The Art of Remembrance

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Hi Everyone,

Rarely does a day go by that I don’t have a pen or brush in my hand… creating Zenspirations® designs is a form of meditative prayer for me. Most days I write and doodle whatever is in my heart… and this week much of the art I created was about Remembrance. I have two close friends who’s mothers died recently, eight days apart, and I knew that Mother’s Day would be a very difficult day for each of them. Neither lives near me, so I couldn’t go over and give them a hug… instead I made this card, added their name at the top, and e-mailed it along with a short note.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Thinking_of_You_MD

For those of you who downloaded and shared the Remembrance design I posted last week, I’d appreciate your leaving a comment to let me know how our collaborative effort was received. I’d also love to see how you colored and embellished it– as always, you can post a photo in the Zenspirations® Create, Color, Pattern, Play FB Group.

Wednesday was Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and I wanted to create a piece which will help us all keep the flames of justice and memory alive in our hearts. I decided to use a page from my L’Chaim: Celebrate Life, Judaic Expressions to Color & Inspire, and to share the design on Instagram.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Yom_HaShoah

If you are on Instagram and would like to connect, my Instagram name is Zenspirations.

Most of the rest of this week was spent working on new lines of stencils and greeting cards, both of which will be available early summer (yes, I’ll let you know when!), and getting ready for the National Stationery Show. I’m REALLY excited about the big coloring wall which everyone– especially my blog followers– is invited to help color. It will be in the lobby of the Javits Center during the show.

Today I got a 2 1/2 x 10 foot strip so I could test different coloring tools:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Coloring_wall_test_2

It’s a BIG project, and I was pleased when my son volunteered to help color.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Coloring_wall_test_1

So far I’ve tested all my favorite Sakura supplies, as well as crayons, markers, and colored pencils. Most work fine on the paper.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Coloring_wall_test

Here is a close up of the section I’m working on in the photo above:

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Coloring_wall_test_3

If you’ll be in the NY city area this coming Sunday, Monday and/or Tuesday, please come add your creative touch to the wall. Coloring tools will be provided! Several Color & Creativity Enthusiasts are planning to come to the show on Sunday, and we are all going out to dinner Sunday night. If you’ll need a badge to get in to the show I’d be happy to arrange that for you.  And also let me know if you plan to join everyone for dinner so we can make reservations. Hope to see you in New York!

Last week I offered to make a thank you note in their favorite color for the people who were nice enough to write reviews of my books on Amazon. Mary Anne Fellows and Toni Popkin both let me know their favorite color, so in closing tonight I wanted to share the designs I made for them. Thank you ladies– I appreciate you!

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_Thank_You_Mary_Anne

I used most of the same elements, differently arranged.

Zenspirations®_by_Joanne_Fink_TY_Toni

Several people asked how to write a review, and it is REALLY easy. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Go to www.amazon.com, and type Joanne Fink or Zenspirations into the search bar, and a list of all my books will appear.
  2. Click on the book you want to review, and then scroll all the way down until you get to the “Customer Reviews” section.
  3. Click on the button which says “Write a Review”. This will bring up a screen showing five blank stars.
  4. Click on the number of stars you want, and you’ll see a box which says “Write Your Review Here”. Your review can be as long as you like, or as simple as “Great book!”.

The more reviews a book has, the more Amazon promotes it, and you don’t have to have purchased the book on Amazon to write a review. Thank you in advance for taking the time to review which ever of my books you’ve enjoyed; I’d especially appreciate reviews on Birds & Butterflies, Expressions of Nature, Expressions of Faith and Color Peace.

Next week I’ll be writing the blog from New York! Until then…

Stay Zenspired,

Joanne

8 thoughts on “The Art of Remembrance”

  1. Thank you Joanne for the thank you card. I have a Joanne Fink file which I just added it to. I’m so excited to be meeting you and some of our fellow group members in New York! Coloring on the wall will be great fun also; getting to try out supplies I don’t have.
    I colored the Mothers Day card you gave us last week, I posted it and tagged you. My Mom loved it . Thank you.
    See you very soon!
    Toni (and Bud)

  2. HI J ! GREAT … FANTASTIC BLOG ! Hope you have a wonderful time in NY – I’m sure everyone whose lucky enough to spend some time with you will be truly Zenspired !

    Much love to you ! Kath

  3. Your Never Forget picture touches my soul. How beautiful a tribute. The Holocaust is something that touched my heart even as a young child. I often had to wonder whether there COULD be such a thing as reincarnation, because it’s a time period that has always haunted me. I’ve always had to read everything I could get my hands on, survivor stories, and those of the enablers, themselves during Germany’s dark years. Yes, we have to remember what evil can do and the strength of the Jewish people.

  4. Hi Joanne! LOVE the thank you note! You are truly such a gem and I love you for it! I plan to get back on Amazon and make sure I’ve left comments on the books you had requested last week (I actually just ordered the “Nature” book and can’t wait to see it….nature is always my favorite subject for art!)

    Oh how I wish I was going to be in New York, for your visit! But you will all be in my thoughts and prayers, as you get to “meet” some of our favorite Zenspiration gals! Have a terrific time and get lots and lots of pictures!
    Love and blessings,
    Mary Anne <3

    1. Mary Anne!!! I SO Wish you could come too! It would be so nice to meet you in person!
      I will have video to share though!
      Possibly a video chat while we’re there?

  5. Everything you do is beautiful.
    It inspires us to beautify our lives as well.
    There is no such thing as “plain” any more.
    lol

    Letitia

  6. I am looking so forward to the NSS! It will be my 1st time going, & being able to hug Joanne in person… AWESOME!!!

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