How the project began

Conception of the idea
This project, Sowing Dreams: Thought as Matter, began about 12 years ago, when I was invited by a museum director to choose some items from their storage warehouse. The only condition was that I would create art using the items. On seeing an antique, hand-made seed-sower, I immediately thought, "Sowing Dreams". Yet, how could a person sow dreams? I attempted to answer that question by writing down reflections, streams of consciousness, and inspirations; and by simply drawing ideas. I decided that creating a symbolic writing that expressed messages for a healthier world would be appropriate. Eventually, I chose the medium in which to express my approach to sowing dreams.
The medium
Wine residue was used to paint the Abstract images on muslin (a fabric). I chose this because of its association with ancient Sumerian culture.The Sumerian culture is unique because it made the first human quantum leap from picture-making to making symbols that created the first alphabet and writing. Gilgamesh is an example of this Sumerian story-writing. In the story, the goddess Geshtinanna, is revealed as the first diety in written history as the diety of the vineyard and wine. Her attributes are associated with intuition, understanding, forgiveness, and mostly, compassion.
To sow my dreams for healthier personal and community lives, I first made sculptural "plants". Each plant represents a positive message. Then, I made about 2,000 paper seeds, each painted with yellow ochre with a written message, and then cut and rolled into a seed to go inside a muslin bag that I made with the symbols.
Phase One
Is an Art Happening outdoors with people taking seeds from the bags to keep, and to "sow" to other communities by putting them in the antique seed-sower. Each seed also has sowingdreams@hotmail.com written on its backside so people can write in to respond if they thought there is/was or isn't synchronicity or relevance for them choosing the seed. People can also write their own "dream seed" to put in the antique seed-sower. Later, the new seed ideas will emerge in a later phase of the project, in the form of more plants and seed-bags.
Phase TwoCanvas bags are painted with the thought intention/abstract image. People are invited to purchase a message bag. Or, they can purchase a painted box with a full set of "seed" messages placed inside i. People are invited to comment on their experience with the messages intended to sow dreams for a better world. I have had some interesting comments already within the mini market research I conducted.
Phase ThreeThe seeded thoughts will be sown in other communities through art galleries. If your community is interested in participating, please write to let me know.
OngoingFurther discussion, and retail items created to deliver the messages.
Thanks for sharing your time with me and others on this project. I know this blog is simple, it's the first I've done. Actually, I've never even blogged before! So, I'll do my best to serve you with what I know.
PurchasingYou can order canvas bags on this blog or at sowingdreams@hotmail.com Each bag is hand-painted with the intention it expresses, in acrylic paint (makes it washable). I have a set of images on the blog, with #'s to the left of each picture to chose your design and message. I'm currently working to post the messages that coincide with the image (picture). Messages can be printed on the outside or inside of the bag. *Please note that your hand-painted bag will not look absolutely the same as the image on the original wine painted muslin bags, as shown in the set. It's like handwriting - it is never exactly replicated. If you prefer, you may order a bag with a T-shirt transfer for more exactness rather than one painted. Each bag retails for $20 tax included, plus shipping. Thanks again, and enjoy!

Welcome

Welcome, and thank you for visiting, Sowing Dreams: Thought as Matter .