The Soulistry Blog

The first time I heard someone look at something I had created and say "June, you are an artist," I was taken aback. An artist? No, not me. I can't draw or paint or do calligraphy or sculpt or quilt or ... I just play. And then it dawned on me ... just as beauty is in...

Yom Hashoah begins this night at sundown.  It is a time for Jews and all of the world to pay respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule - millions of people: gypsies, gays, clergy, ordinary citizens, Jewish people, many of whom had no idea they had...

I saw children shooting hoops,a crocus, snowbells, daffodils,an art gallery on ZOOM,dishes that needed to be washed,a mom with a smile, pushing her little one in a stroller,a cashier wearing a mask,weeds growing in the yard,colour on leaves, on cars, on clothing, in...

It's not a good day for many in the world. And especially not for those in Ukraine. Two years ago today, Russia invaded Ukraine.And on this, the second anniversary of that terrible event, tangling in colour helps distract me from the sterile black/white images in my...

Difficult times.  These are difficult times. It's not unusual to feel "down" about the future of this world.  It's not unusual to not be able to feel joy.  It's not unusual to want to curl up with a book in bed or binge on tv shows that take one's mind away from war,...

Tomorrow, February 14th is going to be an unusual day for those who like to mark Valentine's Day and for whom Ash Wednesday is part of their faith. This year, they both occur on the same day!Around the world, people will gather to receive the ashes on their forehead...

A true story: He was about eight. She was about seven. They were talking about another child, a classmate who stuttered. When their mother said "She can't help it. Be kind," the two children laughed. "Why?" the boy asked. "You make fun of Mrs. Baker. You're not kind...

The month of February can be difficult for many. Social media and local stores focus on Valentine's Day to the hilt. Many have outlived their partners ... parents have outlived their children ... children have outlived their parents/siblings ... close friends have...

Why do we focus on that which separates?Why do we dwell on differences? Surely, regardless of,.. religion... ethnicity... gender... geographical location... sexual identity... financial status... language... birthing order... education... ability... sexual...

When I saw these images, I was reminded of words in the Old Testament: (we are) "fearfully and wonderfully made." <Psalm 139 verse 14>. In the context of Biblical times, the word 'fearfully' was not based on today's understanding of 'fear,' but based on the-then...

Last week, there were no daffodils beginning to grow and no cyclamen flower blooming. I knew they were there ... but they had been covered with snow. A lot of snow! The snow was on the streets, in driveways, in gardens, in parking lots. Over a foot of the white stuff...

It's another day of cold darkness with teary-rain weather in many places.  It's another day of darkness and teary-memories as Americans today remember the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   But instead of his murder being a sign that things must change - racial...

It never ceases to amaze me how similar, rather than how different, people are. And each year at this time, I'm reminded of that truism because different cultures and religions welcome a similar image - a candle - as a meaningful symbol in their rituals, celebrations,...

My dear friends, Tonight,  December 21st, is the longest night of the year.  It's Winter Solstice, in the final week of Advent, just days before Christmas.  This is the time of the year when many are expecting to feel joy, be that because of their celebration of a...

There they were ... perched on a rock, surrounded by twigs and grasses.Seashells.A variety of seashells. What were they doing there?There was no ocean nearby.No sandy shore.And yet, there they were.Seashells and a little wooden star nestled on a path in the woods. I...

I've been playing with alcohol ink again lately. Alcohol inks are vibrant, fast-drying and a highly fluid colour. They work on just about any clean, oil-free surface, are moisture-resistance and once they dry, they're permanent. I had some small pieces of tile and...

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the Hanukkah festival.May it be blessed, happy and safe for all observing Hanukkah in these...

Wonky World. It's a wonky world these days.For some reason, those words wouldn't leave my thoughts last night as I worked on a lovely pumpkin design by Suzanne Crisafi. But for me, it wasn't working out to be 'lovely.' The Ecoline markers I had weren't the 'right'...

Have you ever created something only to have it *not* end up being what you imagined it would be ... a painting, a dinner, a handmade card, a Zentangle® tile, a quilt, a sweater ... likely, yes. And, when you discovered that it wasn't what you had hoped for, did the...