That was almost 20 years ago now, and what I had literally stumbled into is called Dark Elegy, by artist and mother, Suse Ellen Lowenstein. What I saw lay in front of me and around me, a few bodies clustered here, a few there, a body all alone, another, and another. When I walked through the space between them and looked upon their obvious pain I got lost in it with them. I am an artist, and so yes, art moves me, but I can say that no other sculptural work has ever had the effect on me that Dark Elegy has had. It haunted me – and it haunts me still.

Suse Ellen Lowenstein's Dark Elegy

The day I fell upon Dark Elegy I did not make it to class. I just could not walk away from it. And by the time it occurred to me that I had been on my way somewhere it was too late to show up. So I stayed. And I listened to the pain pour out of these figures, and I walked through the space they enveloped; they almost seemed to stretch theat space. My head began to swim and knew I had reached my threshold; I walked back to my dorm, back up to my room and layed down for a while. A long while…

In the following days I found out what Dark Elegy was and it bound me to the University like nothing else had – as a student, as an artist, as an American. It had been created in the 5-6 year span that followed the destruction of Pan Am flight 103 on December 21, 1988. The terrorist bombing killed everyone on board as well as 11 residents of Lockerbie, Scotland – 270 people, among them 35 Syracuse University students. One of them was Suse Ellen Lowenstein’s 21 year old son, Alexander.

Almost 20 years later, in the summer of 2011 I finally saw Dark Elegy again – at the home of its creator, where it awaits a permanent home of its own. It is not situated the same way as when I first experienced it. The women are not spaced over a large grassy area, with clusters and lone figures appearing as though they have just fallen there from some other world, some other existence. A visitor can not walk through the figures the way I did all those years ago, instead you walk around the group as a whole. It is a powerful and moving sight, and I urge people to visit this monumental work. You may even be lucky enough to talk with the artist herself and explore her other works. I sincerely hope that when a permanent home is found for Dark Elegy that it is placed as it was when I first experienced it. Until then it can be seen on Long Island, New York, and it is something every American should see.

If you are not familiar with the epic tragedy that began with the murder of 270 innocent people and continued through the release of convicted bomber al-Megrahi in 2009, and right on till today – then please click on these links and read on. Terrorism relies on ignorance and fear. Learn from the past, don’t hide from it. Recognize the ripples that course through our world till this very day.

The Giants rocked Superbowl 46 & I’m rockin this awesome bag…
Designed to show your team pride in style – Someone point me to the parade!

Let me tell you, there’s no problem getting butts in the seats when my family cooks. But we are not content to get just your taste buds tingling, we are going to give your eyes a treat too. So what’s just as important as the turkey and gravy? Making your home and holiday table welcoming, unique and environmentally friendly…

Going green - Beautiful, home-made, eco-conscious centerpieces

We all know it’s super-trendy to go green, and oh yeah, it helps the environment and our communities too. So, there’s no better time to incorporate this movement into your holiday celebration.

Come on people, here’s your chance to get creative and wow your guests not only with your culinary skills, but with your crafty little ways as well. Here’s a beautiful example of a home-made centerpiece which is edible and locally cultivated.

The star of the piece is the artichoke, which will make a delicious stuffed artichoke dish in the days after the holiday (there are two of these beauties on the table, so you will definitely have enough for the whole family to enjoy.)

The flora came from picking wild flowers around the yard and in the neighborhood before they ended their cycle, and then drying them in bunches. There are also fresh herbs in there from the family herb garden; accenting the green of the artichoke. And pulling it all together are the surrounding fruits; the orange persimmons and the red pomegranate - which will be enjoyed with dessert later on - Mangia bene, vivi felice!

As an artist and writer I am moved by images and words, especially those that come from a place of previous silence and deep struggle. These are not things that are easy to see and hear, but then again the important things usually aren’t easy. I have just seen a remarkable movie, made by a talented woman, Sara Neeson, and featuring a courageous U.S. Veteran, Robynn Murray.

Not only is the movie Poster Girl a voice for Robynn and other veterans, but watching these combat veterans find their art through a search for a way to heal is at the heart of what art is. If you let it, art can be catharsis.

This Veterans Day check out these pages and find out what is happening to the veterans of this generation… The people your age, your children’s age. Listen to their words and look into their eyes. They have something really important to say, and many more people need to pay attention… I’m glad I’ve got yours for the moment, please click on…

Warrior Writers:

Combat Paper Project:

Delicious
Homemade
Garden-grown
Organic
Yummy

Mmmm…Sounds good, yes? Well, with Thanksgiving, family & friend get-togethers, office parties and the major gift-giving season right around the corner this is one name you’ll want to remember: g’licious goodies.

Some words from the food artist at g’licious goodies…

Homemade 100% natural jellies, jams and goodies!
Made from the heart, from my kitchen to yours…
These jams, butters, spreads & other goodies are low in sugar,
made using the best organic ingredients (some from my very own garden!) and
are full of great taste. All products are made using locally grown and sustainable
products as often as possible.

Sterilized and water-bath processed for a shelf-life of up to one year; once opened keep refrigerated. I am happy to accept custom orders so if you have a craving for something unique and made especially for you, just call or
email and ask for it… and don’t forget to inquire about event gifts too!
Contact info: 516- 308-1778 or glicious.goodies@gmail.com

Artists are donating their artwork to an online auction geared
towards raising awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Research.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The Painted Bra Project
has drawn in hundreds of artistic creations from all over the nation.
One of these BRAsterpiece, “Monroe Pop” was created by Amie Giordano
and it is available right now to view and to Like on Facebook! And if
you love her, please bid on her when the auction begins on October 14th.
She’s the original Blonde Bombshell, she’s a 36C and she glows in the dark!

The online auction via Facebook will start Friday, October 14th and end Saturday, October 22nd 2011. To find “Monroe Pop” by Amie Giordano just look in the BRAsterpieces Album 2, she’s #100! Like her today and Bid on her at auction time… Keep on spreading hope for a cancer free world.

The SUNY stage may have been home to Oscar winner Natalie Portman for Black Swan in 2010 ~ but in 2011, for the ninth year, the City Center Dancers took center stage and wowed a packed house of family, friends and dance lovers during their Student Showcase…

It was a fabulous performance that showcased all the hard work that the Artistic Director, Dance instructors and the students have put in all year-long ~ complete with flying capes, Extraterrestrials and glowing tap dancers!

Congratulations to everyone! Can’t wait to see what you have
planned for year number 10!!!

From humble beginnings to utter lusciousness - Homegrown Figs are fabulous. Look at the tiny little fig that emerged during the cold winter months!

Ahh, Earth Day, when we humble creatures do something beneficial for Mother Earth. Now, no sermons, but we should all be doing things that benefit Mother Earth on a regular basis. Yeah, you in the back, playing with your phone under the table thinking no one sees it, that means you – and we see it!

Earth Day falls on Good Friday this year. So for those who celebrate the Easter Holiday this is a wonderful opportunity to do something extra special.

The pictures will speak volumes, but a little background first… and no, that is not a funky art installation, those are the fig trees all cozy during their long winter’s nap.

Many people who have gardens and fruit trees have tended them for years, decades, and even for generations. This means that a tree that bears fruit for you and your family today may have made the journey here with your great-great-great-grandmother or grandfather. And it means that each generation has learned from the one before on how to care for these beloved trees. Traditions such as these are passed on orally and physically. There is love and hard work involved, two things that go hand in hand when you want to create beautiful, lasting things. In honor of Earth Day and Good Friday, let’s take a look at three generations participating in a very old world tradition – the uncovering of the Fig Trees…

Home improvement specialist, Mike Giordano of Sev-Roc Building Corp is an expert on homes and gardens. With skills that have been perfected over decades, craftsmanship that comes from the inside out, and an experienced hand that works wonders in a modern world, his greatest skill is in creating sustainable things of true value - not just for his customers, but for himself as well - a family, a home, and a garden.

For decades his father tended to the fig trees he had planted in his own garden. When he passed on Mike took over the tasks of unearthing them, protecting and nurturing them during the spring and summer months, the oh-so anticipated harvesting, and “burying” them for their winter hibernation – and so, the fig trees in his father’s garden still thrive and give fruit that the whole family enjoys. Now, there was a time when he actually did bury them the same way as his father always had. If you didn’t know any better you might think the family pets had been buried in the back yard when you saw the graves in the garden. But no, those were buried fig trees. These days an above ground “burial” works just as well for him - termed tree-wrapping. The trees are bound, insulated and wrapped in weather-proof plastic. The pictures show the 2011 “unwrapping” of the fig trees. Here’s to a bountiful harvest! Enjoy…

Well, top honors went to Mary Jo Ondrejka, Margaret Hartka, and Bryn Metzdorf this year. They created the winning diorama “Chilean CoPeepapo Mine Rescue” which was, of course, inspired by the successful rescue of the trapped Chilean miners. Congrats to the 2011 winners!

Building dioramas out of Peeps – spectacular! I saw this mad, crazy, wonderful contest last year for the first time, and I have been looking forward to seeing the 2011 entries and winning design. This year marks the fifth year that the Washington Post has held the Peeps Show, and from the images, Peeps Show V was a visual delight yet again.

Indulge in the sugary art and creativity that these Peep masters have displayed ~ and consider building your own next year. Take a look at this year’s entries, winning design and past entries via The Washington Post, they are absolutely amazing…

Image from The Washington Post - Peeps Show V Winner "Chilean CoPeepapo Mine Rescue"