Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

13 December

Flower Art. Yellow Effects Our Emotions – In Some Ways, The Strongest Color. Flower Dream: What Does A Photo Dream Look Like?

by Jon Katz

Yellow affects our emotions. Its primary action is to trigger emotional responses. It impacts the nervous system—which transmits signals to and from the brain to the rest of the body—making yellow the strongest color in psychological terms. Darker, more intensely saturated blues stimulate the mind, while lighter, less saturated blues can soothe and calm it.

– Karen Haller, The Little Book Of Colour, How to use the Psychology of Colour to Transform your life.

(Above – Maria’s Amaryllis, a gift, is opening up.)

 

 

 

 

What does a photo dream look like?

Photo dream two.

 

13 December

Sue Silverstein’s Column: “Thanks, The Donations Are Over The Moon…”

by Jon Katz

Sue told me that she was “over the moon” with the donations to her art program. That is wonderful to hear. Thanks, and have a wonderful and meaningful holiday. I can’t thank you enough for supporting this outstanding teacher and her fantastic work with her art program. You make it all possible, and you are much appreciated. Sue’s column is on Bedlamfarm.com every Friday; it is a privilege to have her here.  She is part saint and part magician. -Jon Katz

News from the Art Room – Rainy and Dark Days

These days in December are some of the darkest of the year.

After such an extraordinarily lovely Autumn, we have had a stretch of rain and snow that shortens the daylight hours but does not dampen the spirits in the art room. There is unabashed joy. The sparkles, velvet ribbons, greenery, and Christmas are everywhere. Wreaths are being made, quilts are being sewn, and sculptures are being created—ornaments and gifts are in progress. The middle schoolers are making giant wall-size pop art trees, and the high schoolers are refinishing a wonderful chest donated by Rick several months ago for the school’s fundraiser in the Spring.

Paige and her crew were putting final changes on the window display today. It is so full of fancy; it makes me smile and think about it. The piece contains a beloved tea set gifted to a young woman by her father, silverware donated by several people, Christmas trains and treasures, vintage linens, doll chairs we saved for a special occasion, and some pretty incredible food art.

I love to watch the process. Every detail is essential. Sugar cubes are made from painted cubes and glitter, hot chocolate with marshmallows, and finger sandwiches are made from mattress foam and paint. There are even styrofoam olives on toothpicks! I found some tiny lights at Dollar Tree (my favorite store), and tomorrow, we will place the finished product upstairs in its place of honor!

Emma is making her first quilt from your donated Christmas fabrics and is beyond excited.

Many kids have made beautiful wreaths from the donated boxes of trimmings and treasure.

Several students were delighted to find things they could give a loved one when money was tight.

I asked for help with Holiday items, and you never fail! The response has been beyond what we could have imagined.  It is like when the Grinch returns the sled full of Christmas to Whoville and the Who have Christmas back. They did not need the items to live and love but were happy. Primarily, they are creating to give it away and spread their joy.

We have spent some time working with oil pastels and shading techniques. 7th grade Trinity drew such a beautiful ribbon that it stunned even her older siblings!

When we return from the break, we will refocus and return to work preparing for an art exhibit in January.  As I said before, it is joyful!

Once again, this week, I have so many to thank! We are blessed.

Bonnie from MA sent an excellent donation box that the Hammers from NY delivered. They have been so very generous to our program. The box contains huge, stretched canvases for repainting. Everyone has claimed them and has a save-for-me name tag already! I cannot wait to see what they do. The largest will go to 12th-grade Thomas, who intends to wow us all with his signature senior painting.

Michelle also dropped off a beautiful carload of donations, each more memorable than the last. She included an Amazon Gift card as well. There is always a ‘I wish I had….to finish this project.” Thank you, Michelle.

Mary Lou drove from Syracuse yesterday (about three hours); it was pouring and nasty the whole trip. I asked her if she had other businesses in the area, and she said no. She did that trip with many amazing things to help my kids. There are no words for that. I asked her to let me know if she had made it home okay, and she did.

Thank you to Anne from NC for the beautiful yarns, papers, inks, and more.

Thank you to Carolanne from NY, a box of goodies with endless possibilities.

Our beloved Andrea from MA sent the ultimate Christmas box. The students loved all the items; everything was already on its way home or in use! Thank you, Andrea!

Thank you to the anonymous donor who sent fluff; next week is pillow week!

If you have extra stuffing for pillows around the house, it goes fast during gift-making seasons! We always seek donations for anything you feel could be made into something new! Rolled gauze, wire, glassware, canvas, art supplies, heavy foil, pinecones, glue sticks, seashells, sea glass, bottle corks, sandpaper, and wood. I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected] 

Have a blessed day!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304

13 December

Christmas Is Coming To The Cambridge Pantry : Let’s Do Some Good! Cleanning Up For The Holidays, Sarah’s Request Today: Paper Towels (Six Double Rolls, $7.28) And Kids Shampoo, (Pack Of 6, $22.68)

by Jon Katz

It’s clean-up time for the families of the Cambridge Food Pantry. Sarah is interested in doing some clean-up work, and she hopes we can help her get some paper towels and kids’ shampoo onto the pantry shelves; they are out of both. I also found a bargain special, scented Irish bar soap. School is letting out family Christmases, which are being planned, and it is time for a clean-up for health and morale.

Thanks so much for your help.

We are grateful for any help you can provide. These items are currently available at discounted rates on the Amazon Wish List Program.

One woman told me her daughters have been invited to two Christmas parties: “we don’t have the money to do what we would like for them, but we want them to be clean and feel good and look good.

I hope you can help.

These items are currently discounted on the Amazon Wish List Program. You can also access the wish list by clicking the green button at the bottom of every blog post.

Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls =12 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value Paper Towel with Full and Half Sheets, $7.28.

 

Suave Kids 3-in-1 Tear Free, Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioners, Dermatologist Tested, Watermelon Wonder, 18 oz Pack of 6, $22.68.

__________

Bargain Special: (Pack of 3 Bars) Irish Spring Original Scent Bar Soap for Men & Women. 12-Hour Odor/Deodorant Protection! For Healthy Feeling Skin. Great for Hands, Face & Body! (3 Bars, 3.75 oz Each Bar), $6,49, Pack of 3. 

 

13 December

Morning At Bedlam Farm, A Blue Jay, Zip, Two Hens, Two Donkeys, St. Joe And The Morning Sun

by Jon Katz

This morning was good. I helped someone in pain stop hurting,  I got food to a hungry family with no money, I told a woman who suggested I was cruel to Zip to blow it out of her ass, and I felt great about doing it.

My morning sit with the birds has become a thing, a morning meditation. I sit outside Maria’s studio, where the bird feeders are. The Blue Jays are not intimidated by me; they chase all the other birds off and chow down. This is a beautiful way to start the day, as chilly as it is today.

 

Zip has never lived inside a house which fits him fine: snow and cold light him up.

When I trekked out with the camera this morning, I was shivering. The sun had just come up, and Zip was pleased to lie down on the cold skate—there were blankets in his box a few feet away. When I scratched his neck, his fur was shockingly surprisingly warm. No fools, cats.

 

 

The donkeys soak up the sun like the cats. As long as the son is out, they are out.

In the winter, the hens gather beneath the bird feeder. Great seeds are dropping out of the sky.

Uncle Jo, as we call him, asked for a beautiful day. He got one.

The Blue Jay should have spent more time chasing a finch away from the feeder.

 

12 December

Flower Art: In The Cold, In The Snow, In The Rain: Color And Light

by Jon Katz

In Japan, blue means fidelity; it is also one of the colors of good luck.  Yellow is associated with pornography in China. It is also the color of emperors.  In America, orange is the pumpkin’s color and symbolizes Halloween. I think I have all of them in this post.

I’ve decided to move my photography inside this week because of the cold, rain, snow, and wind. It’s working for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Amaryllis is opening up a gift from Maria. I’ll keep track of it.

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