Meet an artist, #1.

Months and months ago, I came across a blog that mentioned the art of one Ms. Julia Pott who resides in our mother country of Great Britain. I found her work to have a refreshing, raw charm. Though some of her topics are for adults only, the delivery of each idea on the page is done with lovely hand-drawn authenticity. And I like how smoodgy her art is. I like that there might be smudges or erasings. I like that the people aren't very pretty. I especially like her animals set in human conditions. It's just truly interesting.





You can even purchase lovely pillows, aprons and totes with her work here. She is certainly an up and comer.

Now I had the pleasure of corresponding with Julia this summer. She not only agreed to donate, but also she so supported the idea of getting rid of pediatric brain cancer that she asked a few of her talented friends if they would mind donating, too.

Hence, Robin Bushnell, a fantastic animator also residing across the pond. He, too, has a quirky yet engaging style that fascinates as he's done here in his "Zoo" piece, a 2:40 animation of "a trip to the zoo ends in mayhem."


He has donated a darling little painting that you'll have to come November 12 to see! I've had the joy of meeting with both Julia and Robin, and I can assure you that they are as creative and caring as their work depicts.

Julia also introduced The Kyrie Foundation to Ms. Gemma Correll, a delightful illustrator who creates pieces like this



and this



and this


Gemma, too, has donated a sweet piece to the art auction fundraiser. I can't wait for you to see their work in person next month!

This Saturday!

Want to come hang with your pals this weekend? Come visit The Kyrie Foundation at this weekend's Girls Day Out!

Saturday, October 10th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sedgwick County Extension Building
21 st & Ridge Road
in the Sunflower Room

Join us and get an early start on Christmas gifts, shop for yourself, bring your girlfriends, and support at-home businesses in your community!

Homemade Gourmet
Discovery Toys
Beauti Control
Premier Jewelry
The Pampered Chef
Entertaining at Home
Scentsy Wickless Candles
Rodan+Fields Skincare
Uppercase Living
Tupperware
Silpada
Stampin' Up!
Tastefully Simple
Biejo Bags
The Kyrie Foundation

We love how this is put together as a little shop of all those home parties. All the great brands and nifty products that you usually have to order here and there in one place. Brilliant! Plus, we'll be there with bracelets and cookbooks and well as a free smiles and open invitations to help us fight children's brain cancer.

Metamorphosis 2009!

Hot on the heels of one fundraiser comes another!

Not sure if you've noticed the countdown on the right sidebar over there, but that is your link to Metamorphosis 2009, The Kyrie Foundation's second-annual silent art+gift auction in Kansas City!

Lots of GREAT art this year from all over: London, Canada, Brooklyn, Texas, Utah, California and loads of great work from artists right here in Kansas City. In fact, tomorrow we'll begin profiling our donating artists so you can get to know their fascinating work.




And, if that weren't enough ... Whole Foods Market is sponsoring a pasta tasting included with the purchase of your ticket! We have a fantastic gourmet on deck to prepare a delicious trio of dishes made from organic ingredients generously donated by Whole Foods Market.



Local brew has been donated by the hip and happening Westport venue The Foundry at McCoy's. Ticket price also includes this as well as wine and soda, a chance to meet & greet attending artists and your name entered into our door prize drawing.

Plus, Bob Harvey from The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and his group of jazzy merrymakers will be filling Studio 2131 with swanky tuneage.



What's more is that Karli Ritter with WDAF Fox-4 will be our lovely emcee for the evening!

Even more fantastic gifts up for auction, too--the perfect way to get a few holiday gifts for special someones on your list this year.

So you're saying: give the details already, Megan! Okay, here they are:

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Studio 2131
2131 Washington
The Crossroads District of Kansas City

$22 in advance
$25 at the door

5:30 p.m. Event Opens & Bidding Begins
6:30 p.m. Welcome
8:30 p.m. Bidding Closes

p.s.
This event info is posted on The Kyrie Foundation's Facebook page, too, if you want to invite your friends or spread the word!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a second wind. You know that moment when you just don't think you can go on, when you think you're spent, when you've given everything you have, when you're too exhausted to blink, when you can't see the finish line, when you're panting for a breath and your muscles are not carrying you but laughing at you? And then suddenly, a small amount of gusto returns, like in the movie Mr. Mom when "Chariots of Fire" begins.

I'm thankful for the grace that carries us through our own shortcomings, for the split-second decisions that whisper, "Don't give up." I'm thankful for the comforting lift that comes from a nice cup of coffee. I'm thankful for the decadent dessert called tiramisu, which in Italian literally means "pick me up." I'm thankful for that Footprints poem. I'm thankful for elevators and escalators. I'm thankful for friendships that weave safety nets that allows us bounce upward when we fall from our tightropes.

I'm especially thankful for the moments when the wind is at our backs pushing us to the finish line, like divine inertia. So good to lean once in a while.

What are you thankful for today?

Moments.

Love seeing everyone's smiling faces looking upward in this snapshot from one of Jordan's friends.

Speaking of snapshots, have you had a chance to peruse through the fantastic 2009 Twilight Walk photos from Diamond H Event Photography yet? Had an idea for you: If you want a jump on holiday planning, why not select a great photo from this event as your Christmas photo card this year? Some of these perfect, childhood-gleeful moments are too precious not to share--they just grow up so fast, you know? And what better evidence/inspiration that you've kept that generous Christmas spirit all year long. Just the kind of Christmas cheer to spread this year, eh?

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful once again to have the support of an amazing, generous spirit who composed a beautiful synopsis of last Saturday evening. I think you'll agree.

"The Wizard of OZ" has been a beloved film for 70 years now. It has brought joy and entertainment to many…young and old.

I have always loved this story! The music. The costumes. The characters. The scenery. And as I've gotten older, I've appreciated the meaning.

But I must say that I experienced a whole new meaning this past Saturday evening, at the "OZ-some" 2nd Kyrie Twilight Walk. As I walked around the stadium meeting & greeting lots of little "munchkins," I started to think how parallel my experience was compared to the "real Dorothy."

Traveling my own variation of "the yellow brick road," I came across 3 friends, just as "Dorothy" did. And each had their own special & unique characteristic. And maybe, just like The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion … my friends didn’t know that they too already possessed these things.

If you remember, The Scarecrow wished he had a brain. Megan, Chad, Trish, Melissa & Danny … The BRAINS behind this OZ-some event! For those of us who just get to show up for 5 hours once a year, we must stop and think about all of the ins-and-outs, the details, the planning, the organizing, the asking of volunteers, the WORK that goes into The Kyrie Twilight Walk! They do not need a diploma nor a certificate to prove to us how smart they are. Their success is proof enough!

Oh, how The Tin Man wished he had a heart. Lacie & Jordan…have shared their HEARTS with us, over and over again! Although it is unimaginable for most of us to know the feelings of losing a child, try to think of this young couple and their hearts being broken when the Wicked Witch/cancer came and took their Kyrie from them. Yet, time and time again, they are able to open their hearts to us. A chance to tell Kyrie's story. An opportunity to raise awareness. A hope that if they continue to speak of her, to show her sweet pictures, to walk in her memory…that others will join them in their fight.

And next we have The Cowardly Lion, who wanted Courage. Little Anna…proves to be BRAVER than a whole pack of lions! I have had the honor to meet Anna on 3 different occasions. And each time, I am amazed how this small-in-stature being, can hold so much courage. Obstacles and difficulties are all along her path, yet she faces them with the love and support of her family and friends. And … continues on. Courageously.

Another of my favorite OZ characters is the lady in pink … Glinda The Good Witch of the North. Although The Good Witch does not have a lot of screen time, her presence is constant throughout "Dorothy's" journey. She floats in and out, appearing in her pink bubble, when she is needed. When someone needs reassurance. When someone needs support. To guide. To show the way. To oversee. To remind.

Sound like anyone you know?! Ahhhhh….Kyrie. YOUR presence was definitely in that beautiful pink-orange-red bubble/sunset Saturday night.

And at the end of the story, "Dorothy" finally makes it to her destination … The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. He who grants wishes and makes dreams come true. As she kneels before him she tells of her sacrifice. Her trials and tribulations. And all she asks in return is to go home.

As I bowed my head in prayer this past weekend, before Him, all I asked for was…a cure.

At the end of the evening, as I clicked the heels of my ruby red slippers together, my chant was…"Go Kyrie! Go!" "Go Kyrie! Go!" "Go Kyrie! Go!"

Luv,
Dorothy…
(Susan Jae)

Photos for you!

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Diamond H Event Photography! Roger was absolutely fantastic. Every time I saw a really neat photo op, Roger was already there to capture it. And phenomenal work—you can see that for yourself with his link for the 2009 Twilight Walk!

http://diamondh.smugmug.com/Kyrie-Foundation-Twilight-Wal

There are two parts of the photos and load and loads of great images of your kiddos. These are the moments, as parents, that we're too busy to take or the moment gets away before we can get the camera. Such joy on so many faces. Perfect for framing, sending to the grandparents or for you scrapbook.

You can order right there on the site, too, with Diamond H. Also, if you'd like bigger sizes than 8x10 of a photo or if you'd like to book Roger for your next event (fabulous idea because he's one of those good businesses!), just e-mail him at diamondh@ksfirst.com.