Thanks again to all those who have been supporting the making of Listen For Joy Art Cards.  In my last update, you’ll remember that I applied for a spring grant to include writing with the card decks.  It turns out that I did not receive that project grant— but something different and in the long run better— I will be given a generous, more broadly supportive gift in the fall to benefit my work in 2018.  What a surprise!  I’m amazed and grateful!!  The autumn financial support will give me some breathing room next year, and will mean that I’ll have the chance to experiment with new art and new ways of connecting that I’ve wanted to try.  This is deeply welcome good news!  I can’t wait to see what unfolds.

Meanwhile, the change in grant also brings a different kind of good news— I’ll be making the Art Cards sooner than later!  I’ve decided to go ahead and offer shorter, more concentrated writing for the decks, and fold that into a Kickstart-type fundraising campaign likely starting in June.  Basically, we and all our interested friends will collaborate to pre-order decks so I can pay to have them printed, and I’ll offer some other fun campaign goodies along the way.  If we’re successful (we can do it!), the printing goal is for this fall!  Hurrah!!

This is the year to hold these cards in our hands.

Last week I sold art prints at the New Mexico Social Worker’s state conference, and so many of those helping professionals are excited to use these decks with their clients.  One woman serving in hospice imagined out loud that she would love to give single cards to her patients along with flowers, to bring specific images of comfort for their dying transition process.  What a sacred, beautiful idea!  I get teary-eyed again just now imagining all the ways the Listen For Joy art will be able to inspire and serve people in the hand-held deck form.

After all this time, I’m still so excited to make these Listen For Joy Art Cards come to life!  It’s been a longer journey than we expected so far… but now I can see the next phases lining up and shining the way forward.  If you haven’t already, please consider signing for my eNewsletter list to get the next email to announce the campaign date and invite you to help get the word out.  Yay!!

With blessing and enthusiasm,

Melanie