American LOVE Project_052

Item

Open journal with handwritten text and colorful fabric tabs on the left page; extensive handwriting on the right page dated June 19, 2021.

Title: American LOVE Project_052
Alternative Title: American LOVE Project
Creator: Karen Blessen
Date: 2021-2022
Description: The image showcases an open journal displaying two pages. The left page is predominantly blank, featuring a small rectangular box drawn in pencil with handwritten text inside and above it. There are also fabric tabs of varying colors, including red, orange, purple, and green, visible on the left edge. The right page contains extensive handwritten text in blue ink. The text is written in a flowing, somewhat cursive style. At the top right corner, a date is written: "June 19, 2021." Several paper bookmarks are inserted at the top of this page, with visible text on them. The background is black, creating a contrast with the white pages.
Identifier: 2021_010621 to 2022 060222_The American LOVE Project Journal
Dates Completed: January 6, 2021 - June 2, 2022
Keywords: Insurrection; January 6; US Capitol; Texas freeze; Infrastructure fragility; Political instability; Power outage; Water disruption; Internet loss; Medical services disruption; Mail delay; Dallas weather; Lorraine Lienemann; Cancer; Grief; P. Nut; Sparky; Cat loss; 22-year-old cats; American LOVE Project; 29 Pieces; Violence response; National project; Art installation; Washington DC; Covid resurgence; Online gallery; Student art; Educator art; 24 states; Team collaboration; Project outcome; theamericanloveproject.org; Anne Frank; Diary takeaways; Lessons learned; Studio visit; Darryl Ratcliff; Journal viewing; Strategic shift
Transcription: Left Page:

We live with love.
[In the rectangular box] Intuitively narrative — inspired by (Box)
Right Page:

June 19, 2021
OK. Here we are. So much going on — it’s dizzying. One bite of the elephant at a time.
Today. Emotion got the better of me. No outbursts just internal. That familiar blank, slightly frightened look when the subject of raising money comes up.
I fell back into that emotion in the throat feeling I had with so many board meetings. Futility. Frustration.
I fall into a negativity that I can’t afford and must move past quickly.
There is no way around the frustration though.
[In the margin] (well, there is. But it is real.)
[In the right margin] On the fine edge of learned madness.
Rights: To inquire about usage, please contact Archives and Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
Is Part Of: American Love Project
Relation: Image Gallery