HEARTFELT DOLLS JAMMIN' WITH JAM TV
I was invited to participate in a documentary called "This Town" produced by JAM TV.
This 8 part series presents ordinary people with a passion,
with a sense of belonging to their community.
Like syncopation in a piece of music,
this documentary accents those who would not usually be accented.
This experience, both surreal and profound,
helped me realise that
"The things that you are passionate about are not random.
They are your calling."
Fabienne Frederickson
For a person who avoids the camera whenever possible,
whose natural instinct is to work behind the scenes and enable others,
a Mother's Day spent in front of a lens, with a microphone taped to my shirt,
was way outside of my comfort zone.
But whenever we participate fully,
actively, consciously, attentively,
there are always many blessings bestowed.
On reflection, I received and continue to receive, these gifts ...
This 8 part series presents ordinary people with a passion,
with a sense of belonging to their community.
Like syncopation in a piece of music,
this documentary accents those who would not usually be accented.
This experience, both surreal and profound,
helped me realise that
"The things that you are passionate about are not random.
They are your calling."
Fabienne Frederickson
For a person who avoids the camera whenever possible,
whose natural instinct is to work behind the scenes and enable others,
a Mother's Day spent in front of a lens, with a microphone taped to my shirt,
was way outside of my comfort zone.
But whenever we participate fully,
actively, consciously, attentively,
there are always many blessings bestowed.
On reflection, I received and continue to receive, these gifts ...
The gift of community ...
|
I live in the geographic community of Ngongotaha.
It is the sunny side of the mountain of the same name. I grew up in the shadow of Mt Ngongotaha. This is my home, my turangawaeae, my place of belonging. |
I am blessed to be a member of a community called 'family'.
The dolls above are tactile reminders of events and people in my family story.
I am also a member of a community - my 'age group'.
The birthday dolls below celebrate my membership of this group:-)
The dolls above are tactile reminders of events and people in my family story.
I am also a member of a community - my 'age group'.
The birthday dolls below celebrate my membership of this group:-)
I am a member of an arts' community that challenges and explores social epidemics, such a workplace bullying ...
... and raises awareness of important health issues, such as Breast Cancer ...
PEARL AND GLAM AT THE MAMMOGRAM SLAM PHOTO BY NATASCHA HARTZUIKER
... and the rapid increase of dementia in our society.
I am a member of a worldwide community that meditates together and alone ...
... and another that greets the dawn with a Salutation to the Sun.
The gift of laughter ...
It is OK to laugh,
to guffaw and to giggle.
More than OK, it is healthy and life-giving.
Laughter draws us together in shared experiences.
It can dispel frustration and fear
and transform our attitude.
to guffaw and to giggle.
More than OK, it is healthy and life-giving.
Laughter draws us together in shared experiences.
It can dispel frustration and fear
and transform our attitude.
Doll-maker Noreen Crone-Findlay wrote,
"Simply having fun while questing for depth and meaning,
can add untold zest and joy to living."
The Smiles Project, each doll with their own oversize smile, embodied this for me
as I journeyed through the pain of divorce.
"Simply having fun while questing for depth and meaning,
can add untold zest and joy to living."
The Smiles Project, each doll with their own oversize smile, embodied this for me
as I journeyed through the pain of divorce.
The gift of stewardship ...
We are all called to be stewards -
of ideas,
of skills,
of relationships,
of places and spaces.
None of these are for our sole consumption
but to enable and empower all those we encounter to become their best selves.
I am a steward of Heartfelt Dolls,
or rather it is a mutual relationship.
I give them a form and a voice.
and they, to paraphrase Pablo Picasso,
are "...just another way of keeping a diary."
They reflect my thoughts and musings.
They enable me to transform disaster into hope;
desolation into healing.
They are my soul companions.
of ideas,
of skills,
of relationships,
of places and spaces.
None of these are for our sole consumption
but to enable and empower all those we encounter to become their best selves.
I am a steward of Heartfelt Dolls,
or rather it is a mutual relationship.
I give them a form and a voice.
and they, to paraphrase Pablo Picasso,
are "...just another way of keeping a diary."
They reflect my thoughts and musings.
They enable me to transform disaster into hope;
desolation into healing.
They are my soul companions.
The gift of our uniqueness ...
|
I often struggle with being 'different'. Through this experience, I have come to believe it is always OK to be authentic, to be my true self. It is OK to respond to my calling to create dolls. Doll-maker Pamela Hastings wrote, "Each person is born with a unique capacity for creativity. If you don't give voice to yours, it will never be heard." May I have the courage to share my true voice. |
SURROUNDED BY MY HEARTFELT DOLLS
|
The gift of the pause ...
There is joy in waiting,
in anticipation,
in having a breather!
There is a generosity of spirit
in allowing others to do their job;
to apply their skills and giftedness.
in anticipation,
in having a breather!
There is a generosity of spirit
in allowing others to do their job;
to apply their skills and giftedness.
The gift of connection ...
We connect through community,
whether short-term or long-term,
virtual or face-to-face.
We connect through shared story;
through reminiscing;
through active and reflective listening.
whether short-term or long-term,
virtual or face-to-face.
We connect through shared story;
through reminiscing;
through active and reflective listening.
The gift of those who raise me up ...
During filming,
I came to realise that almost anything is possible
when we know we are loved;
when we accept the generosity of those who wish to help us;
when we respond to the enervating vision of creative genies:-)
I came to realise that almost anything is possible
when we know we are loved;
when we accept the generosity of those who wish to help us;
when we respond to the enervating vision of creative genies:-)
After filming was over,
I was asked "Where do you feel it?"
I answered,
"I feel it in my toes.
I want to dance."
So I created two dolls who want to dance:-)
"and forget not that
the earth delights to feel your bare feet,
and the wind longs to play with your hair."
Kahlil Gibran
I was asked "Where do you feel it?"
I answered,
"I feel it in my toes.
I want to dance."
So I created two dolls who want to dance:-)
"and forget not that
the earth delights to feel your bare feet,
and the wind longs to play with your hair."
Kahlil Gibran
Thank you, Dean, Megan, Bevan, Andy and Lisa
for taking me on this journey of self-discovery.
Thank you, my heartfelt dolls,
for being my companions.
Heartfelt gratitude to my daughter, Julie, for taking photographs of my day with the crew.
Without her photographic record,
I would largely have been unaware of the creative genies recording me,
especially at The Arts Village.
We are all human beings seeking to become the best people we can be.
There are so many people willing to companion us on this journey.
Isn't that wonderful news?
for taking me on this journey of self-discovery.
Thank you, my heartfelt dolls,
for being my companions.
Heartfelt gratitude to my daughter, Julie, for taking photographs of my day with the crew.
Without her photographic record,
I would largely have been unaware of the creative genies recording me,
especially at The Arts Village.
We are all human beings seeking to become the best people we can be.
There are so many people willing to companion us on this journey.
Isn't that wonderful news?
ARTICLE IN ROTORUA DAILY POST
THE DOLL MAKER AND CONSERVE CANTAVIT
The Doll Maker is the first in a series of seven dolls
immortalizing my experience with a boutique film company called Jam TV.
I have called this series "The Doll Maker and Conserve Cantavit".
All the dolls are in the steam punk genre.
It was a wonderful opportunity
to use items that I have been gifted over the years;
to inject beloved items into a new story;
to contemplate an experience that was both surreal and profound;
to push the boundaries of my doll making.
While making each doll, with its unique personality,
I came to deeply appreciate the giftedness and creativity of the crew.
I am filled with gratitude for this glimpse into the world of film.
immortalizing my experience with a boutique film company called Jam TV.
I have called this series "The Doll Maker and Conserve Cantavit".
All the dolls are in the steam punk genre.
It was a wonderful opportunity
to use items that I have been gifted over the years;
to inject beloved items into a new story;
to contemplate an experience that was both surreal and profound;
to push the boundaries of my doll making.
While making each doll, with its unique personality,
I came to deeply appreciate the giftedness and creativity of the crew.
I am filled with gratitude for this glimpse into the world of film.
The Time Turner is the director.
This is a person who can hold a completed vision in his head.
But not only can he visualise the completed product,
he is able to break it down into its many parts,
juggle and manipulate these parts,
play with time and sequence and order,
and then create a new whole that realises his vision.
I am in awe.
This is a person who can hold a completed vision in his head.
But not only can he visualise the completed product,
he is able to break it down into its many parts,
juggle and manipulate these parts,
play with time and sequence and order,
and then create a new whole that realises his vision.
I am in awe.
MS Lotse is the Production Assistant.
She is a woman of considerable talent,
and carries much responsibility.
She is a time-keeper, an administrator,
an enabler and facilitator,
a carrier of equipment and possibility.
MS Lotse is polyvalent, a many-layered woman,
looking to become the best person she can be.
Our lives are richer because of her passion and her drive:-)
She is a woman of considerable talent,
and carries much responsibility.
She is a time-keeper, an administrator,
an enabler and facilitator,
a carrier of equipment and possibility.
MS Lotse is polyvalent, a many-layered woman,
looking to become the best person she can be.
Our lives are richer because of her passion and her drive:-)
BC Lux is a cameraman -
a manipulator of light and a capturer of images.
Sleeves rolled up,
armed with a 'can-do' attitude,
prepared for any eventuality.
Where do the images go?
Has this man captured a part of my soul?
Perhaps capturing a digital image is similar to creating a doll -
a way
to honour;
to entertain;
to remember;
to transform;
to tell stories;
to stimulate discussion and reflection;
to reveal the essence of what it is to be human.
a manipulator of light and a capturer of images.
Sleeves rolled up,
armed with a 'can-do' attitude,
prepared for any eventuality.
Where do the images go?
Has this man captured a part of my soul?
Perhaps capturing a digital image is similar to creating a doll -
a way
to honour;
to entertain;
to remember;
to transform;
to tell stories;
to stimulate discussion and reflection;
to reveal the essence of what it is to be human.
LM Forscher is the researcher.
Intuitive. Focused. Perceptive.
An enquirer. An enabler.
A conversationalist.
A lateral thinker.
She seeks out the impassioned,
the innovative,
the curious,
the zealous,
the free spirit.
Her research has a profound effect on people and communities.
Intuitive. Focused. Perceptive.
An enquirer. An enabler.
A conversationalist.
A lateral thinker.
She seeks out the impassioned,
the innovative,
the curious,
the zealous,
the free spirit.
Her research has a profound effect on people and communities.
AT Klink is a sound technician,
a silent listener to every conversation.
Such a privileged position!
Our words reflect so much of ourselves -
at our most vulnerable;
in times of joy and of desolation;
with the power to hurt and the power to console;
with the power to motivate and to inspire.
To be heard is a precious gift.
Let's share this gift with those we encounter today:-)
a silent listener to every conversation.
Such a privileged position!
Our words reflect so much of ourselves -
at our most vulnerable;
in times of joy and of desolation;
with the power to hurt and the power to console;
with the power to motivate and to inspire.
To be heard is a precious gift.
Let's share this gift with those we encounter today:-)
Deedee is the final doll in this series.
There are some people who have the gift of organisation.
They enable others to become their best selves -
in their work and in their personal lives -
by ensuring they are fully informed;
that they understand what is happening;
by providing a point of contact.
These people provide a still point
in the hectic and sometimes hazardous journey that is our life.
They shoulder the burden
so that our lives are easier.
How wonderful:-)
There are some people who have the gift of organisation.
They enable others to become their best selves -
in their work and in their personal lives -
by ensuring they are fully informed;
that they understand what is happening;
by providing a point of contact.
These people provide a still point
in the hectic and sometimes hazardous journey that is our life.
They shoulder the burden
so that our lives are easier.
How wonderful:-)
