Let it Not Happen Again

Today we visited the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. The structure of the memorial was built to look like the waves - the waves of Japanese American citizen rounded up on March 30, 1942. Paper cranes danced in the brisk winds. Little tributes were placed under family names. Please note the ages of these so-called enemies of the state. This atrocity was committed during an act of war.

Today's ethnic group, the Muslims were being detained without cause or due process at the airports all across America this weekend. Who will it be tomorrow? Will it be you or me? Will it be our children or grandchildren? Can we not learn from past mistakes?

Let us never forget! 

Let us fight for democracy for all peoples. 

The travel tag every detainee had to wear. This group of Japanese detainees were sent from  Washington State to Death Valley and then later relocated to Minidoka Idaho. 

“Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”

FDR’s First Inaugural Address

Unfortunately, we did not hear such wisdom last week. 

A new year

Where to start?
It has been such a long time since my last post. Frankly I have been too upset, too dispirited to do much. It has been hard to concentrate on anything else but the state of the union. I have managed to put the drama aside and make a few books for others.

I used the Tim Ely Drum-leaf method. That makes 17 journals/sketchbooks so far using his technique. He suggested we challenge ourselves to make at least 20 in the first year after his class. I do believe I am going to reach that goal too.

These travel journals are 4.5" x 5.75"  They fit nicely in the hand and in the lap. For two of the journals I put in two long sheets of watercolor paper folded such that it opens out for two landscape drawings.

The top journal was printed using my handmade rock stamp and over-painted with earth pigments. The Asian covers were images taken off line, but the others are my own photographic images.

I hope they bring pleasure to the recipients.

the backside...

Looking ahead... this year's Puget Sound Book Artist exhibition is themed - "Musings on the Northwest". I may have to go into serious isolation so my spirit may rise for the opportunity.