Birds365

Kathleen Neylan-Moore in Richmond, VA is creating Birds365...

Why did you decide to do this project? I love owls.  I also need to do something that gives my brain a rest and a workout at the same time--get my mind off of school, work, and chores; my 24/7/365 life.




How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? I had been doing a start-stop-start-stop 365 project thing since I bought your book. I've started a couple of blogs, a business, and a non-profit (Gregg Neylan Memorial Education Trust) in the nonce, and gained three more children.  My head hurts from thinking too much in the box; I need to start to think out of the box and give my brain a much needed rest from the everyday.

See all of Kathleen's birds HERE.

Kathy's Poem-A-Day Follow-Up

Kathy completed her year long Poem-A-Day project on February 20, 2014...

•DAY 17 - Make something inspired by and/or that goes over an eye. 3/6

Cy’s Limerick
There once was a pirate named Cy
A patch he wore over his eye
He appeared very scary
His face was all  hairy
But he was really a pretty nice guy

What are the biggest lessons/skills you learned from doing your project? I can write poetry at the drop of a hat, although I must say sites like RhymeZone are invaluable when doing 365 poems!  I also did many of the projects as well so that was fun and I did things I hadn’t done before like making a paper scale with photos of Twinkies for Day 145 - “Make something incongruous lacking harmony or compatibility or appropriateness.”  I took many photos, a favorite for Day 245 - Defy gravity, a photo of my husband lying on a recliner wrapped up in a blanket superimposed on an outside photo by a fence that looks like he’s floating.  So with the projects I learned to create with things I had never thought of doing before.

•DAY 22 - Create a bridge.  Connect two things in a creative way.  It could be small enough for an amoeba or big enough for an elephant to cross it. 3/11/13

Haiku
Golden Gate Bridge shines
Glowing entrance to the Bay
Towers kissing clouds

In what ways did the project change your life? It sparked my creativity in so many ways and had a positive influence on my day-to-day life.  I had gone through some physical challenges and it really helped me see life in a more positive way.  All better now.  :-)

•DAY 59 - Mix and match.  Work with two materials that generally don’t go together, like markers and bananas or leaves and binder clips. 4/16/13

Republicans and democrats
Go together like dogs and cats
There’s seldom a subject on which they agree
No matter how logical might be the plea

If one votes yes then the other votes no
Regardless of whether it’s apropos
The voters’ will is seldom addressed
Rather they pass the party line test

Now what? I am doing an act of kindness, pay it forward, human connection - not sure what to call it, but a few examples so far:  Sending home made cards to friends for no reason; leaving positive notes in books at the library or bookstore or on community bulletin boards for strangers to find; complimenting those who go above and beyond in stores or restaurants and taking it a step forward by telling their bosses.

But I’m taking a photography class beginning Friday and am thinking I may intersperse with photos on some days as long as I do something daily.

•DAY 60 - Make something that casts a shadow.  4/18/13

A shadow emerges from the dark
Foreboding in the night
A scary silhouette emerges
It’s size heightens fright

The figure casts a shadow
Across the alleyway
Made larger by the streetlight
It’s just the neighborhood stray

Read Kathy's original 365 interview HERE.

•DAY 119 - Create an animal that has never existed before.  6/16/13

I created the perfect animal pet
A combination dog and cat
It barks only when guarding the house
And never around is there a mouse

Can be alone when we’re not home
But doesn’t very far roam
Is fun to leash and take a walk
For rides in the car doesn’t balk

As a baby doesn’t everything eat
Or scratch the couch with clawing feet
Not a flea nor a hair ball
But unconditional love most of all

The Year of The Written Word Follow-Up

Beth finished her 365 project ...the year of the written word... in December of 2011...

What are the biggest lessons/skills you learned from doing your project? I don't think the lesson came until a couple weeks after completing the 365. I was trying to figure out why I did it & what I would do next... It was amazing to have completed a project like that- to survive the hiccups as well as the unavoidable frustrations of that year. It didn't seem like the best work & I wasn't sure what project to throw myself into. I started a few other 365 projects but they all sort of fizzled. Things then started shifting. I found some words of wisdom in a paper, "Don't worry about making things perfect. Every project is a prototype for the next project." The next projects came.

In what ways did the project change your life? My 365 journey was life changing. It jump-started my creativity and made my art a priority again. I realized that if it was important to me, I needed to make room in my schedule to just DO something whether I was sharing it with the world, a few close friends, or keeping it to myself on a regular basis. The creative community that developed in 2011 was Absolutely Amazing. I can't stress how brilliant our group was... I miss my 365 family some days & would love to see where they are all now & what projects they are up to as well after being a few more years down the road!

Now what? Since completing my 365, I have had a photography exhibit in Williamsburg, Va at the Linda Matney Gallery. Currently, Amy Whitehurst (of "Snow Globe 365") and I have a selection of photographs being shown through the VCUHS Arts in Healthcare program in Richmond, Va. This collaboration of snapshots were taken in August 2013 on the VCU Institute for Women’s Health service-exchange program with the Highland Support Project in Richmond /the Association of Highland Women to Guatemala. With photography from the “Marrying Mayan & Western Medicine” service trip which is taking applications for this year's trip!!! We really hope to support the holistic health work being done within these indigenous circles of women by "exposing" (please excuse the photo pun) the haunting beauty of Guatemala. As a Third Culture Kid and global nomad, I believe images (even those with words in them) can transcend language and spark dialogues for sustainable change. We feel so blessed that we want to give back. A percentage of art sales in from this series will go to the Arts in Healthcare program as well as donated to help the Highland Support Project/ AMA’s inspiring mission.

I'm not sure if these shows would have happened if I had not done my 365 project two years ago. I'm excited to see where two more years will take me.

 
Read Beth's original 365 interview HERE.

See all of Beth's Words HERE.