American LOVE Project_053

Item

Open journal with handwritten notes and colorful bookmarks at the top.

Title: American LOVE Project_053
Alternative Title: American LOVE Project
Creator: Karen Blessen
Date: 2021-2022
Description: The image displays an open journal with handwritten text and artwork across two pages. The left page is filled with writing in dark ink. It begins with a statement and includes repetitive phrases: "Do not depend on the board" and "Do what works" written multiple times. There is also a note about past board members and the adjustment of expectations over several years.

The right page contains larger handwritten text emphasizing the phrases "YOUR WILL" and "AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US." Definitions of "trespass" are included at the bottom. Colorful bookmarks protrude from the top of the journal, labeled with terms like "THE TALP DECK," "MY JOURNALS," and "ANNE FRANK." The journal's background is a dark surface, enhancing the visibility of the pages and bookmarks.
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:

And that is an expenditure of energetic capital that can't happen.

Do not depend on the board. Do not depend on the board. Do not depend on the board.

Do what works. Do what works. Do what works.

Flashback to blank stares from board members. In 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Then I reset my expectations and gave up the hope of a vibrant contributing board, and felt much better about the work & the org.

Right page:

So. Don't mix backward in expectations. I learned that lesson. Move on.

YOUR WILL.

AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

TRESPASS: ENTER ONE'S PROPERTY. 2. COMMIT AN OFFENSE AGAINST.
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