ali's american adventures

I like Tani's the best too. : ) My creativity comes out through playing piano.

#1 Bethany on 2010-06-18 18:03

They are both wonderful but I would like Gagar's.
I love that underneath the external is a colourful, dramatic world.

Once in a while, I write a decent poem. I know it sounds cliche, but if I try to force them in my own strength they sound like a cheap greeting card. Sometimes they flow out and actually communicate real feeling.

You are a talented writer, and I'm so glad for having discovered that.

#2 Deborah on 2010-06-18 18:50

This is such a fun giveaway! Let's see, I like to write also, though I'm not sure if I'd call it a talent.

I would love Tani's picture, if I could choose. We have a friend who is one of the world's worst burn survivors, and he goes to our local burn center every week to talk to the patients and share the gospel. I would love to give this to him to share with the people at the hospital (he is blind now)!

#3 Kim on 2010-06-18 19:58

I love Tani's painting and her story. As for creativity, I would say the closest i come to being creative is my love of baking freshly ground flour, oil, honey and a few other ingredients into freshly made bread. My family appreciates this creativity too!

#4 Lisa K. on 2010-06-18 21:42

You're a gal after my own heart, Ali. I've spent many an afternoon or evening doing crafty things with children. One of the most rewarding of these experiences was when I did Valentine's Day crafts with a group of developmentally-delayed junior high school students. They had such fun, created such fabulous Valentines and made me laugh. It was wonderful when one of the girls asked the teaching assistant, "When is Adam's mom coming again?"

I enjoy doing a lot of different hobby-type things and wish I had tome to do more. I write, take photos and scrapbook them, paint, make jewellery, garden, arrange flowers, make wreaths, and so many other things.

I would be honoured to hang either of these masterpieces next to the beautiful watercolours my own developmentally delayed son paints, although Tani's is the most similar to his work.

#5 janfrn on 2010-06-18 21:48

I love Gafar's artwork! Maybe because I like little boys

My own creative talents lie in many kinds of handwork and writing. However, my painting skills are probably on the level of these kids.

#6 Vanessa (Homepage) on 2010-06-18 23:59

Beauty comes in so many forms!
I think I would also choose Tani's painting. My creativity is also in photography, though I am a point and shoot photographer, almost always on automatic. I love most to photograph children, and am told I have "an eye" to catch a moment. I also love flowers, did the flowers for my own wedding, and always have a bouquet on the dining table. I used to say that when I retired from medicine, I would open a flower shop, but now I am travelling to a ship in Africa instead!

#7 Nicky on 2010-06-19 00:12

There is something very sweet about Gafar's painting. I am decorating a room for our soon to arrive adopted son who is five and I think it would look great in his room!

I express my creativity in many ways. I like to make jewlery with semi precious stones and freshwater pearls. I enjoy taking photos and have even sold some. I used to do a lot of drawing and some painting, but don't have much time for that these days. Much of my creativity goes into how best to teach my children how to read, write, do math, science, history, you name it! I LOVE it and it sure keeps me busy!!

#8 Lori Schneider (Homepage) on 2010-06-19 01:33

I think that I would love either one. I love how very different they are; precision vs. abandon.

I think my "talent" is appreciating other people's talents. I know that sounds self deprecating, but it isn't meant that way. I really truly get a ton of joy out of appreciating other's work. I do think it is a gift. I don't feel jealousy or feel competitive, I just love how creativity sneaks out of different people in so many different ways.

xoxo

#9 Melanie (Homepage) on 2010-06-19 02:13

Beautiful paintings. Both of them. I think the way tha tGafar's are covered with grey adds an element of mystery to the excitement.

I did a bit of a painting project with my kiddies a while back and love the differences but find beauty in each one.

I'm a bit of a dabbler - but my passion is scrapbooking - preserving memories, and close after that - cardmaking. Today I did a sewing project - my first ever serious one. Two super-hero capes down and one to go.

#10 Tara (Homepage) on 2010-06-19 08:07

Oh my, are both of those beautiful! I like Gafar's the best (and the hint of a face in it) though the colors of Tani's painting are wonderful too! I'd love to be able to frame one of these and give it to my folks for their anniversary next month!

I sing. And occasionally dance.

My folks (retired teachers in their 70s) work at and with a MaSae Girl's School in Tanzania, so I love hearing about the things are helping the people in Africa and I so appreciate your blog!

Thanks for sharing!
Lea

#11 Lea Stormhammer on 2010-06-19 10:18

I too find creativity in writing, in the sculpting of words and the carving of sounds. I find that it is a duality with photography, for both capture an moment in time forever, one just uses shades of ink on a page while the other uses ink to form words that shade the imagination. I also love to find creativity in trying a variety of new and different things, from watercolor painting to pastels, card making to stamping, the challenges of teaching children with special needs to the creativity required to adapt to a world not designed for those with disabilities, to wheelchair dancing and trying to perfect a wheelie in my living room with Sugarland playing loudly. I even find creativity in unexpected places like my AFOs which are a deep purple with constellations of the night sky, and my assorted colors on Converse, and my socks which are always anything but white.
If I had to choose one of the paintings, I would choose Tani's because it is created in the same style that I live my life - sing about your blessings and love and beauty and live life with relentless joy and thanksgiving just the way you are.

#12 Bethany (Homepage) on 2010-06-20 04:16

Tani's is the one that speaks to me the most. It's that kind of abandon that I want to live my life with.

As for my own creativity, my outlets are many. I love calligraphy, graphite drawing, photography, poetry, music... the list goes on and on.

#13 Emily (Homepage) on 2010-06-20 18:43

either one, but I love Gafar's. Something about a little boy. I have 3 of my own. And 2 girls...not a lot of time for being adventurous. But I love to sing. And they think their Momma's voice is the best in the world. So I sing.

#14 Laura on 2010-06-20 21:33

From the time I was only a wee girl myself, I knew I was made to be a mother. I dabble in other things like writing and photography but only for fun; my true gift is to mother the 4 gifts given me.

I love both...does that disqualify me?! :}

#15 Dina (Homepage) on 2010-06-20 22:02

I just read about your beautiful ladies this morning, then geared up over the honest love of daughter to father, then realized I missed the original masterpieces! But since it is hard not to, I'm going to comment anyway.

I'm fascinated with the color of Tani's masterpiece, but truth be told either would be a treasure to receive. I left part of my heart in Africa and find myself drawn to bits and pieces, both big and small, of things that make me feel closer to not only all the wonderful crew, but to the beautiful people of color that celebrate life in a way that taught me so much.

I'm a wannabe writer--since the 4th grade...

#16 Sher on 2010-06-22 10:49

I love Tani's piece, such boldness! My brother and I and now my son are the artists in the family, although only my brother is professionally, but art is something everyone enjoys.

#16.1 Marie Leclerc on 2010-06-25 05:21