Second Mural in Rafah

The Maia Mural Brigade was super charged at the end of our time in Gaza and painted two murals in one day. This one was created at Tuyou Al-Jenna school which is one of the sites of the water purification systems so badly needed in Gaza. Bringing awareness to this important issue was one of the main objectives of the
Maia Mural Project.







The Inspiration
Mohammad, Awesome Palestinian Artist

Afaq Jadeeda Association Mural In Gaza

This mural, one of the many painted by American and Palestinian artists as part of the Maia Mural Project, was painted on the wall at the Afaq Jadeeda Association. Afaq Jadeeda assists the Palestinian children's growth both mind and body through various cultural activities. When I worked with the children creating art, their artwork reflected the water crisis in Gaza.







The little figure with its back facing us is Hanthala created by the famous Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali that has become an iconic symbol of Palestinian struggle and defiance. Hanthala is a 10 year old refugee boy with ragged clothes, bare feet, and his back is always to the viewer.

Alice Walker Mural in Gaza

"Boats in the Flotilla sailing to Gaza," was the theme of the mural the Maia Mural Brigade painted at the Beit Hanoun Kindergarden in Gaza City where writer and activist Alice Walker generously purchased a water filtration system so that the children have fresh, clean water to drink EVERYDAY.

As I have shared in previous blogs, the problem of water is at crisis proportion in Gaza. The Maia Mural Project is helping to bring awareness to this issue and help bring about funding for more water filtration systems to all the schools and kindergartens.

Alice Walker was on the Flotilla which was destine for Gaza as an expression of Solidarity except that Israel would not allow the ship to pass to the shores of Gaza.

The Flotilla was made to turned back by Israel.

Here is the mural....

Children of Gaza Tell Their StoriesThrough Art

I was privileged to visit and conduct an art therapy session with the Palestinian children at the Qattan Centre for the Child (QCC) in Gaza City. QCC is a non-profit cultural and educational institution which focuses on the basic needs of the Palestinian children.

With the aid of my Russian interpreter, Natach, the children told me about the water problems they contend with on a daily basis in Gaza.


Pollution, lack of water, misuse of water, and their difficulties were the themes in their art.



One of the children drew a picture of the Israeli bombs and the white phosphorous which was dropped on the citizens of Gaza.


The children made it very clear the problems they live with in Gaza.

Artists in Gaza

I must share this press release of the Maia Mural Project......



Back to painting........

First Gaza Mural

Today was the opening ceremony for the Maia Mural Project at the New Gaza Boys School. There were Palestinian dignitaries from several organizations as well as our Maia Mural Brigade.

The children helped to put the finishing touches to the mural.

I think it looks outstanding!

Children Of Gaza and Art

Today I returned to the Afaq Jadeela Association in Mukhaim El Jadeed to create art with the children.

Water is a big issue here in Gaza. The children are asking for clean water to drink. As part of the Maia Mural Project we will paint murals around Gaza.

I asked the children to create pictures about water. Their pictures told the story of the water pollution and the need for fresh water and a cleaner environment.

The most interesting part of being "lost in translation" was that after I passed out the boxes of crayons and paper, the children just sat there. I did not know what was wrong. Majd came with pencils and the children began drawing.

Here are some photos of these sweet, beautiful children who graced my day.

Murals

A new art expression for me......MURALS!

This July, thirteen artists, art therapists, teachers, organizers, and psychologists from Olympia, San Francisco and beyond will be traveling to Gaza in order to collaborate with Palestinian youth and artists to design, paint and document, A Tale of Two Cities - The MAIA Mural Project!

We will begin our trip with an orientation and training throughout Israel and the West bank, where we will meet with Jewish Israeli and Palestinian artists and activists.

The MAIA Mural Project will be a series of collaborative murals focusing on environmental justice, specifically water or ‘maia’ in Arabic. The group will work with youth and artists in Gaza to paint murals at sites of the water purification units that the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) is installing at schools and kindergartens. The quality of water in Gaza has been eroded, particularly in the Israeli assault of 2008-9, creating a severe health hazard to which children are most vulnerable.

You will be able to follow The MAIA Mural Project as it unfolds on blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr! You will find uploaded video interviews with Palestinian partners, giving you a real sense of our experience and all of the amazing individuals involved. This extensive documentation will become part of a growing global conversation about resources, water, solidarity, cross-movement building and non-violent resistance to oppression.

Example of mural in Olympia which will be incorporated into the project.

The leaf near the upper right corner with the bird of peace, OM, and world is the one I created.

There are many ways that you can support this unique endeavor! Donations of any amount will help towards airfare and paint! All donations are tax deductible and can be made at www.olympiarafahmural.org – click, MAIA Murals.

If you live in Olympia.......The MAIA Mural Project Café and One Big Drawing will take place on Saturday, June 18th from 5-10pm at Mariah Art School, 1403 Garfield Ave, NW, Olympia WA. Come enjoy a nice meal and drinks, and live acoustic music will begin at 7pm. Susan Greene, director of ORSMP and Ziad Abbas, director of MECA will introduce the project and share images from past projects in Palestine as well as the process of ORSMP and the MAIA Water purification units.

This will truly be life changing experience!

Goddess

Goddesses come in all shapes and forms.

I created this one while sharing the practice of art therapy with our International Trauma Treatment Program's practitioner from Sri Lanka. Her graduation and the annual auction will be on Sunday, December 5th from 5-8PM at the Phoenix Inn, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington.

This goddess is made with paper mache that comes in a powder form requiring the addition of water. She is a rather hefty goddess in contemplation; she ponders her true potential by the banks of the river.

Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

What is it that is sooo intriguing about rocks?

I absolutely love rocks!

I also love water. Therefore, the combination of the two became the subject matter for my latest watercolor painting. My focus was depth. I wanted viewers to go deep into the water to discover the rocks below. Playing with the shapes in the water surface was fun, too.

The art therapist in me wondered why the desire for such depth?

Not sure if this painting is done........
Not sure if I really like it or not.....
Might just be an inspiration for another painting.


Comments, anyone?