Please Donate Today http://www.usaprojects.org/project/new_vision_heron_mural
Monday, July 22, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Stories from the New Vision Heron Mural
Story #1: I’ve known this guy since we were teenagers. He respected and supported me as an artist,
even back in the late ‘70’s! We’ve been
Facebook friends for some time and when the New Vision Heron Mural project went
live on USA Projects he really wasn’t in position to make a donation.
And yet he
did.
He waited
until the project reached 5% funding and when the USA Projects Open Match Fund
began matching donations dollar-for-dollar he pulled the trigger. He doubled his contribution.
This small
donation, done cleverly, has been the most touching contribution of my campaign
because of my old friend’s personal situation.
It didn’t stop him from continuing to support me and I so appreciate it!
Through this
I personally understand Luke 21: 1-4!
Story #2: Family matters brought us all together last week as I
continued to administer The New Vision Heron Mural throughout the visit. This involved so much writing: a midpoint report, Facebook links and rounds
of emails!
On his final
evening, my oldest brother mentioned that he had received my emails and that he
would make a contribution. We hugged and
I told him how much it meant to me—I hadn’t mentioned anything directly to him,
because of his strong political beliefs about government funding of arts.
The following
day as we drove to the airport I talked about all the different aspects of a
micro-philanthropy project, how much work it was to simply be listed with USA
Projects and that feeling of accomplishment, only to realize that now the funds
needed to be raised! This is not for the lazy or faint of heart!
A couple of
days later my brother made a solid donation that sent the project over the 45%
funded mark!
But the
“Priceless” moment is when you realize that what
you think is possible has changed.
It takes consistent and concentrated effort, and follow-through. It requires success minded thinking through
every conversation and the weeks of lulls.
It takes work and faith.
Again, I want
to thank everyone who has donated to The New Heron Mural Project! Your support is inspiring me to do my very
best to see this aspect of the project through to its successful end, and to
create a beautiful work of art.
Time is
running out and there is still a long way to go! Please donate to my project http://www.usaprojects.org/project/new_vision_heron_mural
Contact me if you have any questions!
Friday, July 12, 2013
Midpoint Report for the New Vision Heron Mural Project
Three weeks
remain in the New Vision Heron Mural project’s fundraiser on the USA Projects
micro-philanthropy website. It’s a
process of ebb and flow, sometimes up to a week passes with no donations, and
then a flurry of activity as updates and various appeals register.
As of this
writing, we have nearly $2,500 in donations and are over 40% funded! I love these numbers and, believe me, when
notices of new contributions come through it is THRILLING! While not precisely at the halfway level of
funding, we are within striking distance; and with half the time left to raise
the funds I remain confident!
$5,800 must
be raised by midnight, July 31st.
Crowd funding and micro-philanthropy both work on the same “all or
nothing” model where all funds need to be raised for the artist to receive any
of the monies. Your contributions are
all extremely important to the success of this project!
Thank you so
much to those of you who have already followed through on your desire to
give! I also want to thank those of you
who have made the commitment in your heart to give and have contacted me with
your pledge! The finish line is in sight
and your donations are absolutely necessary to meet this project’s goals!
I spoke with
Max Verbits, an old friend and arts proponent in Salisbury, MD a short time
ago. He spoke of the city needing
“Gateway Markers” and how this project spoke directly to that need, identifying
the downtown area.
Max also
pointed out the significance of waterfowl (and so public waterfowl imagery) to
the entire area. Waterfowl symbolize the
area culturally, historically and environmentally; and the mural’s location in
Salisbury, MD, is PERFECT! Salisbury is
perched in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway—the main North-South thoroughfare
for migrating birds, east of the Mississippi River!
And finally
on a personal note, this week my father has died. After 13 years of Alzheimer’s disease he
departed this life…it has brought home the feelings and image of the original
heron mural in ways that I had forgotten.
To be revisiting this image at this time is amazing and heart rending as
that first mural was created in the wake of my first wife’s death (breast
cancer).
As I have
been regarding the heron mural, I do not see a symbol of death but an image of
spirit: bold, poised for departure; I
also see it depicting those who are Strong but tested, and standing ready. These are fine associations for a public work
and for this town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
If you have
not already joined this project with a contribution, please visit the project
page and consider becoming part of this New Vision.
http://www.usaprojects.org/project/new_vision_heron_mural
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