Thought-Full Art Studio

A conversation...

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Shop Local/Shop Small

This holiday season, I want to encourage people to shop local/shop small. While the big online and big box stores have been a blessing during the pandemic – and we are all grateful for the services they provide – they are doing pretty well right now. That cannot be said of the countless local/small business operators/vendors/artists/craftspeople. Doors are closing that may never be opened again and we are going into a winter that looks like it is going to make the first wave of the pandemic a walk in the park by comparison.

Within your local community – your circle of friends and family – I am certain there are people who have small businesses. Please consider buying from them first this holiday season. The cheer you spread will not only be to those receiving the gift – but a welcome addition to the lives and dreams of those who are struggling so hard to stay afloat.

Not planning on giving? You are not alone! This year there are so many still without work and more may be out as cities try to get a handle on Covid-19. I urge you to fight against the fatigue of staying in/staying away. It stinks. Wearing a mask is a pain (sometimes literally). But EVERY generation comes up against a test of what they are made of.

Our grandparents had WWI and/or WWII (depending on your age). Some faced the horrific Flu Pandemic of the early 1900s. Our parents faced Korea, the polio epidemic, the Great Depression. More recently we have faced economic black holes, Vietnam, Desert Storm and related conflicts, the AIDs crisis. We have seen the horrors of terrorism in Oklahoma City, and in New York. Some of us have survived several of these crises.

We CAN get through this.

We WILL get through it one way or the other – but I hope that we can get through it with grace, humor, a sense of care and obligation to those around us – and push back on the very human urge to give in and give up and be selfish about what we “want” and think “we deserve”.

Shop local/shop small if you can. It helps. If you cannot shop these days, then just help your neighbor keep moving forward with a kind word, perhaps a helpful hand (masked and at a safe distance). We can all be mindful and thankful for the graces of each day. God bless and keep you and those you love.

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Stay Safe – Help Others Stay Safe

I’ve got a beard. I’ve had one for most of my adult life. In fact, my wife of 43 years has never seen me without one. So masks are not my favorite adornment. But I really want shows to open back up. I want my favorite suppliers to stay in business. I want my wife and I to stay out of the hospital and I want that for my friends, extended family, and my customers. So I wear a mask.

I know that there are a lot of conflicting messages out there – and especially when this all started. We shouldn’t be surprised. We haven’t had a pandemic in this country for several generations. But now we know. It makes a difference. Perfect solution? Absolutely not. We need more testing so we know who actually needs to remain quarantined and who can return safely to work, and a vaccine. But, in the meantime, wearing a mask helps. Washing our hands helps. Social distancing helps.

There are so many things I cannot do to help make this whole situation better. But I can do these three things without even blinking an eye or breaking into a sweat. So why would I NOT? The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is a whole lot easier to maintain outside a hospital.

Be safe and help others to be safe as well. Peace.

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Stay Safe

All spring shows have been cancelled. While several hope to reschedule in the Fall, we won’t know for some time. My prayer is that each of you remain safe and can avoid this disease.

My wife and I are practicing shelter in place. We are grateful for the world of technology that allows us to stay in contact with friends and family by telephone, email, and virtual meetings. I hope that you are finding ways to stay connected.

To the health professionals, first responders, and the many people who are continuing to work in essential businesses, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your service is critical for us to get through this. We know that an unprecedented number of people are suffering terrible economic issues and that is heart breaking.

We are going to beat this thing. We must practice social distancing and do our very best when we must get out to protect ourselves – and to protect others – by respecting the laws of science in regard to this virus. The more we do this, the quicker this will be over and the faster we can all get back together and work to rebuild what has been lost and damaged.

God bless you and keep you during this time.

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Corona Virus and Show Impacts

Please visit my Show page for information on Spring 2020 shows. As would be expected, it has become necessary for show officials to postpone and/or cancel large gatherings as everyone works to stop the progress of this virus within communities.

I want to encourage everyone to at least take the minimum precautions when out and about in your communities. Each of us can have a positive impact by simply maintaining responsible behaviors toward ourselves and others.

  1. Wash your hands longer and more frequently.
  2. Keep hands away from your face and the faces of others.
  3. For now, a shoulder bump is better than a handshake.
  4. Stay informed and stay calm.
  5. Respect those who are in high risk categories (elderly and/or those with preexisting health conditions) by following the previous suggestions.
  6. And stop hoarding toilet paper. Really. Stop.

Be safe and be kind and I look forward to when this is behind us and we can once again have a fun time at some of the great festivals around the country.

And a reminder – you can order from me on this website! Thanks!