Arabic Lesson And Book Arts

Books Books, oh how I love books!

But before we get to the books portion, I wanted to share a story about how I accidentally ended up getting a free private Arabic lesson.

As you may or may not know one of the languages I'm studying is predominantly spoken in Pakistan and many, though not nearly as I had previously stereotyped, Pakistani people are Muslim.

So in attempt to find an Urdu speaker, I went to the Mosque looking for someone to ask. I didn't find an Urdu speaker but rather was invited to join a mother and a son taking a private Arabic lesson from the Imam (or Sheikh or 'Alim).

I could follow only a little from my basic Urdu but that's another story. 

While I was there I took a tour of the Mosque and was able to look through some of the books. I'm not sure if they were Qur'ans or not, since 90% of the Qur'ans I've seen in the past I have not been allowed to touch and I touched these.

Either way, they were beautifully illustrated. The calligraphy and design work was stunning...sooo beautiful! This beauty is a major reason I am learning Hindi and Urdu.

Ok, now back to books!

It's been a while since I've looked through a Koran. I used to love going to the University of Wyoming Rare Books Library and looking at all their beautiful books. Illuminated manuscripts, moralized bible, Gutenberg Bible, cuneiform scrolls, and rare Egyptian books. The list of my favorites goes on and on.

There is nothing better than a beautiful book. Which leads me to what I really wanted to share. My love for books, book arts and illustrated books. But in addition to other people's books I really enjoy the challenge of making my own.

I was accepted into and able to attended my first meeting with the Book Arts Club here in the Tri-Cities. It is a fun group of artists. They are encouraging and critical, which quite honestly is refreshing. I have found open critique a bit rare outside of the university. I am excited to continue creating books, stories, paper art and other works that fit this challenging genre.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the genera book arts I will write a blog post with the goal of explaining a bit more. I will also share some of my pieces inspired by Islamic culture and architecture.

Home: Weekly Photo Challenge

This weeks challenge was home.

Within my first week of being in Brazil, I was sure to scope out a favela. As I walked through, all I saw was beauty all around. The people and the houses were captivating. 

This was one of the most beautiful houses that I saw while in Brazil. The colors of the door, the bricks and the plants in this photo are absolutely lovely.

After returning to the hostel I decided to draw this house as a part of my drawing a day project.

Dhanyavaad Doston - I had a great year with you all!

I typed a thank you in Hindi that I planned to read at the going away party but forgot it :( and I'm pretty sure it actually made no sense...as I shared it online to have it proofread and was told it didn't make sense (when I get back to the US I will share it anyways. Ok well, when I find my computer)

I wanted to thank you all for welcoming Jim and I into your community. It was really special to be a part of your family. I've heard missionaries, and less often but other travelers as well, talk about going somewhere and being welcomed into the culture.

I now have a better understanding of how special that really is. There is a difference between hanging out and getting to know people and really being a part of it all and I feel like you guys blessed us with the opportunity to really be a part of your lives and culture.

It's funny becuase after returning to Wyoming I was seriously considering grad school at Khala Bhavan. But when we realized it was a longer program than I had originally thought we decided against it. This past year, though in Wyoming (possibly the place on earth that is the least like India), I really was able to experience a mini-India and it was beautiful. I learned so much about food, culture, religion, languages, social norms, cricket, and fell even more in love with your culture and people.

I began by wanting to learn Hindi. I honestly belive my goals desires changed to simply being friends and sharing life which was so beautiful.

I will never forget my last year in Wyoming and the times that we shared. I love each and every one of you guys. 

See Dhanyavaad Doston Pt 2 which I talk about being homesick from Indian culture while in Brazil.http://feliciafollum.blogspot.com/2014/08/dhanyavaad-doston-saudades-pt-2.html?m=1

3 Countries in One Day: Day 3-6/7

We unintentionally ended up in Paraguay a few days ago. Which is kinda sad becuase of the ease of border crossing also equals the ease of human and drug trafficking...

Standing in Argentina looking at Brazil (rt.) and Paraguay(lft.). 

But I absolutely haf a blast in Argentina with a good friend and his family. And Paraguay was a wonderful experience as well...

My US-Brazil Connect Bio

 Felicia Follum is a watercolor artist who has a passion for using her art to work with people in culturally diverse environments. She currently teaches art, blogging, yoga, and very basic languages (Spanish, Hindi, and Sign Language) to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And teachers private art lessons with “at-risk” youth. She would like to eventually have her own studio space where she creates and sells artwork and offers various creativity-based classes. Felicia’s significant travel experiences include Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (in South Dakota), Haiti, Mexico, and India. She is excited to spend time in Brazil and see what creative work and lasting friendships will come out of the experience.

To learn more about US-Brazil Connect, check out their website

Ask Me Anything Monday: Travel

I have been getting some questions as a part the US-Brazil Connect program that I am in. I thought it would be fun to answer them in blog post form...so here goes. Enjoy my "Ask Me Anything Monday" series. Feel free to ask about my life, art, or creative inspiration.

What places inside and outside of USA have you visited? 

Alright, Outside of the US I have been to Haiti, India and Mexico.

For inside the US I have created the map above.
I have been to 18 out of the 50 states. It looks like more since I have been to more of the larger one and fewer of the smaller states. 

Creativity Boosting Prompt #15 - Change Things Up

Sometimes moving to a new setting is good. I love my art studio but there is still something unique about going to campus and creating art with the people that I went to school with.

Here is a list of ten places that you could try creating artwork, journaling, or sketching.

Garden + Greenhouse. Instagram for more pics.

1. Outdoors - Garden, green house, back yard
2. Indoors - Coffee shop, restaurant 
3. Your home - Different room
4. A friend's house
5. In a hotel or other lobby - Random
6. Somewhere while on vacation
7. An Art Gallery or Museum
8. A Sporting Event
9. Class
10. A Dance Studio

13 Beautiful India Moments

I know many of you have seen either my artwork in response to my time spent in India, snipits of my Hindi learning experience or photos from the workshops we participated in while in India. For those of you who have, this will hopefully a wonderful review and for those of you who have not seen, I hope you enjoy and check out my work regularly to see more of what I am creating in response to my time spent in India.

Laughter, Madhya Pradesh, India

I truly believe that laughter is the universal language. It transcends race, culture, religion and almost anything else that separates people. Though these ladies didn't speak any English and I didn't speak any of their languages, having my hair wrapped in a traditional style was a very special moment for me.

There were three of us in our group that had our hair/heads wrapped by a couple of women returning home from a wedding. Though, I am not sure anyone else noticed. The only three from our group that participated in this were all Christian.

I think this is significant as a simple action against the typical, or maybe I should say stereotypical, animosity that people often possess towards those who are different. And regardless of beliefs I was blessed with the opportunity to share life and laughter with this beautiful woman.

I am a huge believe in people from all backgrounds coming together to build meaningful and beautiful relationships and this moment was a symbol of that for me.

Wedding, Village near Santiniketan, West Bengal, India

Not trying to brag or anything, but I think I was the only one from our group that participated in two wedding celebrations while in India. Julia, Ajeesh, Sunil and I went to a village just outside of Santiniketan, West Bengal.

After joining our friend Ajeesh and sharing some home brewed rice beer and some stories in his neighbors village style courtyard. A bit of this strangely sour, yeast, and strong drink went a long ways...next we walked our bikes by all the rickshaw drivers having a party of some sort. This explained why all the rickshaw drivers in the middle of the night in Bishnapur had been completely drunk. It also would have been good to know before bartering with drunken rickshaw drivers...as we walked we began to hear drums in the distance.

Ajeesh stopped "hear that?!?" he asked....of course we did.

Ajeesh asked if we wanted to go to another small village for part of a wedding. Of course we did. So we rode our bikes in the dark with our headlamps. We came to know that this wedding party was at the brides home. The groom and his mother were there. We were served puffed rice and another serving of fresh brewed rice beer....after this we decided it was time to head back as we thought we had completely missed supper. 

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India

Another one of my wandering adventures. I have more of this story on YouTube. 

Madhya Pradesh political rally. 

I think that this was one of the two times I was uncomfortable being a woman and was incredibly glad I had convinced another from our group to join.

Train Station, Madhya Pradesh, India

Wandering the train station at night was another wonderful adventure. Mark, the Printmaking professor at the University of Wyoming and I had fun taking pictures of some old beautifully textured posters.

Train Station, Madhya Pradesh, India

We also slept in the train station for most of the night...Our train was about 4 hours late. I honestly really enjoyed this part of the trip. It was a very unique experience even though I experienced it with hundreds, probably thousands of others.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

The lobby of the Khajuraho hotel was just about the most peaceful experience ever...especially since the bus ride prior had been so miserable. We were greeted with delicious juice. I had never tasted anything so delicious prior, nor have I since. In addition to the juice we were given jasmine and lavender scented moist face towels.

I typically not one for luxury but I had gotten used to that moment quick.

Haha comparing this hotel to our Bishmapur room...

3 people 2 towels 1 bed....ugh zero patience.

Barber Shop, Village in West Bengal, India

I had so much fun joking with these guys as I took their pictures. We were separated from our group for some reason so I was just goofing around as they posed and as our car waited.

This little shop just screams India to me.

Kitchen, Village in Madhya Pradesh, India

Another very special moment was going on a tour of this village home after a morning hike to a lookout area just above.

The tiger preserve was filled with fun, dace party to Punjabi hip hop blaring from car speakers, beedis, village flower wine, village dances, hiking, safaris and this little home.

Wedding Procession, West Bengal, India

Another Bengali wedding party. There were several different wedding marches while we were there.

Boys Playing Cricket, India

Boys playing cricket was a lot of fun to watch, however, I do wish I had understood the game before going.

Hooka, New Delhi, India

One of my sneaky solo adventures in New Delhi. This is the same adventure that I found the McDonalds.

Block Printing, New Delhi, India

Block printing was the first day in India

Devi Goddess Temple, New Delhi, Delhi, India

not sure why no one else in my group would walk through the temples but I found them fascinating from both a religious studies perspective and an art history perspective.

Pooja, West Bengal, India

This photo was taken during another one of those "Oh shoot, I really need to use the restroom moments" though you might not think so. I had asked one of our Bengali friends if there was a restroom nearby and he asked on the the people who lived in the village.

The family led me right to the...family shrine in the middle of a pooja...they invited me in so I took of my shoes and said "hello"...but only for a moment or two as I really needed to use the restroom. I thanked them and went back outside. I asked my friend again "is there a rest room, that was their shrine room" so he asked again and some how there had been translation confusion. So they led me to their restroom.

I hope you enjoyed a snipit of my India trip...What are some beautiful moments from one of your recent travels? Tell me in the comments below.

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Watercolor Travel Kit

This is the travel kit that I will be taking to India with me.

 Watch the video to see how I fit all of my watercolor paints, water, two bowls, an eraser and even a brush in this little guy.

 You can also hear a bit about where I have taken my watercolor travel kit.



Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more art and India travel videos.

Art In Haiti

Me sharing a a Paper Bead Lesson

Here is a post from my religion blog. I talk about my experience teaching art in Haiti leading art lessons. I will edit the post a bit. To see the original and more about the religions of Haiti and my spiritual experience check out my SckRlgn Blog.

As many of you know I was fortunate to be able to take a trip to Haiti last summer (2011). The goal of our group was to build a chicken coupe in a small village community while spreading the Good News.

One of the cultural differences led to the Haitian males taking away most of the American women’s jobs while working on the chicken house (polaye in Creole). Though frustrating for some of the ladies in our group, this was a good thing for two reasons. First, I strongly believe that it was our job to equip people rather than do for them. And second (third, fourth and fifth), this dynamic led to me being surrounded by tons of kids, and the opportunities to lead art lessons, learn some Creole, and having the chance to spend quality time with one of the older girls. One-on-one time with a role model of some sort is a major need for many young women in Haiti. In fact if I go again I plan to take nail polish to share with the young women (probably women of all ages).

The photo above is me teaching some of the order girls and young boys how to make paper beads. You can read more about the Upcycled paper beads in my tutorial. I also took around 60 friendship bracelet kits (just cut string ready to be braided or knotted) Using art to connect with people was a unique and beautiful experience. I went in with no Creole and some of the older kids knew how to count to 5 in English and say Miami. The art lessons allowed me to make friends with one of the families as well as some other kids and leaders in the community. Using art allowed us to teach each other basic language skills but also forces us to use sign language (actually having sign language experience was more beneficial than my Spanish) and other forms of communication such as body language and sounds.

I would love the opportunity to go back to the small village again, to show the kids that it was not a one-time event, but rather a sincere investment in their lives. I also have a small amount of money to take back from selling my art in response to the first trip.

Last Minute Packing List

Are you going home for the holidays? Did you save all of your packing for the last minute?  If you stress out about packing like I do, this list is for you.

My husband and I in Yellowstone, WY

I created this packing list to use for my last minute travels and I hope it comes in handy for you as well. I am a big believer in planning ahead and being organized enough to allow for creative thought (just because I believe in this does not in any way mean that I am any good at it). When my mind, desk, studio, closet or other workspace is cluttered I am forced to focus on the mess rather than what I really care about which is being creative (and to get back on topic, packing).

This past summer I had several fantastic opportunities to travel and every time I stressed over what to pack and how to pack all of my art supplies.

So here is my last minute packing list to allow stress free packing.

1. Pashmina scarf or other large warm scarf - No matter what time of year or where I am going I have either used my scaves or regretted not taking one. I have used one for everything from cute fashion accessory (they really do spiff up an simple tank top and jeans) to a blanket in the airport on the way to Haiti. If camping or in another rustic climate you can use an older scarf as a towel, skirt, bag, pillow, or table cloth.

2. Snacks – I have some pretty annoying allergies that could ruin any trip so it is nice to be prepared if I cant find food. I also get hungry in cars and like to take some healthy snacks so I am not forced to eat gas station food.  Dehydrated foods are great.  A water bottle is a must for me as well.

3. Phone and/or camera – Other electronics are included here.