Great news which includes a visit to Montreal

I'm sitting in Sabine's kitchen...
My ears are serenaded by Vincent Delerm and my eyes are following a naughty and free squirrel whose purpose, it seems, is to carefully jump from one branch to another of grape and kiwi vines which hold Sabine's porch in a bold embrace.

I'm in Montreal, visiting and enjoying the much welcome imminence of Spring.
Yesterday, in the city of Montreal, I saw a gallery of Inuit Art the doors of which had already been closed by the late hour but the promise of tomorrow was born by the wings of a beautiful owl staring right at me. Most of the bird was comprised of whale bones including her body - a very large whale vertebra. Today, if it doesn't rain too badly, I will head out to the gallery in hope of meeting the sculpture in person and looking for more.

This vacation feels like a nice reward for a very busy few months. 2011 has brought much vivacity into my mostly quiet studio routine.

• Several of the LilianaBead Collections are available for sale at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston in conjunction with the Chihuly Exhibit. It's been about a month and I've already filled 3 large orders! My hands are begging me to take a break while my spirit is thriving. I enjoy the fact that customers enjoy the work I make and choose to adorn their body with it!

Berry Extraordinnaire Collection

• Water is a part of the 10x10x10 Small Works Show at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Consider going by the center as it is a wonderful oasis for anyone who loves glass or is contemplating whether to fall for it perpetually.

Water

• Pennaceous will travel for the next 12 months as part of the ISGB Convergence III Exhibit.

Pennaceous

What now?

Well, I'll enjoy the rest of my stay in Montreal. My host and dear friend not only has a beautiful home and a happening porch, but she's also got a brilliant mind and a loving heart. Thank you, Sabine...

Consider a stronger democracy and please make your voice heard.

Dear all,

I don't usually write to ask for political help, but I am now.

I am really worried about the serious assault being made on a number of government programs that to me are at the core of a fair, just, and democratic society.

Here are items the US House has voted to eliminate entirely or cut deeply:

NPR and PBS
Public financing for presidential elections
AmeriCorps
the Corporation for National Service
civic and history education programs
immigrant civic integration grants
enforcement of net neutrality regulations
election reform grants from the Election Assistance Commission
Fulbright and cultural exchange programs
Head Start
block grants for jobs for inner city youth
Environmental Protection Agency
mass transit

I'm sure I'm leaving out some items.

THESE CUTS ARE NOT ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET; THEY ARE ABOUT A RADICAL RESHAPING OF U.S. PRIORITIES. 
The wealthiest Americans have had their tax cuts extended.  No one dares touch the military budget. If you'd like a particularly egregious example, the House voted to continue funding $28 million per year for the US military to advertise at NASCAR events!

Please write to your senators and congressperson.  

Better yet, call their offices.

Tell them you want these programs (and others you believe in) saved.  

Tell them to reduce military spending.  

Tell them to tax fairly. 

• Write to your newspapers.  
• Write to your friends.  
• Donate to progressive causes if you wish. 

This is serious.

Thank you for considering this message and call to action.

Liliana

see:  www.strongerdemocracy.org 

Come and visit with Phil and I on February 20th.

Join us

Phillip Glenn

&

Liliana

for the event

hosted by

Miriam Gallery

and 

organized by

Experimental Art & Business Club

on

Sunday

February 20, 2011

6:30 pm

(click on the link above to learn more about the event)

Hope to see you there