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.

Rachel Corrie Mural in Rafah

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice funded one of the water filtration systems at the Afaq Jadeeda Kindergarten in Rafah, Gaza.

The memorial mural in Rafah was one of eight murals painted by American and Palestinian artists as part of the Maia Mural Project.





To find out more about Rachel Corrie, please visit the website.

Sunday Sketches

Yesterday Maxine, Ray, and I hiked the Marmot Pass - Upper Big Quilcene in the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington. Amazing waterfalls in the first section, beautiful wildflower meadows in the second section, and scenic views of so many peaks from the top. It was a gruesome hike of 3,500 feet elevation in 5 miles, but worth every ache and pain.

The wildflowers were spectaular!






The view at the top of Marmot Pass was awesome!





I chose one of my favorite wildflowers to sketch: Wild Tiger Lily

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....

Another Mural in Gaza

Our second mural in Gaza as part of the Maia Mural Project was painted at the Shatea Kindergarten outside wall. The inspiration came from one day at the Summer Camps that take place in Gaza City. About 15,000 schoolchildren in the summer camps of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Work Agency) flew around 10,910 hand made kites. It broke the record registered last year in China when people flew 10,565 kites.




Here is the sketch for the mural:


And the mural.....

Alicia Martinson one of the artists of the Maia Mural Brigade

Sunday Sketches

There is something magical about butterflies.

I was doubly fascinated watching my 16 month old grandson follow this tiger swallowtail as it lighted around the yard.

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.