bit of energy

I had planned 

To give to that hope,

I now give to 

Something else.

I walk

I run

I sweat

I exhilarate

in the sound 

of music in my ears

In the rhythm 

of my shoes on the ground

In time 

to joyous, 

beautiful,

life-filled 

songs.

Review: The Girl with the White Flag

This book is making its rounds among my family. The subtitle is "A spellbinding account of love and courage in wartime Okinawa." The author is the girl with white flag, Tomiko Higa, who was 7 years old when this photo was taken upon the American conquest of Okinawa in WWII. 

What she describes is horrifying and no child should ever have to experience it. But they do, and this continues to this day. We share the same race. Had my grandparents not immigrated, I could be her. But would I have been as brave? I hope so. That personalizes it for me, but it's shouldn't.  Whether to Okinawans, to Japanese, to Guamanians, to Jews, to Iraquis, Afghanis, or Palestinians, war is horrible. Horrifying. Wrong.

I had this delusional belief that war is only about soldiers fighting for their country. And the casualties would only have been the military. But look at this table: Almost as many civilians died in the Battle of Okinawa than soldiers. How can that be? Why did it have to be? 

Yes, this is the past. But war rages on. Drones are killing civilians. This is wrong. 

Succulents and Terrariums

I do know why I'm attracted to succulents and terrariums. I think even I can make them last. I don't pride myself in my gardening skills, but I do love plants. Today, I was so happy to find these at the Green Market in Captain Cook, sold by a father of a colleague, I discovered when he gave me his card (Amoguis). 

I'll keep you posted on whether or not I'm successful and if I am and if you're on my Island, you just may receive one as a gift someday.

Gifts, a poem

In celebration of National Poetry month, I am posting a poem that I wrote that I'm kinda proud of. It was a healing poem for me, a way of emerging from a bad relationship. 

Gifts

You do not travel this world unclothed

Upon your coming

You are bestowed with gifts of finery

And as you grow, you are dressed

Think of this clothing as treasure,

Not to be hoarded but shared

Yet not to be squandered

Vulnerable to theft

Think of this treasure as the stuff of art

Draw it, shape it, give it voice

Think of this art as your children

Love and nurture

Protect and respect them.

And think of these children

As sunflowers

Expanding

And ever-reaching

Towards the Source

- Diane Aoki, 1994

Terrariums, Ramen-crusted Chicken Wings, and New Friends

Cruising the library, this book called out to me.

So this was my creative project. Took about 5 minutes plus going to Lowes to get the gravel and tillandsia. But I love it. We had the strands (can't remember its name) in the yard, and I had the vase in a cabinet. Here are my trinkets from Oaxaca enjoying my creation.

I also made this - ramen encrusted chicken wings, which I saw on the Today Show when I was home on Wednesday for Kuhio Day. It was good, but don't know if it's worth the trouble. Dry coat, wet count, fry, drain, wet coat, dredge in crumbled ramen. I'll make it for potluck sometime and see what people think. Mom thought it was soooo good.

All in all, a good day. I also made new friends and supported a cause. Not much writing right now, but recording my attempts helps me to stay on track with my goal of being more creative.