Chautauqua 2010 Evoking Through Art

A short video that explores the relationship between dialog, art making, and community building. This conversation took place at this year's Chautauqua gathering where we explored the Learning Journey in three days: the call, the journey, and the return. Enjoy!

A Poster for Sustainability

This poster was designed in collaboration with Toni McMurphy, Organizational Development Consultant with Infinite Impact, and Jim Stueber, Director of Facilities Engineering at Washington University School of Medicine. Toni and Jim will share this image to support a talk they're giving called 'Sustainability as a catalyst for individual and institutional transformation.' They're doing amazing work building bridges and providing opportunities for people to live and work more sustainably.

Participatory Mural: What is the Nature of Art?

Here's the Visual Thinking mural I set up at the first annual 'Art In Nature/The Nature of Art Festival'. Over 100 artists volunteered to bring their craft to this new festival. In the Visual Thinking area participants of all ages were encouraged to explore the question, "What is the nature of art?" using markers, chalk, pastels, and collage. Special thanks to Nancy Margulies for her help and unending creativity.

Festival Map

In collaboration with the festival directors, I created this map to help guide participants through a multi-disciplinary art festival yesterday in Redwood Park in Oakland CA. It was a treat to see the map wandering around through out the day.

Making a pitch at this year's SOCAP10: Visual Thinking for the win

I met very cool and inspiring young entrepreneur at the Hub SOMA yesterday - turns out that she was in a bit of a fix. She needed to make a sold pitch to potential investors as she networked like mad at SOCAP10 - and she need to memorize the pitch by the next day. Visual Thinking to the rescue! I offered to talk with her for a few minutes, drawing and listening while she explained what was at the heart of her work. I was able to help by drawing a simple image that conveyed the gist of her business and what it offers. She could show the image as she made her pitch, or she could simply visualize it and feel confident that she wasn't forgetting anything important. I got this lovely email from her the following day:

Hey Mariah,

Just wanted to let you know I have been up since seven wrestling with the various forms of my pitch, and your drawings have been a GODSEND. I am just so impressed at your ability to take my stream of consciousness and turn it into something tangible, clear and right on target, and in a visual format no less! So cool.

Thank you!!

Lindsey