Caroline Coolidge Brown
  • Home
  • What's New??
  • 100 Million Gallons
  • Portfolio
    • Sea of Stories
    • Patterns & Pieces
    • Blue Sky Thinking
    • Botanical Prints
    • Mountain Monoprints
    • In the Spirit
    • Mixed Media
    • Linoleum Prints
    • Commissions
    • Journals
  • Workshops
  • About Me
  • Musings & Newsings
  • Contact

Delaware...Dela-WHAT?

7/30/2017

Comments

 
Picture
My adventure continues with a new plot twist - Kevin and I are moving to Wilmington, Delaware in October! We are incredibly honored that my sweet, smart husband Kevin, an Episcopal priest and rector of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Charlotte, has been elected to become the 11th Bishop of Delaware. Wow, just Wow.

We have known this was a possibility all spring, so this theme has been showing up in my journals for a few months. Funny how when something is on your mind, your hands seem to find just the right pieces!

Picture
The life of a priest or pastor isn't easy; it's a job that requires (among other things)  humility, humor, patience, strength, kindness, wisdom, and very public speaking. Plus, after you finish at the "office," you must come home and change hats to focus on being dad and husband. But surely the hardest part, for the priest and his family, are the moves. You live with a parish and become a vital part of that community, sharing joys and sorrows with these new friends, and watching your children grow up with theirs. Then the "call" comes again and we move back into transition, knowing that we could easily have lived happily ever after right there.

Picture
New York, NY
Picture
Paris, TN
Picture
Charlotte, NC
We moved to New York City when our children were 6 and 8 years old, leaving dear friends at Grace St. Luke's in Memphis to meet new ones at General Seminary. Three years later, we picked up again, settling into a great life at Grace Church in Paris, Tennessee. Another three years down the road, we moved to Charlotte and made Holy Comforter our home for seven incredible years.

This story sounds like just a lot of calendar numbers, but the truest meaning and memories of each of these places are the people who loved us before they met us. We were privileged to become an instant part of their family and we cared for them deeply. We still care for them deeply. 

The tears will begin when we pack up the house, and start heading down the road. It's part of the job. But I believe it is the hardest part. 

Delaware, we are excited to know you as our new family. We are eager to know what the Holy Spirit has in mind for this chapter of our lives and to discover how we will work together to make the world a better place. We love you already. And we are so happy to add your branch to the Brown family tree.
Comments

Spirit Animals Revisited

7/13/2017

Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Spirit Animals was the theme for the May Mixed Media Clambake class. Students chose animal photos and we made four-fold books, exploring the ways that these symbolic animals relate to our lives. 

I was surprised to find myself choosing the Snake for my book project. I've often dreamed of snakes (not always a pleasant dream!) and just the day before, I'd found something beautiful that inspired me: a snakeskin on the labyrinth path where I was walking and praying.
​
A smart Bishop friend once told me, "God speaks to you in the language that you understand." I find that God speaks to me frequently through imagery - flowers, birds, oceans and now snakeskin. I was reminded of a snake's ability to shed its skin and start over; reminded that the snake is small but powerful. 

Picture
Picture

In times of uncertainty, transition or change, it is normal to feel like you are being tossed about and turned upside down. This book project brought me unexpected relief and reassurance in my own ability to use some strong snake mojo!

I always enjoy working with four-fold books. You start with a large single piece of paper and work all over with colors and patterns. Then you make four folded creases, one cut and then with a magical origami-like maneuver, you have a book! The fun really starts as you add imagery and words on each small page. 

In my Snake Mojo book, I added my snakeskin taped into clear plastic, a secret message under a cut spiral, and a colorful velum version of my green snake illustration. I also used a bit of green yarn to tie in a card with some of my labyrinth journaling. You can see the full page unfolded below.

Picture
Visual journaling often surprises me like this. I start out with images or words and begin to layer paint and journal my thoughts. It's completely therapeutic! If you want to try it, please come to one of my monthly clambakes. Or check out this book by one of my favorite artists: The Art Journal Workshop by Traci Bunkers. 

​You can see more of my visual journaling pages here.
Comments

    News from 
    the Studio

    new art, classes, & ideas

    Archives

    September 2021
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly