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Poverty in the World - What can we do as artists?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
So, you ask, "What can I do?" Poverty is a simple word that takes on many connotations - this is the entry in Wikipedia for the description of "poverty";
Poverty (also called penury) is deprivation of common necessities that determine the quality of life, including food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, and may also include the deprivation of opportunities to learn, to obtain better employment to escape poverty, and/or to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens. According to Mollie Orshansky who developed the poverty measurements used by the U.S. government, "to be poor is to be deprived of those goods and services and pleasures which others around us take for granted."[1] Ongoing debates over causes, effects and best ways to measure poverty, directly influence the design and implementation of poverty-reduction programs and are therefore relevant to the fields of public administration and international development.
Although poverty is generally considered to be undesirable due to the pain and suffering it may cause, in certain spiritual contexts "voluntary poverty," involving the renunciation of material goods, is seen by some as virtuous.
Poverty may affect individuals or groups, and is not confined to the developing nations. Poverty in developed countries is manifest in a set of social problems including homelessness and the persistence of "ghetto" housing clusters.[2]
For myself, poverty means a lot of things but I'm a little confused by this description. There are a lot of different levels of poverty, and this context says, "to be poor is to be deprived of those goods and services and pleasures which others around us take for granted." there are so many pleasures and goods and services that a lot of Americans won't ever get to take part in! So does that mean that we're all impoverished? In some ways, compared to others, yes.
It's what we do with our poverty that makes it a bad thing, or a good thing.
My sons are always broke. The oldest is in college and tells me that he cannot afford to buy water, special foods, or clothes, and that he is the only one in school that wears this severe of worn clothing. So to his peers, those around him, he is poor. But I look at his situation and tell him, "You've got a secure roof over your head, your education is paid for, and your basic staples are taken care of - you have it better than most!" But in his world this is not how he sees it.
My middle son, just turned 18, is poor in every sense of the word to his peers, but still works hard to improve, not only himself and his situation, but that of those around him. He works hard to promote learning and growing. To "put away his childish things" and teach others that it's time to get on with the business of Life. He has donated his time, his hair, what little money he's had, even his computer(which works, while he sleeps, for others) and is still trying to find more ways to help!
I'm very proud of all of my boys, but they have very different outlooks on poverty. My youngest, who is 9, thinks he's poor because he doesn't have the latest and greatest games and equipment, but to the less fortunate kids in our neighborhood, he's sickeningly rich! It's all how you look at it...
In the Global aspect of poverty, there are poor countries, poor people, and poor living standards. The ones I deem as truly impoverished are the ones that have their children dying in staggering numbers from starvation and illness, have no clean water to drink, cook with, or bathe in. Fight daily to stay alive in the hopes that help will come the next day. We should be sharing our wealth with these ones - we're all of the same place and the best society is the one that lifts the other, and gives without hesitation that which was so generously bestowed upon them.
There are many countries that have this epidemic. There are also countries that appear to be in bad shape, but their people think of it differently. To us, they seem destitute, but for them it's the only way of life they've ever known and they live happily, content in the lack of material things. They don't need our help, they need us to quit judging them!
As artists, we believe that not making decent money for our work makes us "starving artists". It's almost laughable to hear this phrase.
I witnessed an entire community that had no electric, proper tools, running water or bathing facilities, create some of the most astounding carvings and furnishings that I'd ever laid eyes on and they felt it was normal to work in these conditions and put out this amazing art for mere pennies. They would work on an item for weeks and sell it for $50 US and be the kings of their
communities - I thought them poor, but they knew their life was better than mine because they appreciate what they receive from their labors more than I ever could! And by being in such a state, they enjoy more contentment, joy, satisfaction, and pride, then I'll ever be able to...
I think as artists we should give more - we take more - and receive more than our peers - maybe not monetarily, but in currency that has far more value! We work from the soul, to inspire the soul. We feel more and see more than our richer neighbors and create art from our encounters. We receive praise and gratitude from the heart, far more valuable than the paycheck an accountant receives. And, we are free to express ourselves and live a life more full for living how we want to live...
We should be doing more to lift our neighbors, to bring them to the place that they don't have to fear for what the day may bring! By not helping we are hurting ourselves and the world at large. We could live our lives as we have for decades and never feel anything about the peoples of these poorer countries, but who knows what we lose by this behaviour?
With starvation and worry, there is no creativity. We could, by doing nothing, be stifling the next Rembrandt or Monet! Merely by doing nothing!! Everyone should have the opportunity to live a life without fear and hunger and we hold in our tools the means in which to help!
What can we do? Think about the question - there's so many answers!
To put my words into action I will personally give all of the profits from December 2008, online and off, to the aid of those less fortunate. Maybe in doing so I will learn to live with less and therefore be able to continue on through the remainder of the next year as well!? In the eyes of those around me I may be poor, but my talents are rich in what they can give back! :)
What will you do?
Shaving head for Cancer Kids!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Such a busy weekend! Work, work, work and my 'little guys' were busy too!
Tyler's going to be shaving his head to help support kids who are 
loosing their hair to chemo treatments! I thought he was crazy at first but as he says, "it's just hair, it will grow back. Some of these kids will die!!"
I'm very proud of his efforts in helping others these days - he even donated $40 to autism last week!
It would be so great if you would click on the link and either donate or just offer some encouragement!! Click on Tyler's picture or the link below to help :-)
Please stop by and help in any way you can - going through your senior year in high school with a bald head (not a good look for Tyler! lol) is a daunting mission, but he's so sure of how he wants to help, I can do nothing but support him 110% and shave his head for him!!
Thank you in advance for your support! =D
https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.html?ParticipantKey=2008-55407
In other news, Leanne received her Keepsake Portrait Box this morning and wrote, "Hi Freida, It's just arrived this morning! Thanks so much, it looks really great, you've done an amazing job on it! Thanks again :o] Leanne x".
Thank you Leanne! It was a great pleasure to get to work on Sandy's box with you!!
Well, I guess that's all for now - I could always write for hours, but who's going to read my ramblings!!? lol
As always, "Thanks for stopping by the shop!"
Freida
EFA Birthday Bash - Celebrating EFA's 1st Birthday
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Everyone's coupon codes are out and I wanted to make sure all my peeps have theirs! When you shop be sure to use coupon code "DEER" (without the quotes!) in the checkout to be sure you receive 20% off of EVERYTHING you buy from September 15th thru the 30th of September!! It's an awesome celebration and I have already started receiving plenty of inquiries - hence this blog post! =] If you have any questions, please see this post for more information... If you have ANY questions after reading that, feel free to write me at deermountainwoodart [at!] earthlink.net.
EFA's turning one - and believe it or not, I'm feeling older! lol Just like when the kids' birthdays come around!! It's been a great year and a lot has been donated to the animals - what better way than to support them by SHOPPING! Best of both worlds =D Be sure to check and make sure that the store you're shopping at is a member of EFA(Etsy For Animals) so that your shopping dollars go to the support of animals! You can also go to the EFA Store and buy items that 100% of your purchase goes directly to the animal charities!
That's it for now - thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida
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