Thursday, November 18, 2010

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Installation at Global Missions Conference, Chattanooga, TN, November 4-7, 2010.


Installation view with Attic Window Block Quilts (twin size), 2010, encaustic on panel... and me


Goodnight House: A blessing, 2010, installation & performance. Talk with your hands much Shannon?


Installation view


A barrel and a heap and I’m talking in my sleep, 2010, fabric, photo transfer, acrylic, stitching


Once there were four children, 2010, book pages, wax, wire


Once there were four children (Detail)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Memorial Stone Monday: Times 2

Since I'm doing two memorial stones today I figured I should do two people that kind of go together. Having two sisters it's hard to tell you about one without talking about the other or to talk about one before the other.

As kids whenever it was time for our family to move again my parents would remind my sisters and I that "You'll lose friends, you'll make new friends, but you're sisters will always be there." I think the goal of this was to help us get along better. Don't know that it really served that purpose, but we have stayed close. Today I can call them not only my sisters but also my friends and (hence this blog) part of my support team.


The choice to support me has been a decision that their whole families have participated in. If you remember the first MSM (Memorial Stone Monday), my older sister's kids have participated in raising support for me. I find the Halloween costumes Kierstyn did with her kids to be supporting me too.


My younger sister and her family have also been quick to join my support team. A week an a half ago in the days leading up to and just after Global Missions Conference I got to stay with Megan. She has more than once let me stay with her family while I've been in the area for support raising, conferences, and meetings at MTW.


Both of my sisters and their families are among my biggest supporters. Their financial support has come at a cost to their whole families, and they've done it willingly out of love for me. That is invaluable to me.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Jeremiah

While driving through Cick-fil-A after visiting the aquarium Jeremiah I had this meaningful conversation.


I'll post about GMC and my Atlanta visit soon. Look for a double-dose of Memorial Stone Monday next week.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tardy Tuesday

Again, I managed to not post Memorial Stone Monday on Monday...

Meet the Harrods, Greg, Angie and their boys, Aidan, Donovan and Keegan. The Harrods have contributed to my journey in several ways. They have been faithful prayer partners with me form the very beginning. Several years ago Greg's work took him and Angie and baby Aidan to Australia. We've been able to share stories of being in Oz, funny cross-cultural mishaps, and TimTams. It's nice to hear an authentic "No worries" or "Good on ya" every now and then (even though I know it's mostly just to humor me). Greg and Angie have been and continue to be a huge encouragement and blessing to me, not only through their prayer and financial support, but through friendship they have given me over the years, especially this past year.


Aidan, Donavon, and Keegan have contributed to my support as well through their prayers and the Sunday School offering at Evangel. I can always count on them for a hug or high-five followed quickly by a "when are you leaving?" and "when are you coming back?" I've had the blessing of watching the Harrod boys on occasion for several years now. It has been amazing to watch them grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men".





So, as a bit of an excuse for why I'm late and a prayer request. I've been preparing for Global Missions Conference (the PCA and MTW's anual shin-dig) in Chattanooga, TN. I've been invited to show some of my artwork at this years conference. Which of course means I have been a crazy person the last few weeks and extra crazy the past few days. Yesterday I left Wichita for Atlanta, I'll be spending a few days here with my sister then heading to Chattanooga on Thursday. Then back to Atlanta on Tuesday and home Thursday.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Buttons!

Who has two thumbs and Yellow Brick Studio - The Road to OZ buttons?


THIS GIRL!



Hot off the presses, especially for you, my lovely support team!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Memorial Stone Monday

Today I want to introduce you to Ron and Terri Stockman. My parents met the Stockmans when I was a baby while both families were stationed in LA and they have been best friends ever since. I've always known them as "Mr. Ron" and Miss. Terri." The Stockmans are very much so a part of my family. Mr. Ron and Miss. Terri's sons have been the closest thing I've ever had to brothers. Our families shared holidays, birthdays, and many just plain old days. I don't officially have godparents, but if I did it would be the Staocmans. They even few out to Wichita for my thesis exhibit a year and a half ago.

Miss Terri and I are very alike... we dress similarly. We both have very dark hair and very fair skin. We do our make up the same way. We both get a rash when we eat mangos. We're both artists. We have many more idiosyncrasies in common, but to list them could be narcissistic yet embarrassing. It's to the point that our families joke that Miss. Terri is my "other mother" or my "birth mom."



Just last week I got the notification from MTW that Mr. Ron and Miss. Terri have joined my support team. I knew they were partnering with me emotionally and in prayer from the very beginning of this journey, it's great to have them officially on my support team. Their pledge also brought me up to 50% of support raised. I've been told the last half comes in faster and easier than the first... we'll see. It seems befitting that such a "monumental" moment in this process would come from the Stockmans!



As a kid it was oddly comforting to know that if something happened to my parents Mr. Ron and Miss. Terri would take care of my sisters and I. There is nothing odd about having them taking care of me in this way now and it's just as comforting.

(I sincerely hope that Mr. Ron and Miss. Terri will forgive me for posting such awesome pictures of them... What can I say? The 80's were great!)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tardy Tuesday

A.K.A. Memorial Stone Monday a day late...

This week I want to share one of the first "stones" picked up on this journey. Walter and Doris Ramsour joined my support team long before I even knew I would be raising support.

In the summer of 2008 Steve and B were in the states and were planning a visit to Wichita. Walter told me the Sunday before their visit that I needed to meet Berenice because "She's you in 25 years." So, that Wednesday I went to the Rarig's talk and met B. The next morning she and I had coffee and the rest is history. I know that B and I were providentially planed for each other, but some days I can't help but wonder how long it would have taken for us to get together if it weren't for Walter's insistence.

Walter and Doris were among this first to join my support team after my approval with MTW. In addition to this, they have been supporting the ongoing work in Perth for a while now. Their vision for the church, both local and in Australia, is humbling. I am so blessed by their generosity of heart, wisdom, and resources.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Memorial Stone Monday

These cute kids are Elizabeth, Micah, and Benjamin, my niece and nephews. At a recent family garage sale the kids sold muffins and orange juice and brought the proceeds to me, in a giant ziplock bag, to help me get back to Australia. Elizabeth would be the first to tell you that it got hot that day... VERY HOT! But she stuck it out in the south Texas, middle of summer heat to help me. They even added some of their own money too!



While they here in Kansas visiting Elizabeth and I sat on the driveway and with a little help from Micah and Benjamin by sorting out the "silver money" we counted it all. All said and done, after adding what we found in my car and on my desk, Elizabeth, Micah, and Benjamin had raised $76 for me.

It is truly amazing to be the recipient of these three young missions minded hearts!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Coming soon: Memorial Stone Monday

Bet you'll never be able to guess when it's coming!

A while back I was reading in the book of Joshua. I came to the part where Israel crosses the Jordan River and enteres the land of Canaan, the land they had been promised and were waiting for. God told Joshua to have one man from each of the twelve tribes pick up a stone out of the river as they crossed over where the waters had been parted in front of the Arc of the Covenant. When all of Israel had crossed into Canaan these twelve stones were piled up into a monument. This monument was to serve as a memorial to what God had done in parting the Jordan and bringing Israel into Canaan, as promised.



As I'm working my way across the river of support raising I have started to think of each of my supporters as a memorial stone. In the end, when I finally get back to Australia I will have my beautiful support team to stand as the monument to what God has done.

So... Starting on Monday I will be sharing with you stories of the amazing, generous, faithful people who are helping me on the road to Oz.

If you want more information on how or why to join my support team let me know. If you are ready and able to join my team, THANK YOU! You can do so by following the link in the "Online Giving" section on the right side of this page.

Until Monday...

Monday, September 27, 2010

Goodnight House, Goodnight Mouse

A few stills from last Friday's performance

















Monday, September 20, 2010

If I had a theme song...

for my support raising this would be it.



I want you to want me... to be in Perth.
I need you to need me... to be a part of your extended covenant, faith family.
I love you to love me... and love on me as I struggle through this support raising process.

Not only that, but I want you, need you and love you to be a part of my ministry.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Mark your calendars


This show will be a fundraiser of my internship in Australia. I will be selling 12"x12" paintings for very reasonable price. The proceeds of any sales will be added to my account with MTW.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Did you know?

That September is Craniofacial Awareness Month?


Did you know that A craniofacial disorder is an abnormality of the face and/or the head? Craniofacial differences can result from abnormal growth patterns of the face or skull, which involves soft tissue and bones. A craniofacial condition may include disfigurement brought about by birth defect, disease or trauma.

Did you know that I am the proud aunt of two nephews who were borne with craniofacial defects? Timothy (cleft lip) and Benjamin (craniosynistosis: the premature closing of the soft spot causing the skull to grow deformed). By God's grace and the skilled hands of surgeons both boys are doing great today.


Something to think about...

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New work









Covering some basics

As I'm support raising to go to Perth I often find myself answering the question "What exactly are you doing?" generally followed by, "Why?" And as I present myself to new congregations, groups, and/or individuals the ever popular "What was your name again?" which is often accompanied by the "why should I know you? Look" (maybe that last bit is just me being self conscious and paranoid). In an attempt to answer these questions quickly and concisely I put together an all about Shannon "Brochure," if you can call it that, punctuated by just a few of my favorite photos from Oz.

So here you go... all you could ever want to know about me and my yellow road to Oz. Maybe you'll learn something new about me. Maybe you won't. Maybe you can pass it on to a friend who is into art and loves Jesus too (it seems we're a rare breed). And maybe that will help me get closer to being back in Freo.



I tried to make the images bigger... I'm not very tech savvy. Sorry. If you click on it it should come up bigger in a new window. I'm happy to email you the PDF if you want it, or want to pass it on.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Australia update

Well, really it's a copy of the updated support letter I'm sending out... basically, support raising has been really tough. I'm anxious to have my finances met and to be back in Freo...



I am still preparing for a one-year ministry internship in Perth, Australia. This internship will be with the MTW church planting team, my ministry will be focused on fine tuning and utilizing my artistic gifts in community outreach and church development. I am writing to up date you on my progress and once again seek your support.

To say that support raising has been a challenge is a gross understatement. Through this process, I am blessed to be quickly amassing a large prayer support team, however gaining financial support has been a much slower process. It has been about a year sense I was approved by MTW and began this journey. To date, just over 36% of my support has been given/pledged. I cannot leave for Perth until 100% of my financial support has been pledged. My remaining budget needs would be met by $2933 per month for the year I am in Perth.

While I’ve been waiting, God has seen fit to bless my art career here in Wichita. I have continued to paint and have successful shows, resulting in income that has made up 5% of the financial support I have thus far. Currently I am preparing for a show in mid September that will also be used as a fund-raiser for my internship. I am also working locally; living with my parents has enabled me to save a large portion of my income and has aloud me to significantly reduce my budget with MTW.

I would like to once again seek your support as I prepare for ministry in Australia. Please pray with and for me…That God will quickly provide the remaining finances, it is vital to the ministry in Perth that I am on the field by January 1, 2011. That I would be faithful in pursuing all opportunities for support. That God would continue to bless the work I am doing in this time of waiting, that it would not only prepare me to serve in Perth but be a part of my ministry. Pray for the MTW team already in Perth, that they would be encouraged, have the support that they need, and continue to be effective in building our church. Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to join my support team, if 100 people could pledge $30 a month I’d be on my way.

Monday, February 1, 2010

I finally did it...

I got a real, grown up, official (looking at least) website! It's still a work in progress.

I'll still use this blog... for some art, some life, some Australia up dates, and anything else that seem appropriate.... so, stay tuned.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Drawing

The statement is still a bit rough and the drawings still need development... but it is a start...


Having grown up within a transient family, moving often, feelings of displacement were common. In the midst of frequent relocation a consistent family life built an emotionally stable environment. “Home” for me became a mental and emotional construct made from a collection of object, a series of events and relationships. The understanding of home became as fluid and changing as the physical environment.

My drawings use visual pattern appropriated from traditionally domestic objects to reference hose, home as a location. These patterns are repeated and layered up to create an allegory for events that build up an understanding of place, of home. This process results in an organic form, undefined and malleable as the concept of home, floating in an empty field, transient and placeless as the individual.








PS- The big girl website is still in the works... stay tuned

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

FYI...

An "official" website is in the works! As soon as I have something together I'll post a link here. I will be keeping this blog for updates as I prepare for my internship in Perth and while I'm there.

~shannon