We Strategize

Some things you don't know about me

This community knows me as a creative, an activist, a community person…. but you may not know that…

1. I am a goofball that loves to crack jokes and laugh. It feel like such a core part of who I am but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to write funny in a way that doesn’t sound forced…. so you get the more straightforward version of me here in this newsletter, sorry!

2. also…..I LOVE sports!

Growing up I played soccer and basketball and volleyball, I ran track and cross country. I skied and swam and biked and played college ultimate frisbee.

I love team sports for the same reason I love painting community murals. I love working with a group of other people towards a common goal. I love how the common goal forces you to bond with people who you never would have connected with…

Soooo….. yes I did just watch a wild amount of World Cup games in the last 6 weeks and nearly lost my voice on several occasions.

There were so many beautiful moments, but also so much to be discouraged about i.e. the US “hosting” and blatant racism and discrimination, the unfair foul calls that favored certain teams, the reversing of the U.S. red card, the bad sportsmanship during the final, etc. etc.

While it was a nail biter and included deeply frustrating calls and rough fouls, I took great gratification in the final between Argentina and Spain. I loved watching the Spanish team counteract the ego and rough play of the Argentinian team with passes and teamwork and beautiful soccer. Everyone loves the stats about shots on goal- but let’s talk about Spain’s 800 some completed passes (and record setting passes in the tournament overall). Their teamwork moving the ball around the field with integrity, strategy and teamwork despite the dirty play from the other players was so compelling and inspiring to me in a setting so poised for ego. (Not to mention the their willingness to use their platform to stand up for human rights and show solidarity)

This month’s new print is about honoring the power of working together and is called, We Strategize. It’s hand screen printed with 4 colors on gorgeous cinnamon colored paper. You can order one of the limited edition screen prints here.

I thought it would be fun to end this email with something funny, a snarky joke, to tie it back to my comment at the beginning, but here we are and I got nothing. I guess I’m just further proving my point. Invite me to your dinner party and I’ll tell funny stories until the moon comes high in the sky - but don’t ask me to write anything funny.

Here’s to the love of the game and the practice of working together,

Jen

p.s. For the screen print I picked a neutral color to purposely not be associated with any one team, but for those of you Spain fans, I have a version of this image with the Spanish team and I am thinking of making digital prints. Message me if that is of interest. My long time favorite player is on the Spanish team- reply with your guess and I’ll send winners a Radici card (hint: it might not be who you think ;-)