New Model of Creatvity in Arts & Business

A grassroots business opened by artist Dorothy Fagan today utilizes art & poetry in an effort to finance land conservation and creativity education.

The web-based business features the artist's own books, bookplates, videos and a gallery of original paintings which offer a refreshing look at the landscape. By interpreting the earth's messages through paintings, viewers are able to use creativity in productive new ways.

Profits from the website support land conservation and the artist in creating new works of art and writing.

VISIT Conservation Series: If I am the Earth website>

Win this original oil painting and help support land conservation

You could win this original oil painting by Dorothy Fagan, if you have the winning bid at The Williamsburg Land Conservancy's Silent Auction this fall.

Barefoot, oil on canvas, 6" x 8", with frame 11.5" x 13.5"

The oil painting, donated by the artist, is inspired by the Bethel Beach Preserve in Mathews County, Virginia. "I love to paint on location with my bare feet in the sand. It makes me feel rested, relaxed and full of joyful spirits," says Fagan. "I hope my painting captures that feeling. It is so special to me and I hope that others will appreciate what I love most about this special connection with the earth."

Barefoot is featured in Fagan's new book, The Suncatcher. In the book, Barefoot illustrates Fagan's poem, If I am the Earth. The illustrated poem, like a meditation, invites readers to ride through the creative process with her. View an animated video of the illustrated poem.

You can also support land conservation by purchasing a First Edition, Signed Bookplate of Barefoot. A portion of each sale goes to support the continuing work of land conservation and stewardship. Barefoot Bookplate, 6" x 8", printed with archival inks and paper, $45. PURCHASE

To bid on the painting, call The Conservancy office with your bid and credit card before October 9th at 757-565-0343. Live bids will be accepted at The Conservation Challenge golf event on October 9, 2008. Winner will be announced at that event. All monies raised in the silent auction go to support The Williamsburg Land Conservancy.

Jim Waggener Portfolio

My work is inspired by the craggy textures and vivid colors of the earth created by the forces of nature. I interpret the visual and emotional beauty I see created by this timeless action through my hands. By using the force of my hammer, I form the metal and integrate patinas along with other physical elements. Stunning transformations result ~ both in the art and in me as well.

JAMES WAGGENER GALLERY l

Dorothy Fagan Portfolio

My paintings are inspired by the colors of the earth. I paint near my home along the Chesapeake Bay and where ever I travel. Through painting and writing about my paintings, I discover insight into my own life and purpose. My art enables me to see my life as a whole more clearly ~ to know without question that I am doing the right thing.
Discovering this, I learned to look at my paintings as if they were dreams. This enables me to view them with fresh eyes ~ to see things about my inner SELF which were hidden from my sight. I share these IN sights on my blog, Wet Paint. Perhaps you will see something of your SELF in them too?

DOROTHY FAGAN GALLERY l BIOGRAPHY l BOOKS l BOOKPLATES l WET PAINT

A Sparkling Vision

A Thousand Voices by Dorothy Fagan

I attended the annual Board Retreat for The Williamsburg Land Conservancy on February 9, 2008. Part of the Board's work during its' retreat included the creation of a vision statement. During a lively discussion, the following words were simply jotted on a placement and shared with the group.

A world in which the developer and the environmentalist dance on the harvest moon . . . Where children run through meadows and fully understand the value of clean air and rivers . . . Where the citizens of our community continue to salute the majesty of this area as a result of our conserved and protected land.
~ Joe Harrow, Williamsburg Land Conservancy Board Member

The painting shown here is my own work which enabled me to see the vision for this project. In those Thousand Voices, one will be the piece of artwork which truly captures the vision written here. It will be selected from entries and featured prominently here and in my book, and sold as bookplates from this exhibition. I look forward to reviewing the entries and discovering who created it! ~ Dorothy Fagan

Morning Gift

The following is a Stream of Consciousness Written on January 27, 2008, the morning of my son and daughter-in-law's 27th birthdays. I began by writing a letter to the Earth, thanking her for the gifts I have in my life. Gratitude, an essential component of the Creative Process, connects me with the Flow. The 'letter' following it flowed from my pen when I completed my letter. This is an example of how Stream of Consciousness Works of Art & Creative Writing are created . You can try your hand at it by following the instructions in the participation links. I invite you to submit yours for publication in If I am the Earth!

Dear Mother Earth,
Thank you for my husband ~ my companion and lover who is here for me; keeping me company, loving me, always. Thank you for my comfortable, warm and cozy house. My safe place in this world where I can have my beautiful studio; to paint whatever I like, garden and entertain friends.

Thank you for my family; my children and their children who show me how to feel pride and love in their accomplishments; my brothers and sisters who teach me respect; my father and mother who have taught me to love, work, parent and explore.

Dear Dorothy,
You are Welcome! These things you thank me for have always been yours. These things are your destiny in this life. Though you may have taken them for granted ~ I am thrilled that you are now owning them! Hooray! (the sun comes out on a grey day as I am writing!)

I send you a Joyful Spirit ~ Fill you with sunshine every day of your life. It radiates from your spirit ~ Brightly shining on everyone in your path.

Know that you carry it with you always.

Much Love,
Mother Earth
Pictured: Sunrise at New Point, oil on panel