How Artists Can Create Hope and Healing Art in a Divisive World
A Time of Despair... and Opportunity I’m not going to lie—these days, it’s tough for idealists. The world often feels like it’s crumbling, with social media amplifying hate, division, and disaster. But in this time of turbulence, we’re also more interconnected and...
How Artists Can Successfully Fundraise Online
Crowdfunding Essentials Every Artist Should Know If you've ever wondered how artists can successfully fundraise online, this guide will walk you through simple, proven steps to make your creative project a reality. Let’s talk about a side of crowdfunding that rarely...
How the the Spirit of Malawi Transformed My Images
Malawian Inspired Art: 2019-2024 Greetings from Lilongwe, Malawi. I hope you're doing well. As you may have heard, Malawi is currently grappling with the tragic loss of Vice President Saulos Chilima who died this week in a tragic plane crash. This is a time of deep...
I’m Moving! +New Malawian-Inspired Art
There's so much going on at the moment. I'll try not to be too long-winded...First, I wanted to share some new Malawian-inspired art created recently. The largest piece by far is a mural I designed. It was painted in April and completed a few weeks ago.My former UNFPA...
Malawi’s Women Taking the Lead: Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship
I hope you are staying well in your part of the world. This week I wanted to share a little bit of my education work with you. The last few days I had the pleasure of facilitating a daylong workshop for the Australia Awards Alumni just before International Women's...
Can You Spot the Mistake in My New Sacred Geometry Spiral Drawing?
Greetings from my part of the world to yours. I hope you're doing well. I don't know how to tell you this, but it's the beginning of the end! (Well, maybe.) The new sacred geometry spiral drawing you see in progress above is going to be #12 in my sacred geometry...
How to Shine on Social Media -For Artists & Idealists
I was asked years ago when I first started teaching online if I would ever make a social media course for artists and creatives that would go with my earlier color, web, design, creativity, and illustration offerings. Back then (2015) I did not yet feel like I knew...
Talking Location-Independent Art, Work, & Life
-with Art Ladders: The Creative Climb Podcast I've been busy these past few weeks with making art, online and live training digital media sessions, and a new podcast interview. Phew! My brother (Kevin Palana (Lawrence) of CAT Country 98.1 Providence, RI. fame) is the...
New Textile Drawings. The Art Underfoot.
Hitting the Mats Hi. Today I wanted to share two new textile drawings I made recently. Both were inspired by mats (literally the art underfoot!) made in Malawi with wicker/straw or chitenje patterned material. Above, is one of my new textile drawings called Woven...
New Murals + Live Social Media Workshop
Hitting the Ground Running I've been back in Malawi for two weeks now, and it was time to get back making to work straight away. This past week I made five new murals after my recent USA and Germany trip to see family in July. My team of former digital media students...