Thought for the Day

We must speak honestly—but also wisely.

~ Ellen Davis

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Quoted in W. David O. Taylor, Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life (Nelson Books, 2020), page 1 Epigraph, from Ellen F. Davis, Getting Involved with God: Rediscovering the Old Testament (Westminster John Knox, 2014), page xi

Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School (See pdf of Davis's CV.)

Thought for the Day

The full embrace of all humanity lifts the standards

of any human endeavor. 

 

A world without caste would set everyone free.

~ Isabel Wilkerson

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Quoted from Isabel Wilkerson, "Epilogue", Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents (Random House, 2020), pages 385, 388

Isabel Wilkerson, Writer and Author; University Teacher and Lecturer; Winner, Pulitzer Prize, National Humanities Medal, National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction

Isabel Wilkerson on FaceBook

Isabel Wilkerson on Twitter

New Artist Watch Feature at Escape Into Life

 

The Resting Huntress, bclay, mason stains, glaze, c.10

10.5" x 11" x 9"

© Nancy Pirri

PLEASE DO NOT COPY IMAGE

First featured at Escape Into Life in 2011, Nancy Pirri has provided us an opportunity to feature images of some of her latest work, which appear in today's new Artist Watch column.

Nancy discovered her passion, working with clay, in 1996, although she has "dabbled" in every art form, she says. Her work focuses on the universal "Every Woman" and her "struggle to find emotional balance." Nancy most recently was showcased in SOFA EXPO 2019 (now known as Intersect Chicago), where she exhibited her commissioned piece "My Choice" in a special show titled "Women's Rights Anniversaries". Brooklyn-born, Nancy maintains a studio in Chicago, where she also resides.

Nancy has provided a number of images for today's Artist Watch, including close-ups showing the texture, expression, attitude, or gestures of her clay figures. In addition to photos, today's feature includes an updated profile and Artist Statement.

Thought for the Day

The gift the artist offers to share with us is the mindful and

prayerful act of seeing, for, in order to make material from their

 thought and ideas, they have to spend time noticing, looking

 intently and making careful observation of the minutiae of things;

 the negative spaces between objects, the expression and emotion

 of faces, the effect of light and shadow, shades of colour, 

the variety of texture, shape and form. This act of seeing slows us

 down and invites us to pay attention to the moment, to be still, 

not to rush and only take a quick glance but instead to come

into relationship with the world around it. This is a form of prayer

where we become detached from our own limited perspective and

make way for a wider[,] more compassionate understanding

of ourselves, others and the world we inhabit.

 ~ Lesley Sutton

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Quoted from Lesley Sutton, Be Still Project Booklet, PassionArt, in Jonathan Evens, "Seeing is Receiving: The art of  contemplation (1)", December 24, 2020

Lesley Sutton, Director, PassionArt; Curator; Fibre Artist

PassionArt

Be Still Project

Thought for the Day

Every journey needs to include points at which we rest,

recuperate and reflect before moving on . . . .

~ Rev. Jonathan Evens

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Quoted from Rev. Jonathan Evens, "See is Receiving: The art of contemplation (1)", December 24, 2020

Rev. Jonathan Evens, Associate Vicar for Partnership Development, St. Martin-in-the-Fields; Art Writer

Thought for the Day

Yes I know: the thread you have to keep finding, over again, to

follow it back to life; I know. Impossible, sometimes.

~ Jean Valentine

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Quoted from Jean Valentine Poem "Sanctuary" in Copper Canyon Press Remembrance "In Memory of Jean Valentine (1934-2020)

Jean Valentine Website

 

Jean Valentine Profile at The Poetry Foundation