Skip to main content

Karen Blessen Journals

American Love Project

An open journal with a cactus photo on the left page and handwritten text titled "Deep Divisions" on the right.

People, Plants, Animals
Kelly’s giant prickly pear — a plot of smelly mush.

Deep Divisions
March 9, 2021

All the trees are brown
and the sky is grey.
I’ve been for a walk
on a spring day.
......................
Well, technically, it’s winter,
but in a normal year, by March,
spring bulbs are in bloom and
all the trees & shrubs are greening up.
Not this year. Post the big
freeze. Sidewalks & yards are
full of dead, fallen leaves.
We wait to see what will
survive.
......................
What is in full verdant growth?
The American Love Project.

Open journal featuring the "AMERICAN LOVE PROJECT" with colorful tabs and handwritten notes.

AMERICAN LOVE Project

What happens when artists in 50 states combine lessons of love and mutual respect with powerful visuals and words to create and share art? You're about to find out.

Funding: $125,000 FROM The HUDSON Fdn. WORDS by POPPY Logo: KB.

Open journal with handwritten lists and illustrations, featuring a photograph of a priest and artwork of archways.
  • Faces
  • Wings
  • Patterns
  • The Flag
  • Birds
  • Flowers
  • Apples
  • Words
  • Super Heroes
  • Stars + planets + clouds
  • Food
  • Fish
  • Hearts
  • Blackhand
  • Ruckets
  • Music
  • Love
  • Owls
  • Art supplies

Priest in doorway at Lalibela in Ethiopia.

Teacher's Doorways

ARTISTS MAKING A KINDER WORLD

  • ARTISTS:
  • A. Brielle
  • Billy Hassell
  • Alejandra C.
  • Jorge G.
  • Abi Salami
  • Vic to Nýauqi
  • Riley Hornby
  • Juan Tomas Bartlett
  • MGI
  • Mariam
  • Madiath
  • Douglas Smith (Richard Solomon)
  • Liz Boyd
  • Shelley Hamilton
  • Phoebe Little
  • Josee Bisaillon
  • Boppe Giacobbe
  • Elizabeth Rosen
Open journal with handwritten text and a sketch illustrating themes of discouragement and motivation.

First moments of discouragement in this project. No money is raised for the DCof the project. Front runner is nervous. I question— What is the right direction? What direction do you seek? (TURN TO GOD ALONE, AND THEN NO THOUGHTS OF SELF AT ALL) What must accomplish what we are hoping/trying to do? What is the deepest hope? What truly matters in this? Left hand. What truly matters in this? The process. The stuff that happens in the hearts and minds of those who...

AUGUST 1, 2021 participate. The big installation does matter. Keep your engine going through the turbulent race.

CARRY HEART i carry your heart i carry it in

Open journal with photographs and handwritten notes, including a to-do list and colorful tabs.

Love Field Airport
Main St. Downtown Dallas

what's next?
NEED TO DOS:

  • Announce winners (check)
  • Contact (check)
  • Statement to Family
  • Release forms from winners
  • Products from winners art (check)

Look at finances.

  • Poster by all teachers.

Release forms
Call Betsy
Check w Bernstein 
2021 TV letters
Bob re products, tomorrow

Open journal with handwritten notes and photos of a cat named Sparky.

In Memorium Sparky
We said goodbye to Sparky on June 2, 2020, at the age of 22. After P.Nut died, Sparky lived another 2 months. He'd been deaf for quite a while and became blind within days of P.Nut's passing. I miss him.
AGING
These pages are from the special BEAUTIFUL cat journal.