All for Love
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Hello friends, While walking out of an ice cream shop yesterday, I saw a faded scrap of fabric stapled to a utility pole. People had stuck their old wood ice cream spoons into holes in the pole around the fabric, creating a mini art and sculpture installation. I recognized the fabric, of course, as being an old piece from local artist Shanalee Hampton. I have several of her embroidery pieces hanging in our home, having been introduced to her work by outdoor installations just like this one. The outdoor pieces become part of the space they are in, changing with time and the seasons, growing sodden with rain, then drying and baking in the summer sun. They weather, and change, just like we do. I appreciate that. The message on this scrap is one that is close to my heart. “All of this is for love” it read. Isn’t that the truth? All the art that moves me is for love. All the activism I cherish is for love. It has to be. Rooted in love, the world matters once again. Rooted in love, the anger becomes bearable. Rooted in love, what we create has meaning. Rooted in love, we connect once again. I have a longer essay percolating on the same topic, which makes the serendipity of a chance stop for a frozen treat leading to seeing Shanalee’s art all the more poignant. Sometimes the universe conspires to show me the message that I need. This week, after dealing with some of the world’s hatred, it was beautiful to be reminded that the thing that keeps me going—no matter how annoyed, or angry, or tired I may feel—will always be… Love. Best wishes — Thorn
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T. Thorn Coyle
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