Featured Sites…
Gallery 119 features the work of artist Mario Alberico, who generously allowed his painting, Tree of the Lamb (Beta), to grace the pages of FaithHopeandFiction.com. His artistic journey of faith and expression has produced amazing and powerful images. His works capture the essence of trees and crosses as metaphors for his life as a cancer survivor. Gallery 119 is also dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poor, the oppressed, the orphaned, the widowed, and the afflicted in the world – through the sale and donation of artworks and through Foundation 119.
Desta Elliott, founder of Shady Grove eRoots, has been fascinated by history all her life, with a particular interest in genealogy. Her passion goes beyond the facts of “who was born when” to discovering the stories of people and families. “You start finding things out about family members who were just names before; then they start coming alive,” she adds.
*
Growing up one of seven children in a family that valued music, Penny Currier http://www.pennycurrier.com/ decided she wanted to play the harp. Today she’s living out her dream of being a professional harpist, playing for audiences from wedding parties to visiting dignitaries and royalty who visit Chicago; elite corporate parties to those enjoying tea at the Drake Hotel. “It’s a pleasure making music that’s wonderful. It’s really a privilege,” commented Penny.
*
Twelve years ago, Terry Kaveney showed her youngest sister, Amy Dawdy, a quilting project she was working on. Amy told her she had just starting quilting too. Now, they are Sisters2Quilting http://sisters2quilting.com/. The two Illinois sisters do commission quilts and also offer quilt stitching services to other quilters. Soon they’ll be offering patterns on their web site. The best part, the women agree, is doing what they love and working together—as partners and sisters. *
Whenever customers come into the
Chicago studio of Tiffany Stained Glass, Ltd. http://www.tiffanystainedglass.com/ and ask if the architectural art glass is original, Pat and Bob Nugent thank them for the compliment. These self-taught entrepreneurs have meticulously studied the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright, and the influences of architects Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. From their start in 1975 their range of work has expanded from lamps to windows, domed ceilings, skylights, glass partitions, chandeliers, and more, including works in steel and bronze metals.
*
When people view artist Amanda Sears’ work http://www.amandasears.com/ , they just can’t help putting their fingers on it. High-gloss industrial polymer gives the impression that the deep and vibrant colors are still wet in places. Her use of lava stone and garnet pumice adds a rough, concrete texture in places, and there are overlays of lacy shapes, numbers, letters, and punctuation marks. Although Amanda, who moved to Chicago from outside
Louisville, KY , in 2000, may be inspired by a thought, images, or an emotional experience, she says the message of each piece is in the mind of the beholder. “My main artistic statement is, ‘what do you see?’”
When jewelry designer Ladan Atefi wants to be inspired, all she has to do is look out her window. Living in
Palm Beach, Florida , Ladan studies butterflies, birds, and flowers for the beautiful and sometimes extravagant color combinations that can be found in nature. Ladan creates one-of-a-kind necklaces in striking and often bold color combinations and designs: stones in floral patterns or palettes that are dramatic and eye-catching. She only works in natural stone—jade, turquoise, amethyst, citrine, coral, and others. “I take risks in my designs. I just play with the stones and try different things,” Ladan says.
Kate Shean, founder of Classic Stitches http://www.classic-stitches.com/, creates heirloom-quality linens and children’s clothing, inspired by the women of her life. First, there was her grandmother whose house
Oak Park, Illinois , was “vintage 1940s, with glamour and a style that was old and classic.” From her mother, she gained a love of the
Carolinas , with its slower pace and timeless feel. Her mother-in-law taught her how to sew, unleashing a passion that led Kate to monogramming. Today, Classic Stitches sells monogrammed gifts, household items, and children’s clothing for special occasions such as weddings, christenings, children’s birthdays, holidays, family parties and portraits.
In 1985, a group of concerned people confronted the problem of a growing homeless population in the north and northwestern suburbs outside Chicago and decided to do something about it. After a survey indicated a need for supportive services for women and children, the WINGS Program Inc. http://www.wingsprogram.com/ was launched. WINGS ("Women in Need Growing Stronger") has four homes and 21 apartments, assisting women affected by domestic violence and homelessness. Today WINGS continues to carry out its mission to provide a "continuum of integrated services in an effort to end domestic violence and homelessness, one family at a time."
In 1988, a small group of Chicago-area residents rallied around a common concern: the accelerating destruction of tropical rainforests. Today, Rainforest Conservation Fund (RCF) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, which has approximately 150 members (and looking for more). RCF focuses on the “ACRCTT” (Regional Communal Tamshiyacu Tahuayo), 1-million acre protected area, which is now a pilot program for all of northern . RCF supports an agroforestry project to counter the practice of cutting down the towering aguaje palms in order to obtain the fruit. It has also hired two Peruvian agroforestry extension workers, as well as two local biologists who work with teachers to educate children about ecology. RCF relies on education and agroforestry to help the local community support and preserve the rainforest, which the entire planet needs.
A dealer in rare books, Craig Harris of
Bridge of
Dreams caters to those who share his passion for books on Asia, especially and more specifically Japanese art and history. Craig has been a book collector all his life. In the midst of a career transition four years ago, he turned his extensive book collection into a business, supplemented by connections with collectors and other dealers worldwide. His clientele ranges from buyers who find him on the Internet to Japan’s National Diet Library (akin to the Library of Congress in the U.S.). For serious collectors or the curious, Bridge of Dreams is worth a look.
Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier began Journey Films in 1983 to make television programs and films that tell stories about how faith and spirituality can be lived out in the world – a world that at times can be confusing and often cruel. Over that time he has produced 23 long-formatted films, primarily for national public television. As he explains, “The films are a chance to explore my own search for God in the world, a chance to see how the divine resides in each person and the natural wonder around us.”
Friends of FaithHopeandFiction…
With deep gratitude for their help, support, guidance, and advice:
Hamzei Analytics LLC and founder Fari Hamzei – offering real-time proprietary indicators and market analyses to professional and institutional traders.
The Usheroff Institute and president Roz Usheroff – featuring corporate seminars, executive coaching, keynote speaking, and “Art of Wow” conferences.
Judy Donovan, an elementary school Library Assistant, volunteers at the Park Ridge, IL, Public Library, which recently honored her as the first recipient of the Library Service Award.
Janie Gabbett – The Savvy Communicator – writer, editor, and communications consultant.
William J. White, Professor at
Northwestern
University , author of From Day One: CEO Advice to Launch an Extraordinary Career
|
