I’m a creative, experienced, multi-purpose artist and art director
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Saturday, June 27, 2015

My blog is a happy place, so what am I supposed to with "danger"?  More butterflies?

Danger makes me think of psychos I've known and near death experiences (NDE), but danger is entertainment for a lot of people.  Kill, kill on the video game, an adrenaline rush at the movies, shootings someplace far away... Death becomes common, but I know dying is hard.  Our spirits don't want to leave our bodies.

I was at a friend's house once and someone mentioned NDEs.  My friend and I looked at each other and shared a wry laugh.  A young adult caught our reaction and excitedly asked if I'd ever had an NDE.  Her excitement was appalling to me because she clearly had no idea what she was asking.  She just wanted the fun of an eerie tale.  She didn't think gee, something really horrible happened and I almost died.  Thankfully, another person talked about his experience and I was forgotten.

It was a little moment in time.  Not NDEs obviously, but a tactless question from a person too young to know what she did, but she's the norm.  There wasn't anything special about the girl's question because her scope of experience didn't include actual death beyond the peaceful passing of her grandparents, and to her, scary movies are fun.

Her eagerness made me realize how disconnected she is to bad things.  Maybe she'll never have to deal with violence, but what about kids at a school shooting or people shot at church?  Maybe most importantly, what about the gunmen?  Because I bet those gunmen are just as disconnected to other people's feelings and the finality of death.  A lack of empathy across the vastness of society is a real problem because it effects every day interactions and how people vote (or don't).

Too many movies and video games and not enough actual playing together, kids' every activity outside of movies and games is supervised.  They never get real opportunities to fall and pick themselves up or discuss and work out problems with peers.

Of course life wasn't perfect in the old days or I wouldn't have NDEs that I don't want to talk about.  Young people are "safe", but in their safety they lose chances to learn how to protect themselves.  They don't make decisions for themselves until they're adults, and then they don't communicate well enough to function in the workplace or in a marriage.

I want everyone to be danger-free, though it's unlikely -- and since it's unlikely, I'd like people to be prepared when danger comes.  Adrenaline is for escaping the angry bear and too much will kill you eventually.  Too much violence for "fun" makes too many angry bears.  Turn it off.  Watch butterflies and share the grief of South Carolinians.

I wanted to get this art out of my closet last week when I was talking about Monarch migrations, but was too sore to get it.  The bruises are fading and I guess I'll get better.  The art was used on t-shirts, and the logo was used for the parks' gift shop.  I included the b/w version because people should remember that logos often need to be printed 1-color and it's good to plan for that from the start.

10 comments:

  1. Your artwork for the parks gift shop was awesome Linda, we don't have hummingbirds I would love to see one in real life too. Sadly the danger from shooting extended this week to British holiday makers in Tunisia, gunned down on the beach....so tragic that man feels the urge to kill his fellow man, and so often with the warped idea that it is for religion x

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    1. I sorry to hear about the shooting in Tunisia. I just wish it would all stop and people would start treating each other nicely. I don't expect that to happen, but I wish for it. I always feel like I got a gift when I see a hummingbird. They're so sparkly and quick :)

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  2. Beautiful logo! Just love those butterflies and flowers, and the sweet little bird.

    I know that every moment of every day, horrible things are happening in the world. Sometimes I feel like I have to know about them, and I send money or make a small gesture if I can. The rest of the time I try to appreciate that I am very lucky, but try not to dwell on things I am unequipped to help or change.

    As for young people, I don't think they are any better or any worse off than those who came before. Most will manage, some having a harder time than others. I will certainly agree that the influx of 24-news and horror stories can make one less sympathetic to suffering. I don't know what to do about it though, except try to be a nice person and not add to the negativity in the world. (I have a feeling a lot of my messages on your blog end this way!)

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    1. Thanks Cindy! I think if we all do what we can with whatever we have, then that makes the world better. The world is too big for any one person to fix, but we can improve things around us.

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  3. Well, you did kinda post butterfleis in the end anyway ;) And I agree with everything you said. Dangit, I just wrote a comment as long as your post and ended up deleting bc it was just ranting lol Hope you have a great week despite IF's craving for drama and monsters ;)

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    1. Aw... I tend to enjoy other people's rants -- especially if they're agreeing with me! I hope you have a great week too :)

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  4. I've started writing a novel that deals with death. It's a hard subject. And I've noticed its affecting my dreams.

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    1. I know how that can be. The best thing that I can say about my own efforts at writing about hard subjects like that is that I think it helped exorcise some of my demons. I hope you find the same is true for you when you get through your process. Sweet dreams!

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  5. You are addressing a very important issue here, Linda. Thanks for bringing it up. I can only say I totally agree with you. In addition it's good to read that you are getting better. Keep doing so!

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    1. Thanks! It's always good to know someone agrees :)

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