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| Art by Lisa Brandel |
Long, long ago, when I first started blogging, I met Lisa Brandel, who was a blogger at The Widow Lady, but who has since stopped blogging there and instead maintains a Widow Lady Facebook Page.
Her page is full of inspiration and Lisa is always doing new and exciting things. I recently found out, through Facebook, that she started an organization called Art Ambush Project. Here she is to tell you about it:
Katherine asked me to tell you all a little about this
project for her blog. It’s taken me some time to do it, but I think I’ve
finally found the words to express what Art Ambush project.
We are a micro-movement of people, from all different
backgrounds, faiths, paths, disciplines of art who have banded together
to give the unsung heroes, the everyday people doing extraordinary
things, a piece of beauty. No strings attached. Nothing but love and
thank you for being you.
We began this grass roots movement a mere seven months ago
with four artists, including the founders, and as of this date we have
over 25 artists, several coming from across the sea, and have gifted
over 350 people pieces of art and supplies for art. We’ve ambushed
hospice houses, chemotherapy wards (nurses and patients), doctors,
survivors, people who have been through loss, people making a difference
for homeless and forgotten animals, people making a difference for
homeless people, people fighting for equal rights, and the list grows
all the time.
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| This is one of the pieces given to a burn victim made by Anna Gruszka of Heart to Art Jewelry Designz |
We are being the change we want to see in the world. We
want more love, so we give more love. Many of our artists, including
myself, know loss in our lives so we reach out and give the hand up we
have either gotten or would have liked to have gotten.
I’d like you to imagine something for me. You are coming
home from work, living your life, going through a rough patch, and when
you get to your door you find a box. You think, “I didn’t order
anything.” You take it in, and as you open it you discover a beautiful
piece of jewelry, or a blown glass globe, a painting, or some handmade
item. You are confused, but then you see a card. It tells you that
someone noticed that you are beautiful, helpful, that you are doing all
you can, and they wanted to give you something because you are. They
don’t want anything from you, they just want to say “Thank you.”
It’s a stranger. Someone you don’t know, or don’t know well. But, whoever it is took the time not only to think of you, but to send something of themselves to you.
That is the art ambush project.
No artist asks what color, age, religion, or other label
the ambushee carries. They simply know it’s a soul. They take it and the
story we are given and create something to give. We are the change we
want to see. We are the love we want to receive, and in giving have
received it.
Sometimes we receive a thank you on our facebook page, and
many times the person tells us, “It arrived at the exact perfect time.”
So, this writing for Katherine is my mini-ambush to you all. When you think the world is divided and has lost their collective heart remember. There is a movement, not about money, not about fame. It’s about giving people recognition, love, and a little beauty as a reminder life is good.
With love, Namaste,
Lisa Brandel, The Widow Lady and Art Ambush founder.
