Raven Crest

I am one of those foolish, non-techno savvy individuals who were certain that blogs would be a short term fad. Lesley and Claudine have been after me for over a year to get with the program. "Blogs are the future!” Lesley would say. "Blogging is one way to have a personal connection with people around the world" chimed in Claudine. "But it’s just a journal", I would lament, “I don't get it….who wants to read about me?” Did I mention that I was foolish? Well -- here I am--beginning my blogging journey..
I suppose I should explain WHO I am and how I got to this place. While in school, I tried art classes. The art teacher was not impressed with my endeavors. My clay sheep got a D; sculpture and pottery were not my forte. How about Calligraphy? The teacher says – practice, practice, practice. My hands shake and I have no patience with ink. Got C’s in that class. (I also have warm hands so I couldn’t be a cake decorator either – the frosting melts). I tried oils. I painted. 4 times. My mother has them all. They aren’t bad – you can tell that the ship is sailing and that the apples aren’t tomatoes. But they weren’t “in my head”. Doesn’t a true artist envision an object and frantically fill a sketch book? The best grade I got in art class was a C – obviously I should try choir instead.
As an adult, in my first life, my husband and I owned a pharmacy. This exposure gave me ample opportunity to explore all aspects of retail operations, business associations and event planning. Event planning? In a pharmacy? Yup – always the consummate organizer, it wasn’t long before I was involved in the local Chambers and developing business associations. Flower arranging for annual banquets soon led to becoming a planner of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs and other private parties.

Soon, all of these events brought me to 1987 and my most proud achievement: the direction and organization of the first Festival of Lights at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon. http://www.thegrotto.org/events/lights. The Festival of Lights has continued and is highlighted as one of the premier Holiday events in the city.

All my business contacts soon led me to a short bout in City Hall, but I quickly learned that politics (although challenging and most interesting) was NOT for me. I liked the organization part – but there was no opportunity for artistic creativity. Stuffy old politicians. So I continued with special event commissions and worked part time for an attorney.

My creative outlet was satisfied by designing special ‘theme’ parties, arranging flowers and all that goes along with producing a successful extravaganza. I once hosted a traveling family circus as they were transitioning from an event in Washington State. I wanted them to participate in the grand opening ceremonies of Portland’s Light Rail. Someone had to give them a spot for the lions, tigers and bears….oh my. And since animals are my all time passion – of course they would stay with me. It was quite an experience and one I will never forget.

Stay tuned for the second installment of the road I traveled in the creation of Art and Soul.