West Memphis Three and Johnny Depp

In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scales

If the price is right, there's time for more appeals

The strings are pulled, the switch is stayed

The finest lawyers' fees are paid

And a rich man never dies upon the chair

Those of you who follow this blog know that this case is one near and dear to my heart. The case of the West Memphis 3, who were convicted because of a modern day "witch hunt" which persecuted three boys who dressed in black, listened to heavy metal and lived in poverty; which made them unable to mount a proper defense for themselves. The town was gripped by Satanic panic and was quick to grab any scapegoat they could, even if it ment sending three (albeit misfits) young boys to jail. 

This case has drawn many famous names along with the thousand of us regular folks who believe these kids got a raw deal.

Johnny Depp will appear on CBS's '48 Hours Mystery' on Saturday to advocate the release of the "West Memphis Three." (Can he be anymore perfect?) Depp is not alone in his belief that the men were convicted on flimsy or fabricated evidence. He joins stars like Eddie Vedder, Winona Ryder, Eddie Spagetti, the Dixie Chicks and Disney teen star Demi Lovato in insisting the men were actually found guilty for their fascination with heavy-metal music, Stephen King and the occult.

"I firmly believe Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are totally innocent. It was a need for swift justice to placate the community," Depp says on Saturday's show. "Damien Echols is on death row to be killed by lethal injection."

In 2003, Winona Ryder hosted a benefit exhibition at a Los Angeles art gallery, featuring artwork by Raymond Pettibon, Shepard Fairey and Marilyn Manson stating "They are in my hearts every day, and I will never give up until they're out." During the gallery opening ceremony, Ryder announced her belief that the verdicts of the West Memphis Three were based on "rumors, prejudices and superstitions," and called for DNA testing and new trials.

"I just felt what happened to those kids could happen to anybody I know or even myself , wearing the wrong clothes, listening to the wrong music, having the wrong books in your collection, and most importantly, living in the wrong community. I feel like if that case had come up in Seattle where I live, those kids would never have been in jail. But they live in a small community where they wanted that case closed, they wanted some culprits, and they wanted them fast and these kids were a scapegoat." By -Eddie Daly/Spaghetti

Last month, 'Sonny With a Chance' star Lovato tweeted her support of the ongoing cause. She wrote, "Can everyone just take a second to read this please. www.wm3.org A truly worthwhile cause. Show your support!!!" Minutes later, she added, "FREE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE!!!"
What a shame the ignorance and prejudice by not only the community but most importantly the sham of a judge called Burnnet, perpetuated itself until the shameful fiction resulted in the convictions of three innocent men that have now spent 16 years (and counting) in prison. And yet when faced with the forensic truth and especially the juror misconduct, their tactic is to delay delay delay instead of righting this wrong at long last by saying enough of this nonsense is enough.
If these men are kept in prison any longer it is a sad statement to our Justice system
AND if Judge Burnett is elected to Senate, rewarding his biased and FALSE imprisonment of three 16 year old's who are now 32, where is our JUSTICE?
Depp's appearance on '48 Hours Mystery' airs Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m.

Frida & Diego

My Painting of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

Here is a painting Frida did of herself and Diego

Painting of Frida and Diego by Diego

Below is the picture of Frida Kahlo (1907–54, Mexican painter) that I was looking at when I decided to paint her and Diego. I've been a big fan of Diego but Frida has always been there too. She's always been a prominent figure in my life for several reasons; my aunt is a journalist and lives in, Coyoacán where Kahlo's work is exhibited at the Frida Kahlo Museum, her birthplace and subsequent home in suburban Mexico City. My aunt is a big fan and always showed me her work, bought me pictures and books all my life. When I visit her she is always sure to take me by La Casa Azul which is what Frida called her home.

At 21, Kahlo fell in love with the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, whose approach to art and politics suited her own. Although he was 20 years her senior, they were married in 1929; this stormy, passionate relationship survived infidelities, the pressures of Rivera's career, a divorce and remarriage, and Kahlo's poor health

Something about them just made me want to paint them. I hope you enjoy.

Edgar Allan Poe

My New Painting..Edgar Allan Poe as a rag doll!

Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.' The mere imitation, however accurate, of what is in Nature, entitles no man to the sacred name of 'Artist.' ...EAP

Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man. For my own part, there is no seducing me from the path...EAP

I LOVE Edgar Allan Poe, I remember reading him from when I was just a wee youngster and I've never stopped being a fan. I believe as he did  "I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty." He created so much beauty and is such a big part of my love for poetry. I decided that he needed to be a rag doll complete with his bottle of Amantillado and a Raven. This is all done with Acrylic paint on canvas.

Do you see a resemblence?

That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful. ...EAP

 So dear readers,to quote the Mad Hatter, "Why is a Raven like a writing desk?"

The answer...Because Edgar Allan Poe wrote on both!

10 Things That Make Me Happy

Ok so I got this award from my blog pal Jesse, check him out here: http://www.theartofjesse.blogspot.com/

He's pretty awesome and very encouraging so please enjoy when you pop over to see him. The idea he had on his blog was 10 things that make you happy, so here are my 10 things in no particular order:

1. Making Art, any kind, photography or painting or making cigar box purses or necklaces.

2. Getting and leaving comments on my favorite blogs

3. Hearing from my friends, a call, an email, a comment on my blog or the ever so rare and wonderful hand written letter!

4. Listening to Music

5. Giving my art to people as a surprise

6. Hugs

7. A cup of coffee or tea and a good book

8. My chinchillas giving me kisses, they are my little grey rays of sunshine

9. Laughing so hard you have to catch your breath

10. The ocean, seeing it, hearing it, smelling it, it all comes from being a spoiled Cali gal

Ok folks, those are my 10 things, how about yours?

Mr Postman Brought me Peace

I received this beauty in the post late last night when I got home. Sal didn't tell me it had come as he wanted it to be a suprise. I was so happy, like a kid on her Bday I opened it right up :)

It's a token of gratitude from the Amazing Jennfier Float! (you big sweetheart you!) Just for me being me and us being pals and keeping in touch. It as so sweet and truely made my day especially since I just had my wisdom teeth pulled (I know 30 is late for that ok?).

Look at that great detail of music notes!

http://gallerygirljen.blogspot.com/ for more. Well I've had an idea breawing in my little witches head for some time about a piece for Miss Jen and I think I will begin work on it right  away. I was trying to finish the piece I am currently on, but you can't fight the muse when the muse is pulling you one way!

It's Been Awhile

Hey all, I know it's been a few days since I have posted  anything on here, but I have been very busy. No worries, it's the good kind of busy. I've been working on some painting and using some new medium in my paint so I'm very excited and seems I can't keep my hands off a canvas. I hope to have a piece done tonight. Thank you all for you kind words on my blog and here are some shots of necklaces I made as holiday gifts.

Close Up Shot of the charm on left. The light kind of washed some of the color off the beads in the pic on the left, but on the right is a better shot of the true color

Soldier's Angels

Hey all, I decided to post this information for those who might be interested in joining this great organization.

Soldiers' Angels

is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and their families. Founded by the mother of two American soldiers, we are an international, volunteer-led organization supporting America's men and women in uniform. With over 30 different teams and projects, our nearly 200,000 volunteers assist veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways.

http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=join-or-adopt

There are several ways to help, from donations to different parts of the organization that may need help. I do 2 things:

1. I "adopted" a deployed soldier and send a care package once a month and letters to him once a week.

2. I am part of a personalized letter writing team that sends letters to different soldiers every week. You can get up to 3 names and send letters every day I think if you like to be a part of it. I requested 1 name every Monday and Friday. You send 1 letter to the name, that's it!

Our Motto is "May No Soldier Go Unloved"

These guys and gals are our first team and line of defense. They help us all to sleep a little easier and the least we can do is show our appreciation for their sacrifice. So help out if you get a chance, nothing is too small to do. Join me in making sure

NO Soldier Goes Unloved