Meet NYC Actor Kellie McCants!!

Kellie McCants is a NYC-based actor who manages to find a balance between her artistic life and spiritual path.  She shared one inspiring, life-altering experience about her work with Farm Sanctuary, an organization that gives life back to animals who have been mistreated on overcrowded, unsafe farms. 

Love and Water- What kind of acting do you do?

Kellie McCants- I've done a lot of stage, but recently have been focusing on television and film.  I've done a few short films this year.

L&W- What are some of the short films you've shot recently?

KM- The first one I shot this year is called "Soliloquy."  It dealt with loneliness and balancing career and personal life.  I did a period film called "Dynamite Thing," set in in the early 1960's.  That was quite an experience to go back to that particular time.  The one I recently shot was called "Spare Change."  I was a hostess.  It was about a jazz artist; a really beautiful piece.  This summer I shot a pilot presentation called "Police Women."  I had so much fun with that, learning some martial arts and running after people.  I just enjoy working on pieces that challenge me and allow me to utilize the eclectic acting techniques I've studied throughout the years, as well as help me find balance in my own life.  I'm a very spiritual person, and I'm open to many different avenues as far as my acting goes.  I think the biggest lesson I've learned to to try to get out of my own way and let the work flow.

L&W- And you're vegan.  Does that help with balance in your life and acting as well?

KM- Yes, it does.  I had an amazing experience in becoming vegan that changed my life in many ways.  When I was 15 I became vegetarian, but I didn't know how to combine foods properly, or in a way that was right for me.  When I graduated from college I decided to intern at Farm Sanctuary, which is an organization that rescues animals in need.  They have a few different locations, and the one I went to is in Orland, CA.  I LOVED it immediately.  It was on 300 acres, and we lived there, in a house painted like a cow.  We left the farm only once or twice a week to get groceries, but other than that we stayed on the farm.  I became vegan there because you had to be in order to be on the premises, and they had cooking classes for us to learn how to do it right.

L&W- What is the premise of the Sanctuary?

KM- They help animals that have been mistreated or abused because of unsafe farming practices in the U.S.  They house them and nurse them back to health.  So we all had jobs and I did the mucking.  I got up at 5:00am and mucked the farm.  I learned so much about animals and their needs.  There was a special needs animal barn near where I stayed.  There were pigs in there who couldn't walk because of being in an overcrowded farm and being fed all the hormones.  The turkeys got bumble foot from the same treatment.  So we had to wrap their legs everyday and dress the wounds they had from being unable to move.  We also had feral sheep who were brought over from Santa Cruz because they were going to be air raided, like what they're doing in Alaska with the wolves- in helicopters, shooting them all, because they're overpopulated.  We would go out in a jeep and disperse hay to the sheep and the bulls.  There was an incredible healing feeling- you could feel it from the animals.  They were so happy to have a chance to live and thrive.

L&W- Did you get close with any of the animals?

KM- Well we had so many animals- turkeys, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, goats, donkeys and others.  But there were these two goats called Alfalfa and Sprout.  They were pygmy goats, and I referred to them as "my boys," because they were the closest thing I had to being a parent.  When I got there they had been abandoned and quarantined in the hospital.  They were so sweet, and it was my job to move them to the other side of the farm to integrate them with the other goats.  It was a gradual process, but it worked out that my last week there was the week they were going to be fully integrated into the herd.  And there is a huge pecking order with goats.  They were getting head-butted, they weren't getting food.  I would sneak them eucalyptus and talk to them and promise them that they would get to eat soon with the herd.  They would always call after me when I would walk away- goats do that with people.  And on my last day, I said to them, "I'm leaving, so don't call after me because I'll cry."  And they didn't.  I was so glad because I was really attached to them- they were so funny and mischievous. 

L&W- It sounds like a life-changing experience.

KM- I learned not only about health and how to eat healthy for me- I used to weigh 228 lbs, and I lost a lot of weight after becoming vegan.- but I also learned so much about the unhealthy farming practices in the U.S.  I think it's important to understand that it's very abusive, the way so many farms treat animals, and it simply doesn't have to be that way. 

L&W- I can see how this could make you a deeper, more integrated person in general, and lend you a new perspective as an actor as well.

KM- It gave me a deeper appreciation for life.  A richer, more universal understanding of what life is all about, and that every being wants to live.  I think it made me less afraid to go after what calls to me in life, and not shy away from what makes me shine. 

L&W- Well that's just beautiful.

Visit Farm Sanctuary here: www.farmsanctuary.org

Meet Sophie Bifield, Social Media Expert for Non-Profits

Sophie Bifield is a social media expert for businesses in the corporate world with an interest in teaching everything she knows to non-profits.  She has spent tons of time researching why more non-profits aren't currently taking advantage of social media trends, and has started a blog that is dedicated to sharing information on how to use social media to non-profits.  The blog will be in full swing starting February of 2010, but you can follow Sophie on Twitter as she tweets about some golden opportunities for non-profits- and anyone interested in better utilizing social media. 

Love and Water- What is the premise of your blog, PROFIT: CHARITY?

Sophie Bifield- It's an information source for non-profits about using social media.  I went through a series of interviews with non-profits, and I was being asked the same question repeatedly about how to use social media.  I found that non-profits have a different set of challenges when it comes to social media, primarily with time.  They don't seem to have the time to devote to it, and many can't yet hire someone to take it over for them.  But also there's not the same return on investment when it comes to social media, because they're trying to raise money, not sell a product.  So many are very resistant to using social media at all, and I think it's a shame considering how much I know it can help them.  So I decided to talk to as many non-profits as possible and gather as much information as I could and help them come up with ways in which to use social media to their advantage.  I'm putting all the information together and I'm going to start blogging about it in February.

L&W- Can you touch on a few key ways social media can be useful to non-profits who aren't sure whether to use it or not?

SB- It's important first to clarify what they want to focus on.  It sounded like a lot of the groups I spoke with are resistant because they don't have a clear objective as to why they want to be online.  A lot of them just thought they should be online because everybody else is, and then couldn't figure out how to utilize it properly for them.  So they chalked it up to, "well, it just doesn't work."  So I think it's important to define what they want, whether it's raising more awareness, raising extra funds.  And once they define that then they can move forward with it.  Also, raising awareness is an excellent reason to be using social media because it does spread information and campaigns on a much larger scale.  If the campaign is right and properly done, then they can definitely raise money through social media as well. 

L&W- What are some of the benefits you've see charities gain from using social media?

SB- My favorite campaign right now is the Care campaign by Eric Carr.  He's calling himself the Million Dollar man and he's using Twitter and Facebook to raise money and awarenss for his cause.  But he's also gone one step further in using this new technology where when he does his iron man he's going to be attached to a feed-through online that will tell people online to see where his heart rate is, when he's got a pain in his leg, anything he's feeling while running the race.  So it will allow people to tell him what to do in real time.  So if his foot is hurting people can say "take a break" or "run faster."  His coach is going to help him pick out the best answers and tell him what to do at that time. 

L&W- That's amazing- what a great example of how to innovatively go the extra mile, so to speak, with social media.

SB- Yes, it's a brilliant campaign, and all the social media outlets he's using are effective because he has such a specific mission.

L&W- What is a good way for non-profits who don't have any experience using social media to begin?

SB- Well as I said it's first and foremost important to have a plan in place.  Then you can move ahead and plan a strategy.  And then to take some time to learn what Twitter and Facebook are and how to use them to your advantage, and that will be different for everyone depending on their objective.  With Twitter, for one thing, it's not a push-for-marketing tool- it's a conversation.  It's a way of interacting with people and letting them in on what you're doing.  Knowing that can help create relationships that could eventually turn followers into donors.

L&W- You are currently tweeting about very valuable information for non-profits.

SB- Yes, well, I try to put out as much as I can through Twitter about tips and opportunities that come up for non-profits.  Hopefully some will be able use it to their advantage. 

L&W- This is such valuable information.  So your blog will be up and running by February?

SB- Yes, we're looking at February, so you can keep it on your radar for then.

L&W- Thank you so much!

SB- No, thank you.  It has been wonderful to talk with you and share information.  I really appreciate what you're doing, and am happy to be a part of your project as well.  Plus, we met on Twitter, which is a testament to what having a good conversation can do!

L&W- Exactly! 

Follow Sophie on Twitter here: @ProfitCharity
Become a follower of her blog here: http://profitcharity.blogspot.com/

Meet the author of iloveentertainmentblog.com, CARLY FRANKEL!!

Carly Frankel is a New York actor with natural producing skills and is passionate about entertainment!  (That's her in her favorite Golden Girls T-shirt!)  Which is why her blog, iloveentertainmentblog.com is truly awesome.  She blogs about the shows she loves, which are the shows most of us love, and all things pertaining to them.  It's one you need to check out if you like The Office, Scrubs, Glee and good stuff on Broadway.  It's good stuff!!

Love and Water- Let's talk about your blog!

Carly Frankel- It's called iloveentertainmentblog.com.  It's mainly entertainment news.  It's just something I love to do, so I thought it might be fun and effective to put it into blog form.  I don't watch every show, but I follow quite a bit. 

L&W- Does it tie into your work as an actor?

CF- It does, although I keep my professional blog separate.  But iloveentertainmentblog.com lets me dive into what I love about my profession.  TV and new media and some Broadway are what I'm passionate about, so it's inspiring to my work to write about what is going on in the field.  I go to shows, I watch TV and I listen to a lot of music.  And I like to know as much as I can- what pilots are shooting, who is producing, casting and directing them- and that's useful information to people in my field.  And to me.  So that's what I post, along with regular updates and fun facts I come across. 

L&W- How has it helped you in your career?

CF- When I first started I wasn't super active in my career and life, so I became super active with my blog.  But now the blog has motivated me to take more classes and put my work out there, so I'm not as glued to it, which I know is a really good thing.  That's what I hoped would happen. 

L&W- How many people read your blog?

CF- I don't know exactly, but I do know at first it was just friends who were reading it and leaving comments, and I loved that my friends were so supportive.  Then one day I got a comment from a woman I didn't know who had been following the blog.  And it was the best feeling!  Because here I am, writing about entertainment along with so many others, and someone was actually interested in my point of view.  Karen was interested in what I had to say about Glee!  So that made me feel really good.  It made me smile.

L&W- Are you looking forward to the Love and Water community?

CF- I think it's a great idea to bring together a community of designers and artists and combine it with raising awareness for charities.  It's a great outlet to go to and do good by just visiting it, let alone participating in it.  And I like how the blog is helping to build what will be a larger community.

L&W- I'm really excited that you're a part of it, and I hope EVERYONE reads iloveentertainmentblog.com!

Visit iloveentertainment here: iloveentertainmentblog.com
Visit Carly Frankel's professional blog here: carlyfrankelblog.com

Happy Thanksgiving from LOVE AND WATER!!!

This design is by artist Brandi Acison, art teacher, designer and photographer from Missouri, and member of the Love and Water community! 

You can see more of Bandi's design work here: http://logosauce.com/profiles/6992

Interview with Michele Mattia of Designing Your Dash!!!

Michele Mattia is a life and business strategist who specializes in social media development.  But most of all, she is a creative, open, funny, evolving human being who will immediately put you at ease and make you feel like you can do ANYTHING!!!  Because she thinks you can!  She's definitely a member of the Love and Water community because she has helped to shape our social media practice.  Her company, Designing Your Dash, allows her to work with people who want to create better lives and businesses for themselves.  I sat down to talk with her about how she came up with the idea for her trailblazing company.

Love and Water- What is the concept behind Life Design?

Michele Mattia- the concept came over two years ago.  I have a friend who has a little girl named Layla who was diagnosed with leukemia when she was two.  When I met her she was five and had had three surgeries and numerous radiation treatments.  I expected to see this little sickly, tiny thing.  When she showed up I , to this day, have never met anyone with her level of energy.  The door slammed, I heard giggles and she came running around the corner.  We were at a friend's house who had a tire swing, and she wanted to get in it.  I was the first person who she asked to push her, and I said I couldn't do it.  She asked why and I started listing all the reasons: what if the rope breaks, what if you fall, what if it's too much for you.  And she looked at me and said, "how come you're afraid of something you don't know is going to happen?"  I knew I was supposed to hear that on that day.  I was running my technology consulting firm, and had a feeling I was supposed to be doing something bigger.  So I went on a silent retreat where I wasn't allowed to talk for a week.  I did a lot of meditative walking whole there.  It was February and there was snow on the ground and one day I was walking and came upon this red barn that had a 'do not enter' sign.  So I of course went around the back to se ewhat was there.  And I found one huge tree among a ton of dead trees that still had its leaves.  All of a sudden I knew I needed to be doing what I loved.  I went back to my room, and by the end of that weekend I had my mission statement for Life Design.  I wanted to listen to and inspire and motivate Life Dashes. 

L&W- And what is a Life Dash?

MM- It's what we choose to do with the valuable time we have between when we're born and when we leave this earth. 

L&W- So when you left the retreat you started Life's Dash?

MM- I sold my share of the technology consulting firm and became educated as a life coach, but I don't refer to myself as a coach.  I think of myself as a strategist.  When I work with people, we're in it together, we are strategizing together and coming up with ideas that work best for them.  When I combine that with my experience in company branding and social media I'm able to help people, and quite frankly they help me.  The last two years of my life have been effortless.

L&W- How so?

MM- Everybody I work with is concerned with how they can use their talents to help others.  And we go on a journey together to creatively figure out how to maximize their work to fulfill them.  I can't tell you what I get out of that.  There are no words to describe it, really.

L&W- Talk about your blog, which is so inspiring.

MM- I've always been a writer.  My blogs are about what's going on in my world.  My "Aha" and "Tada" moments.  I have to remind myself what I tell my clients all the time- to think big, to go after my dream.  That's what I write about.  I want to share this with as many people as I can, so I send my blog through my daily newsletter.  I have a daily quote and daily topics, and I incorporate topics that move me. 

L&W- I know that many many people love your Daily Dash, including myself.

MM- I get letters and emails from people all over.  One woman wrote me today saying that she saw my Daily Dash on Twitter, and said it inspired her to open her own yoga studio, which she had been afraid to do. 

L&W- What about your radio appearances?

MM- They've been SO good!  90.3 FM called me and said they wanted me to talk about how people can utilize social media to help their businesses.  And I thought ok, I hope I have enough to say.  I was supposed to be on the air fr fifteen minutes, and I ended up being on for 45 minutes.  And the best part was that we didn't even get to talking about social media!  We talked about daring to start your own business. 

L&W- How great is that?

MM- Well, it made me realize that I do have something to say- the same thing I tell every person I work with. 

L&W- You've taught me so much about utilizing social media.  What is the one thing you would tell people about how to use social media as a positive tool to connect with others?

MM- The main thing to remember is that social media is about having a conversation.  It's about connecting with others in order to hone relationships through conversing and listening.  If you can have that kind of conversation, you can't go wrong.

Visit Designing Your Dash here: www.designingyourdash.com
Join Designing Your Dash's Ning social network here: http://lifedesignllc.ning.com/
Become a Facebook Fan here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Life-Design/84207166497
Follow Designing Your Dash on Twitter: @Lifes_Dash

Interview with creator of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, LIZZ WINSTEAD!!!

She's the creator of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, developer of Air America Radio, host of "Wake Up World" with Hope and Davis, a regular on The Ed Show on MSNBC, is currently writing her book of personal essays and supports tons of amazing causes. And has two rescue dogs named Buddy and Edie. She's the ONE AND ONLY Lizz Winstead, who I was utterly humbled and totally honored to talk to (and completely doubled over in hysterics)!!!  Here's what's going on in Lizz's world right now...


Love and Water- Hi Lizz! I'm so excited to be talking to you! I'm a huge fan!!

Lizz Winstead- I'm so thrilled that you're having me on your blog!

L&W- I'm thrilled that Norn Cutson put us in touch, and feel forever indebted to him.

LW- Norn is amazing.

L&W- So I have to ask you, as one of the creators of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, can you talk about how that show came to fruition?

LW- Jon and I had been friends for years- we used to do stand-up together. Jon had a show called The Jon Stewart Show, which I was a producer on.  When Jon was asked to work on the David Letterman Show, Comedy Central asked myself and Madeleine Smithberg, another producer of The Jon Stewart show, to develop a daily show for their network. So we decided to call it The Daily Show, because we're super original, and Jon wasn't available to be the host so, Craig Kilborn hosted it for the first three years until Jon came back and took over.

L&W- Your current show on the web is "Wake Up World" with Hope and Davis, which is totally brilliant. Can you talk a little about it?

LW- Yes, Wake Up World is a webseries that was originally a live theater show that we did in New York Off-Broadway and then took it on the road to DC and Minneapolis. It's a satire of morning shows. So we're doing a giant Christmas extravaganza right now. Because as you know, when you watch morning shows and they talk about Christmas they just go on for hours. And it's really just about Christmas. It's like they could care less about the other types of holidays because Christmas is what brings in the most for the economy. Other religions should probably jump in more to see how they can contribute to the economic machine. I mean look at those Hindus- they want for nothing! What are they doing? How are they giving back to the economic machine? Peace? Peace does not keep the engine of capitalism going. So, anyway, we dubbed "Wake Up World" The Six Hour Morning Show, because it just seemed like we were going to have a 24 hour morning show at any moment. The Today show is four hours long- and I just don't know what they have to say after four hours, aside from "does this bracelet make your butt look fat?" And Kathi Lee openly talking about her Cougar thoughts out loud. It's a little creepy.  So it just seemed ripe for parody.

L&W- So how long does the show really last?

LW- We've miraculously condensed The Six Hour Morning Show into an hour. We take you through some parodies and an encapsulated version of the six hours in the first half hour. And then I sit down as myself and interview someone in the news who I think is doing good work and we talk about what's going on in the world and media. For this show coming up with have Greg Mitchell, who is the editor of Editor and Publisher Magazine, who is amazing. So he's going to talk about the media's role in 2009.

L&W- My favorite Wake Up World skit, aside from "Darfur Seasons," which cracked me up to no end, is "freetorturereport.com," because I love the "freecreditreport.com" song so much.

LW- How fun is that? Combining torture and the catchy credit song in your head- singing about torture walking down the street.

L&W- It's pretty brilliant. You also have a podcast with Darbi, your partner on "Wake Up World," right?

LW- Yes, it's called "The Broad Cast," because we're broads, and it's sort of a chicks-sitting-around-talking about the week's news. So the two of us talk about life, and the news, and the stuff we care about. It's our weekly wrap-up of comedy and fun. You can hear us at http://www.thebroadcast.us/ every week.

L&W- And you're doing a huge show for New Year's Eve in Minneapolis?

LW- Yes, a huge talk show/year in review with Ed Schultz from The Ed Show on MSNBC. It's kind of like a crazy drunken Lizz Winstead version of the Dick Cavett show. It's an all-out variety show.

L&W- You support many causes. Can you talk about some of them?

LW- I'm involved with any and all causes that have to do with women's reproductive health. I started a stand-up for choice in Minneapolis a number of years ago for young med students, which gives them money so they can learn the abortion procedure. That is something very important to me, because a lot of times they don't learn that procedure in school and have to go elsewhere to learn it.  Which makes absolutely no sense to me.  I'm also actively involved in the NRDC- I'll do benefits for them.  I fully support IAVA, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which my friend Paul founded.  It helps vets who are coming back from those two wars get their medical benefits and helps them get their lives on track, so it's a truly amazing foundation.  And any animal foundation, I'm all for.  

L&W- What else are you working on right now?

LW- I'm writing a book right now of personal essays about my life and how I got my belief system going. It will come out in 2011. It's been really fun to write.

L&W- What shows can we see you on right now? Are you on the Rachel Maddow show?

LW- I'm on The Ed Schultz show every Friday on MSNBC at 6:00. I haven't been on the Rachel Maddow show, but she's a dear friend. I met Rachel through a mutual friend when I was launching Air America Radio. We were looking for some talent, and a friend of mine recommended Rachel. We liked her demo and asked her if she wanted to come in, and she said, "how about in three hours?" and immediately hopped a bus from Western Massachusetts and we met. I immediately fell in love with everything about her. Everyone does. You occasionally meet people in your life who are wholly genuine, and that is Rachel. It's just an incredible thing to have in your life because its such a rarity. She's funny and smart and is a joy to work with. Working with her for a year on the radio was just amazing.

L&W- And you also know Norn Cutson, our most popular featured artist. (see Norn's featured interview here: http://www.loveandwaterinternational.com/2009/11/artist-feature-norn-cutson-back-by.html) How do you two meet?

LW- Norn was a listener of the radio show I did with Rachel Maddow. We had a very active blog on our show, and I would blog throughout the show and communicate with my listeners and Norn and I had the carziest things in common. I would mention some off-color comment on the air about Grey Gardens or this soap opera that I watch, and Norn happened to have all the same weird tastes that I had. He's kind of the boy version of me, so I thought we should meet, and we did and we became best, best friends. He's one of my closest friends. And he did these wonderful drawings of my dogs. (Buddy and Edie begin to bark)

L&W- They know you're talking about them!

LW- Yes they do.

L&W- Well I thank you so much for taking time to talk with me today, Lizz.

LW- Thank you for having me. I think what you're doing with Love and Water is just great. What a great idea. We should have you on one of our podcasts to talk more about your company.

L&W- Thank you so much!! I would love that!


Watch "Wake Up World" here: http://shootthemessengernyc.com/

Get Tickets to "Wake Up World Christmas Special" here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89749

Experience the Broadcast here: http://thebroadcast.us/

Interview with Christie Lee of The Blind Project

The Blind Project is a collective non-profit organization dedicated to helping young girls who are sex trafficking victims in Southeast Asia.  It was started by three roommates who read one book about sex trafficking and were so moved they dropped everything they were doing to find a way to help.  To better understand why they were so moved, here is an excerpt from their blog, http://theblindproject.blogspot.com/, illustrating one of their experiences:

One unforgettable story that encourages us is that of Qujen. Qujen was 13 years old when her mother sold her to a brothel for a mere $300. She remembers, “I felt like a wilted flower, or a dead butterfly” and was subjected to the whims of nine men a day. After six months in the brothel, she was rescued and transferred to Hagar Cambodia Aftercare. Qujen often feels afraid, but she is slowly healing into a brave and compassionate young woman. “This is me, a lotus flower growing in muddy, dirty waters. My dream is to work in an NGO.”

Love and Water is extremely moved by their extraordinary work.  We spoke to Christie Lee, the community outreach director, about the how the Blind Project is working to help these young girls in need.

Love and Water- Can you talk about how the Blind Project began and where it is headed now?

Christie Lee- The Blind Project started three years ago with three roommates who are the co-founders, Chad, Anthony and Liem.  They're all creative in film and video.  They happened to read a book one summer called "Terrified No More."   It was written by the IJM (International Justice Mission) about a raid they had in a brothel in Cambodia where they rescued really young Cambodian girls.  The whole concept of sex trafficking was new to them, and they were so moved by it that they decided to quit their jobs and went to Southeast Asia for a month to learn more about what was going on there.  They took a camera and met with different organizations who work with sex trafficking victims and went undercover into brothels to see what was going on.  Initially they wanted to make a documentary, but when they got back they thought it could be more effective to start an organization that brought awareness to people in the U.S.  In the past couple of years it has become a collective of artists trying to create sustainable programs for sex trafficking victims in Cambodia and Thailand. 

L&W- What are some of the programs you're working on?

CL- We are creating a line of clothing and accessories called Bio.graphy.  We're partnering with a couple of organizations in Southeast Asia to set up a silk-screening business that allows the women who have been rescued to design clothing hat represents their individual stories.  We're interested in putting value back into their lives, so Bio.graphy is meant to give the women a platform on which to tell their stories and become entrepreneurs.  We're in the middle of that development.

L&W- What kind of help do you find the women who are rescued need?

CL- Once they are rescued, they don't have a positive economic opportunity without going back into the sex trade.  Most of them are caught in a rather vicious cycle, so providing them with an alternative is a way to help turn that around.  A lot of times the women are in the sex trade because their families have sold them into it in order to make money so the boys of the family can go to school.  Or they're tricked into it and they can't get out.  So our program is about emotional support as well as economic opportunities for them.

L&W- What do the donations you receive go toward?

CL- Right now everything we provide is all with our own money.  We have had some fundraisers which have helped to set up the silk screening system.  But most importantly we are about building a community of people who are committed to raising awareness of the issues and working to help in whatever way they can.

L&W- What are the different ways people can get involved?

CL- There are three stages of involvement.  One is the consumer stage, where you purchase the products.  The second is sharing with others what the clothing line is about.  And the third is going with the group to Thailand or Cambodia and sharing your gifts with the women.  For example, I'm a make up artist and I went there and worked with an optometrist and gave over 600 girls eye exams and then make-overs to build their self esteem.  So anyone who wants to go over there and share their expertise in a specific area can go with us. 

L&W- That's just extraordinary.  Are you almost done getting the silk screening system in place?

CL- Yes, we're having a fundraiser in December.  We need to raise around $20,00 to $30,000 to build the clothing business.  100% of all donations go directly toward that project.  But we've already made great progress in connecting with the girls who need help, which is the heart of what the Blind Project is about.

Visit the Blind Project here: http://www.theblindproject.com/
See details for the December fundraiser here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=206630332118
Vote for the Blind Project's Anthony Dodero as a Changemaker on Change.org here: http://www.change.org/changemakers/view/anthony_dodero
Follow the Blind Project Blog here: http://theblindproject.blogspot.com/

Meet Gina Ferraraccio, founder of Cri de Coeur, the most AWESOME line of vegan shoes around!!

Gina Ferraraccio, founder of Cri de Coeur,  is one of the coolest chicks around, not only because she's a kick-ass shoe designer who has been featured in Lucky, Elle, Marie Claire, Daily Candy and InStyle (just to name a few), but because her entire line of gorgeous, cutting-edge shoes and boots is 100% vegan.  How, you ask, can this be possible?  Read on to find out...

L&W- How did you come up with the concept for Cri de Coeur?

GF- I've been a vegetarian since I was around 15.  I was always super into fashion at the same time, and it was hard when I would go shopping and I would see all these leather shoes that were so amazing and I would want to buy them but would feel conflicted. And there weren't really any good alternative options out there that were fashionable and cute.  So it had been a goal of mine for a while to start a vegan line of fashionable shoes. 

L&W- What makes them vegan?

GF- "Vegan" means that there are no animal products whatsoever- so no leathers or glues that have animal products, the outsoles are not leather, and they're made mostly with a faux leather that is polyurethane, which is environmentally friendly.  It's better for the environment than PVC or vinyl.  I also use some ultra suede that's made from recycled plastic and different textiles, like some cotton and hemp canvas for the uppers.  The soles are made of a thermo-plastic rubber.  They're made mostly by hand in Portugal, but I am doing some domestic productions for this coming season, which is in Los Angeles. 

L&W- That's great!

GF- Yeah, it's great to have some of them made domestically, for offestting the carbon when I ship and that sort of thing.

L&W- What boutiques are you selling in now?

GF- Some in New York and Los Angeles, a couple in England and a couple down south.  I also have a store on shopflick.com and endless.com.

L&W- I love the shopflick.com store because of the video of you talking about the line. 

GF- Yes, me too.  It's a good way to personalize each line they feature. 

L&W- What else should people know about the Cri de Coeur line?

GF- Even a lot of people might not be vegan, the shoes are for everybody.  They're not limited to a certain group.  The style and fashion-forwardness have always been my main focus when designing.  Also, people can sign up for our newsletter through the website, www.cri-de-coeur.com, to get info on the latest designs. 

L&W- I LOVE my new Ariel boots!!  They're amazing!!

GF- I'm so glad you like them! 

L&W- So since you've gone to Parsons and are an amazing designer, will you send in a T-shirt design that I can feature on the blog as well?

GF- I would love to.

(see Gina's T-shirt design below!  http://www.loveandwaterinternational.com/2009/11/design-9-gina-ferraraccio-of-cri-de.html)

Visit Cri de Coeur and sign up for the newsletter here: www.cri-de-coeur.com
Shop online for Cri de Coeur here: www.shopflick.com
                                                          http://www.endless.com
Join the Cri de Coeur Facebook Fan Page here: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Cri-de-Coeur/55144755895?ref=search&sid=714264300.3093268521..1

Design #9: Gina Ferraraccio of Cri de Coeur!!

Gina Ferraraccio, founder of Cri de Coeur shoes, designed this killer T-shirt design for the L&W blog.  To read more about Gina and Cri de Coeur, check out her feature above (http://www.loveandwaterinternational.com/2009/11/meet-gina-ferraraccio-founder-of-cri-de.html)

Here is what she has to say about her design:

I definitely wanted to include some animal imagery, and do something deco-inspired, so this is kind of my take on an art deco tree of life.  The text, which you can't really read in the illustration, is one of my favorite animal welfare quotes:
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer

What T-shirt brand do you like best?

OK T-shirt lovers, Love and Water poses the question once again: what is your favorite T-shirt brand?  We like:

American Apparel
Bella 
Anvil

Are we missing a good one?  If not, what do you like about one of the three above?  Let us know...we want to use the best brand to print your designs on!

Design #8: "Birds on a Wire" by Joe Pifher

Joe Pifher is a designer from Columbus, Ohio, who designed this gorgeous image of "Birds on a Wire."  Let us know if you love it as much as we do!

Design #7: "We Come In Peace" by Barry Finlay

Barry Finlay, older bro of the amazing Sarah Finlay, who designed "Cup of Tea," has designed a most appealing and adorable T-shirt for Love and Water.  Check it out and let us know what you think!  And be sure to visit Barry website to see more of his extraordinary work!

www.barryfinlay.com
www.baulddudeskins.com



 Barry Says: To be honest I do not know where it came from, I was just driving home from work and had this image in my head of an alien holding hands with a human...strange I know.  

Interview with Nicky Yates of Charity: Water

One billion people on the planet don't have clean drinking water.  That's one in six people.  Charity: Water is a non-profit organization started by Scott Harrison that brings safe drinking water to people in developing nations, and 100% of all public donations directly fund these projects.  How can you not be in love with this organization??  Love and Water talked to the head of communications and media and Scott's executive assistant, Nicky Yates, about the incredible power behind this AMAZING organization. 

Love and Water- Can you talk a little about Scott's inspiration to start this incredible organization?

Nicky Yates- He started it in 2006.  Prior to that he had done 10 years of event and party promotions here in Manhattan.  Kind of living the high life- Budweiser used to pay him to drink their beer- very indulgent.  He woke up one day and had a feeling there was something more, which lead him to return to his childhood roots of faith.  He spent two years traveling on a humanitarian medical ship called Mercy Ships.  While traveling with them his eyes were opened to so many things other countries are lacking by way of medical care.  And the one thing that he kept seeing were women coming onto the ship with problems that were easily treatable in the United States from water.  So he came back to the U.S. and did the one thing he knew how to do best- throw a party.  And he asked all of his friends to donate money so he could build a project for these people.  He raised around $15,000.00 in that one night, went to Uganda and fielded six projects there to provide safer drinking water.  And Charity: Water was born from there. 

L&W- Can you explain how the projects are built in order to bring clean drinking water to places that don't have it?

NY- We first find groups who are doing exemplary work in the field, and we help them get the project built from start to finish, so nothing gets left out.  Every project involves getting local communities to take part in the training process so they know how to update and maintain it.  They also receive regular routine checks so that they're evaluated once a year, and they get hygiene updates as well.  So every project has a sanitation project in place and hygiene training. 

L&W- What is the current project that you're working on?

NY- Right now we are in 16 countries and we have over 14 projects going on.

L&W- That's phenomenal.

NY- It's really great.  We've really been able to grow over the past four years. 

L&W- What is the most moving experience you've had so far?

NY- Well, I'll tell you one from here and one from out in the field.  Last year we did an exhibition in a gallery space in Houston.  And we use these 4'x6' images to really highlight what we do and what life is like for the people we are helping.  We also use a lot of video.  For this one we focused on a health clinic in Kenya.  So many people were getting sick from drinking from the local river, and we had many of the people we had helped on the video.  And this one woman came in from Baylor Hospital in Texas and it really broke her heart, and she starting weeping in the gallery because she knew how important this was.  Watching it touch her in that way just touched me so much; watching someone really get it in such a deep and compassionate way.  The second one was when we were in Honduras, and we took a canoe down the river for about eight hours to this little village called Rioplatano at the edge of the country.  There was this five year old girl who we started talking to who lived with her grandmother.  We found out that there was an open pit that her grandmother had dug filled with muddy water, and there was all this sewage all around because there was no place for it all to go.  And as I was picking up my pants and carefully trying not to step in it this little girl was walking right through it with bare feet.  And it broke my heart, the level of poverty and need in that area. 

L&W- I don't know that enough people realize that this kind of situation exists.  We take our drinking water for granted because we are so fortunate to have it at our disposal.

NY- It's true. 

L&W- What are the reactions of the people in these areas when you educate them about how to practice better hygiene and drink better water?

NY- Pure joy.  We have video on our site from Haiti where there's just a ton of celebration there.  And in Ethipia as well.  A large amount of gratitude.  They know what it is, they know they're finally getting clean drinking water and it's a gift.

L&W- Have you been back to visit some of the first projects you built?

NY- Yes, Becky Straw recently returned from Uganda to see our first six projects.  She did a story for Good Magazine that came out about a month ago, and we have more of that on our website.

L&W- That's fantastic.  You know, the tagline for Love and Water is "every drop counts," because a lot of a little adds up to a lot really fast.  Can you talk about how you feel about that in relation to Charity: Water?

NY- Well most of our donations are small donations.  We have numerous campaigns, one being a scrapbooking campaign on My Charity Water where the donation is something like $15.00, and they've raised $7,500.00.  That's enough for one water project, and they're halfway toward another one.  Since we give 100% to the field, we see clearly how every little bit matters.  Anyone can create a page on My Charity Water, and start raising money, and it's incredible what a little can add up to in a very short time.

L&W- Thank you so much for taking time talk today Nicky.

NY- It was my pleasure.  Thank you.

Visit Charity: Water here: http://www.charitywater.org/
Join My Charity Water here: http://mycharitywater.org/p/signIn

Meet Megan Schiebe: Global Volunteer Who Will Get You To Do The Same!

Megan Schiebe is an avid global volunteer, and has a blog about how anyone can become a volunteer that helps change the world without altering their lifestyle.  In short, she's unbelievably inspiring!!  In addition to her blog, http://www.travelvolunteersearch.blogspot.com/, Megan also holds radio programs with organizations on Blog Talk Radio.  Love and Water got to talk to Megan about how the idea for her amazing work came about. 

Love and Water- Your blog is just the thing people need to find a way to help and still maintain a busy lifestyle.  How did it come to be?

Megan Schiebe- I work for a publishing company, and I've always been involved in some charity development stuff, but usually just one event every couple of months.  It wasn't until I made a trip to South Africa just under two years ago that I made a change.  There was a huge issue over what was going on in Zimbabwe, and I happened to be in Cape Town when a lot of Zimbabwean refugees were just flowing into the country because of the horrific events taking place in their land and hardly any resources were in place for them.  In fact, when I was there they were not even considered refugees.  I was amongst hundreds of people with no place to sleep, no food, nothing.  I spoke with a lot of them and found most of them just want the rest of the world to know and understand what they've been involved with.  I learned how they managed to cross the border, and what they had to leave behind.  It wasn't unitl one man grabbed me and said, "do you have any idea the capacity you have, living in the United States, to make changes?  You have so much more than you may realize.  You have access to the global community- we don't."  And this light bulb went off and I thought about how I was contributing to the global world and what more I could do.  On my flight back I was flying above Africa and I realized I was above all these horrific events that were taking place.  How incredibly moved I felt to help more after talking to these people and really hearing what they were saying.  It was very symbolic. 

L&W- What did you do when you got back to the US?

MS- I spoke to the United Nations, flew to London, got into contact with other people working on the same issues.  I opened my mind to empathy, and it changed me.  I started having more discussions about how we could organize more help for the people of Zimbabwe.  I started to blog about international processes around the issue, which lead to other ways of helping.  And I loved finding so many people who are still in the corporate world but finding ways to volunteer, if even just a little bit of their time.  That was something worth sharing, because it made others feel they could do it too.  I also feel that people aren't as involved with these issues because they aren't aware of how they can help.  So I try, through my blog, to make it accessible and relevant to see as many ways as possible to get involved.

L&W- And you're doing radio as well?

MS- Well, I've been mostly blogging, but I booked a radio show and I noticed that as soon as I said I was doing the show I was booked up for the next two months!  We're interviewing so many people now for the radio, and it just tells me that people feel comfortable talking on the radio and are excited about it.  We just interviewed Ballet Rwanda, which is an incredible group helping the people of Rwanda, as well as African Well Fund, which builds wells in places where people don't have clean drinking water.  I think also that when people here the enthusiasm in the interviews and get to know what others are doing they begin to believe that they could do it too.  And that's absolutely true.

L&W- How has social networking helped you so far?

MS- I love it!  I think we have to completely take advantage of what we have right now with social networking.  I can't think of another time in history where people have had so much access to each other and to information.  It's incredible, and more people could take advantage of it because it helps everyone when used the right way. 

L&W- What do you think of the concept of Love and Water? 

MS- I love the concept, being so creative, and it touches into a new market and it's a fun way to engage people toward a beneficial goal.  I feel, as I said before, that we have the capacity to do so much good.  And because we have that capacity why not put it to good use and really figure out how we can make a difference. 

L&W- I want everyone to read your blog, because I know they'll find a way of vlounteering that suits them and it's such a fantastic concept. 

MS- Yes, it's true- there really is something for everyone.

Read Megan's blog here: http://www.travelvolunteersearch.blogspot.com/
Listen to Megan's radio interviews here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Megan-Schiebe

Design Day #6: Lovely Little Waitress by Sarah Strange!

Here is a little piece of Friday goodness from our dear artist friend Sarah Strange, whose interview you can read in last Wednesday's post.  She's a Lovely Little Waitress!  Happy Friday!!!

Sarah says:

I feel like her name might be Sarah, and she has dedicated herself to making sure her customers have fully hydrated souls and are filled with Love, as she is herself!

Tell us what you think of our Lovely Little Waitress!
Have a design that we can feature?  Send it to loveandwaterinternational@gmail.com
Visit Sarah's blog here: size8struggle.blogspot.com

Meet Lindsay Shack, NYC Actor and Usana Health Pro!

Lindsay Shack is a New York actor and voiceover star who also has a business with Usana health products.  When she invited me to a meeting to learn more about the products, I learned that Usana is endorsed by Dr. Christian Northrup, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, the sponsor of the WTA tour and endorsed by a number of athletes including Serena and Venus Williams.  So I had her talk more about the products and company so the Love and Water community can check them out too!

Love and Water- Talk about what Usana is and how you got involved.

Lindsay Shack- I'm an actor and am currently pursuing voiceover work.  I was little frustrated working day jobs, and I've always been interested in health and fitness so I wanted to pursue that in a certain way, and as I was looking for something Team Northrup just kind of fell into my lap.  I found information in an ad in a health magazine and looked into what it was.  It's a health supplement company that sells high-quality products.  What also appealed to me was that Dr. Christian Northrup has been endorsing the company for years.  She takes them herself and recommends them to her patients, and her daughter, Kate Moller Northrup, leads the team that I was looking into.  So all of that combined gave me confidence in the company.

L&W- What sets the company apart from other health supplement companies?

LS- The founder of the company, Dr. Myron Wentz, really sets Usana apart because a lot of companies are started by marketers who don't have a scientific background.  Dr. Wentz is a scientist who really wanted to spread good health to everybody way back in the '70's.  That creates an atmosphere within the company that produces high quality products that spreads to the customers.  He is always striving to help people achieve a better, healthier lifestyle.  I've always wanted to start my own business and I really believed in Usana.  So I started my business with them.  We've done presentations for performers over the past two months because it is such a good opportunity to have more income.  Kate Moller Northrup leads all the presentations, and they're very laid back and fun. 

L&W- I know, I went to two, including the spa night!  I've been to meetings before for network marketing companies where there is a heirarchy and a hard sell in place.  I didn't feel that at all with Usana. 

LS- Yeah, we don't do that.  We have such a solid company behind us, and that's what people resonate with.  It's such a good, flexible idea, and the company is really solid.  It has a lot of athletes backing it up. 

L&W- Who are some of the athletes?

LS- There's Jennifer Azzi, who is a retired WNBA star, and Usana has become a sponsor of the WTA, World Tennis Association.  They actually sponsored the Sony Ericson tour and Serena and Venus Williams were the stars of that, so it's kind of cool that they're taking Usana too. 

L&W- Talk about what makes the vitamins unique.

LS- They're pharmaceutical grade.  So say you go to a pharmacy and you look at the ingredients on a bottle of vitamins.  They're not regulated by the FDA, so they can put whatever they want in them and say otherwise on the label.  But if you purchase a vitamin that is pharmaceutical grade they have to out on the label exactly what is in the bottle.  So you can trust that what it says on the bottle is what you're taking.  Usana's tagline is "nutritionals you can trust."  They say that because you know how they're making their products and exactly what goes in them. 

L&W- I'm taking them now, and I have to say that I notice a big difference than the ones I was getting from Whole Foods.  And I'm kind of a vitamin snob.

LS- (laughs) Yes, that's great.  You really do notice a difference because of the quality. 

L&W- Where can people find out about some informational meetings?

LS- Yes, they can go to www.lindsayshack.usana.com.  There is a calendar there with all the events coming up that anyone can attend. 

L&W- I'm so happy you're a part of my community too!

LS- I think Love and Water is a great way for artists to network.  It's a platform to show work and interact with each other, as well as learning more about charities, so it's a great concept all around.  I'm excited to be a part of it!

L&W- And you know artist Norn Cutson, who was just featured on the blog last week!  He did a protrait of you that is so great!

LS- Yes!  I saw some of his work and I wanted a portrait of myself for my voiceover website to make it stand out.  So Norn did this great one of me.  I'm really happy with it.

L&W- Is it ok if I feature it on the blog?

LS- Sure!

L&W- Thank you so much! 

LS- Thank you for talking with me- I really appreciate it.


Visit Lindsay's voiceover website here: voice123.com/lindsayshack
Visit her Usana event calendar here: www.lindsayshack.usana.com
Visit the Team Northrup site here: www.teamnorthrup.com

Interview with Heather Metcalfe, Founder of Artfully Unforgotten

Heather Metcalfe started Artfully Unforgotten as a way to help people in different parts of the world.  As a result, she has changed lives by bringing people in need a sense of empowerment. 

Love and Water- How did Artfully Unforgotten come about?

Heather Metcalfe- I had the idea for a couple of years abut  using art to raise awareness for different communities in need.  I went to law school and took the bar and decided it was now or never; I didn't have any commitments and hadn't landed a job, so it was the perfect time.  So I incorporated, and then temped for a couple of months to raise money to go to Rwanda for the first community.  I wanted to learn about orphans so I could come back and advocate for them. 

L&W- What has gone on between then and now?

HM- Since I came back I've produced four multi-media exhibits that have had video footage I shot there and art made by New York City artists and Parsons Students that served to advocate for them.  It was all African or Rwandan inspired artwork.  We raised money for the orphanage I visited, we've helped put some kids through school, we've collected clothes and supplies for them.  Then this past June I traveled to Afghanistan to start researching issues affecting women there.  I spent three weeks there meeting with women, taking photos and video footage, and I'm now producing a short video and a small coffee table book that we're going to use to raise awareness about women in Afghanistan.  We also want to bring awareness to the united Nations resolutions to end violence against women and to help women in post-conflict countries get involved in developing peace.

L&W- You received a grant from the Puffin fund recently, right?

HM- Yes, we received a grant to develop a theatrical piece about sex trafficking in Eastern Europe. 

L&W- What kind of a piece are you creating for that?

HM- A very simple, portable theatrical production.  The basis of the show will be interviews with girls who have been trafficked, or of experts in the field who know how trafficking works.

L&W- Where do most of your donations come from and how do you implement them?

HM- Most of our donations have come from individual donors, and we've gotten a couple of grants.  But the primary source of our funding has been from the events we produce.  We sell tickets and raffle items and we use 50% of that directly on the cause we are focusing on and the other 50% gets reinvested in Artfully Unforgotten to visit additional communities.  We've never had a big budget, and almost everything has been donated.

L&W- Talk about how a small donations make a difference to you.

HM- Any donation makes a difference.  It adds up.  A lot of people feel that can't make a difference because they don't have enough.  But really, whatever you have, whoever you are, is enough.  It's a simple as donating $5.00 or, creating a piece of artwork, or just being aware and talking about it with others to spark other people's interests. 

L&W- Talk about the basketball team.

HM- When I went to Afghanistan I made a side trip to a clinic called The Orthopedic Workshop and Physiotherapy Center.  They work with people who have amputations because of polio, war, types of fires.  They taught Afghans how to make prosthetics, how to size them, and fit people for them.  And they started a wheelchair basketball team.  I got to watch them practice, and they are very competitive and they want to win!  They play against other basketball teams, like in Kabul.  And it gives them the attention they deserve, because people come out to watch them.  So I asked the clinic director if there was anything I could do, and he said if you could find a basketball coach who would be willing to work with them that would be amazing.  So when I got back I researched and I found a guy named Jess Markt who plays for the Rolling Nicks, and he said he was willing to go.  So we raised a little over $3,000.00 and he is there currently, working with the team. 

L&W- That's amazing!

HM- Yeah, I just got an email from him today about how well there practice went, and there getting ready to travel for their first game together.  It's amazingly empowering for them because they have a way to feel accepted, rather than pushed aside because they are disabled.

L&W- What else should we know about Artfully Unforgotten?

HM- The main message we're trying to get across about women in Afghanistan, which is our main focus right now, is that they don't see themselves as victims.  They've definitely been through more struggles than many of us have, but they have so much hope and strength and are committed to rebuilding their country.  We're trying to help them become a part of the peace-building process and get their voices heard.  So they're not left out of the dialogue of how to rebuild that country.  I think the worst thing we could do is dis-empower them by labeling them as victims. 

L&W- Thank you so much for talking today.

HM- Absolutely.  Thank you!

Visit Arfully Unforgotten at http://www.artfullyunforgotten.com/
If you would like Heather to do a presentation for your school or organization on how to get involved as an artistic advocate, contact her at artfullyunforgotten@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE:
DECEMBER 4, 2009 
See the film, "Voices of Afghanistan"
Best Buy's Loft in SOHO
$20.00 when purchased online: http://www.artfullyunforgotten.com/
$25.00 when purchased at the door
$15.00 with Student ID

Vincent's Ear Tribute

Vincent's Ear has a Facebook fan page that everyone should join, if not because you are from Asheville, NC then in sheer tribute to the cafe/bar in downtown Asheville that catered to the local music groups and created a home for the cultivation of new art, music and talent.  It was forced to close in 2004 when its lease was not renewed.  Here is what Wikipedia says about this legendary landmark:

The dream of owners Rick Morris, Joan Morris and Kristen Chambers, Vincent's Ear opened its doors in summer of 1993. The cafe catered to a late night, downtown-dwelling crowd, which was virtually non-existent in the area at that time.  The cafe and bar also featured live music.

Vincent's Ear was originally intended to serve as a jazz venue, but a loyal crowd of rockers and avant garde musicians soon made Vincent's Ear their home. Likewise, the walls of Vincent's Ear served as a defacto gallery for many local and regional artists who had trouble finding venues for edgier work in the crafts-oriented region of Western North Carolina.

The thriving cafe was closed amid much local controversy in December 2004, when its lease was not renewed by landlord Dawn Lantzius. Many in the local media questioned whether Vincent's Ear was the most visible case of gentrification in the downtown Asheville business community.

Join the Facebook fan page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NC/Vincents-Ear/112689720821


LONG LIVE VINCENT'S EAR!!!

Design Day #5

Jonny Ronblomm is an artist and designer from Sweden, and a member of the Love and Water community.  He created this truly simple yet utterly moving design, Love Your Earth, for the Love and Water blog.  We love it!

Jonny Says:


For me it´s very important to take care of our
earth.  After all it is our mother.  I wanted to create a non-complex symbol  as legible as possible.
And I think I´ve made it.

Artist Feature: Norn Cutson! Back by popular demand!!

SO many people liked Norn Cutson's piece that we featured on Design Day #1, "May Mother Earth Be Blessed with Good Hair," that we brought him back for more!  And this time we talked to him about his process in creating these amazing pieces of art that we like to refer to as gems of fabulousness. 

Love and Water- How would you describe your work?

Norn Cutson- My art is all about putting more love out into the world.  Reminding people to take a moment to be kinder to others and to laugh.  I work in a cartoon style with real emotion behind it, and hopefully that resonates with people and they can feel that there is true intention going on in the art. 

L&W- When did you start drawing?

NC- I've been drawing since I was a baby.  My mom is an artist and before I could even sit up she would hold my hand with a crayon and make circles, and she would guide my hand and fill pages full of circles.  And as I was able to hold the crayon more we were able to make to make little animals out of the circles.  So that's how it began, and I've never stopped.

L&W- How did you come to the style you have now?

NC- I always start with a sketch.  I'm not trying to be "cartoony" for the sake of being cartoony; that's just how I see things.  Everything looks cute and lovable to me and I want to communicate that to people.  I want them to see what I see when I look at the world.  Because to me everything is cute, lovable and sexy.  And I want everyone to be able to see that.  I start with a sketch; I sketch on paper with pencil; and I let everything brew and I keep coming back to it until I have it refined.  And then I scan it into the computer and I work on it on Illustrator. 

L&W- Tell us about your new book, Record Collection Volume I !

NC- The impetus for the whole record collection series was based on my experience with the artist Lynda Barry; she's a great artist and author and a fantastic person.  She teaches these classes called Writing to Remember, coming up with new ways to communicate through story.  And one thing she says is to work in a series, because that way one piece will lead into the next so you don't ever have to worry about what comes next.  And the ideas flow better that way.  So I wanted to start a series and my first thought was to do something with the Hindu gods, because I wanted to do something spiritual.  But I don't know enough about them, and I didn't want to spend so much time researching.  So I decided to do a series on the one thing I love the most and have the most knowledge about: music.  So each piece in the Record Collection series is a tribute to musicians who have moved me and impacted me and my work over the years.  That was a spiritual experience for me to work on each one of them. 

L&W- Where can we get it?

NC- On my site, nornsisland.com, or through Amazon.

L&W- And your Broadway series- was that the same sort of inspiration for you?

NC- I went to see my first Broadway play- Grey Gardens- and was so moved by it that I wanted to do a tribute to it.  And from there I was asked to join the staff of Broadwayworld.com.  I was on staff for three years, and I made pieces from so many plays.  It was a great experience and I'm so glad I got to do that.

L&W- I think your work is exactly what you have expressed: cute, loveable and sexy!

NC- Thank you very much.  Thank you for talking to me and showing my work.


Visit Norn's Island at www.nornsisland.com
View Norn's book online at http://tinyurl.com/nornflikr
Join Norn's Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/NORNCUTSONART?ref=ts
Follow Norn on Twitter: @n69n

Design Day #4!

Artist Dave Lisznia from Miami created these two designs for the Love and Water blog Design Day #4.  We think they are AWESOME and would love them on a t-shirt.  Let us know what you think- we want to hear from you!

David says:

Most of my work for the past few years has been design based:

Lowa, the Love & Water Totem: Is it giggling with joy? Does it have a secret? Is it scared for the future? Who knows? 

 

A Love and Water Logo: MOD Style

Check out David's website: www.tinystories.com.  A series of simple, thought-provoking tiny stories.

Meet Sarah Strange...and be ready to hear a BEAUTIFUL voice!

Sarah Strange is an amazingly talented blogger, actress, hostess extraordinaire, and singing sensation in Toronto, Canada, and is an enthusiastic member of the Love and Water community. Today we talked with Sarah about her blog, http://size8struggle.blogspot.com/ and touched on her blossoming new entertainment duo,

2 Divine!

Love and Water- Tell us a little about your blog, "Size 8 Struggle."

Sarah Strange- I've had a weight struggle pretty much my entire life, and I finally got serious and joined Weight Watchers. It had been two years since I had been on Weight Watchers and I had lost a little bit of motivation. I initially lost just a little under 40 pounds, but then I got a job at a steakhouse and was eating their bread everyday and it was something like 1000 calories, or something crazy, and so I gained back around 18 pounds. I realized it was all about being accountable. So I started a blog as a way to re-motivate myself and become accountable.

L&W- So what do you write about on the blog?

SS- I write about my struggle with my day-to-day, what's going on in my life, my singing and my career. I post little videos of myself- it's just a little slice of Sarah!

L&W- And has it been helpful as far as providing accountability?

SS- It has been very helpful. Knowing that I have to get online and say, "yes, I gained back this many pounds..." is pretty motivating. It's been hard at times- I had a bully for a little while who was sending some very nasty emails. But I guess that's the risk you take when you put yourself out there. I didn't take it to heart, because this is my struggle and no one else's. And I know that I am going to reach my goal.

L&W- And the goal is to become a size 8, right?

SS- Yes, it's roughly around 145 pounds. It's about 26 more pounds, and that's nothing. If it takes me a year, it takes me a year. You know?

L&W- I like that you put a size instead of a number of pounds. Was that deliberate?

SS- Yes, actually, because I'm comfortable at a size 8. I don't want to be very lean because I don't think that's attractive on my frame because I'm not a small person in general. So I don't look healthy when I'm thinner than a size 8. I still want to be curvy- I'm a grown woman in my 30's and I want to look like a grown woman in my 30's. And it's easier for me to say "size 8" than actual pounds because that's not what it's about. The goal is not to reach a number, it is to feel comfortable with who I am and how I feel.

L&W- I love that. Because it's what excites you.

SS- Yeah! Definitely.

L&W- How many people follow your blog?

SS- I have, I believe 19 followers, but many more people who read it. Like some of my regulars at the pub, if I don't post something one day they'll be like, "you didn't post!" It's neat to know that people are out there supporting my journey and supporting my life. It's nice to know. A good feeling to have the backing and support from people who I wouldn't have thought would be interested.

L&W- A different perspective of you.

SS- Yes, that's right. They get a glimpse of who I am, in my soul.

L&W- Do you like T-shirts?

SS- I love them.

L&W- Will you send us your favorite one?

SS- I will!

L&W- What do you think about the concept for Love and Water that "every drop counts?"

SS- I think it's a fabulous concept. I love that people who aren't necessarily fine artists, like myself, can submit a design and have a chance to share our interests with other fabulous artists. And we get to learn from better artists as well. And then a portion of the profits from the shirts go to charity. Even better. It's great all around.

L&W- And finally, what everyone really needs to know is that you are a FABULOUS singer!!

SS- Oh, why thank you!

L&W- I don't toss that around lightly- it's the truth. So where can people hear you sing right now, this very second?

SS- Well they can go to my website, http://www.2divine.ca/ and watch the videos of myself and Katie Beetham, the other half of 2 Divine.

L&W- And they can see your amazing 2 Divine show in action.

SS- Yes, indeed!

L&W- Love and Water loves that you are part of this community.

SS- Well, I love Love and Water.


Follow Sarah's blog here: http://size8struggle.blogspot.com/

And follow 2 Divine here: http://www.2divine.ca/

Drop her a line to tell her how gorgeous and fabulous she is!!


Do you have a blog, a T-shirt or a story you want to share with the Love and Water community? Let us feature you! Leave a comment here, or email us at loveandwaterinternational@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!!

Interview with Jeremiah Caleb, Founder of the Caleb Hope Foundation

Jeremiah Caleb went to Northern India for the first time to visit his father's homeland and came back with the need to make a change.  He started the Caleb Hope Foundation with some friends, and in a very short time has made a HUGE impact in the lives of some of the most underprivileged children and young people in this area.  I had a chance to talk with Jeremiah about his vision for his incredibly humble and extremely powerful organization.

Love and Water- Tell us how you started the Caleb Hope Foundation.

Jeremiah Caleb- I'm an actor- had no intention of doing this.  I had never actually been to India in my life.  I'm from Singapore and then England, but my dad was from India.  He was from the slums.  I was writing a novel based on the life of my dad and I was trying to document it so I went to India for 40 days wearing my father's clothes.

L&W- Literally?

JC- Yes, literally.  I wore a saffron cloth, which is called a Kadi.  So I wore that into the slums, and I came in contact with poverty for the first time, to that extreme.  And the question I couldn't get away from was how can a child possibly live like this, in conditions like this?  I was literally looking at a skeletal body with skin, living on top of each other.  The second question that I had to ask myself was why not me?  How come, these are my people, how did I get the life in America, you know, when I could have been here?  And the only answer I could come up with is because I have to do something about it.  I have a chance to do something about it.  So during that trip I visited an orphanage in the slums that was started by my grand-uncle about 30 years ago for the Dalits (pronounced Dahleets).  The Dalits are the lowest cast; more than the lowest cast.  They're the people who work in the sewers, in the garbage dumps.  And my uncle started pulling these children out of the brothels and the slums and bringing them to this orphanage.  So when I met the children who are there now I immediately grew attached to them, and I got to know them a bit.  When I came back, you know it takes a long time to process a trip like that, so I sat down with a bunch of actor friends and we decided to go back.  So we all went back to visit the kids, and from there we started fundraising and building our organization.  Now we've come to a place where we're almost a 501C3, we're waiting for our last approval, we have 30 children who we're completely responsible for.  They all have sponsors, we write to them, send them updates, and I take the money over and directly interact with the kids.  So people know that the money they give to sponsor their child goes directly to that child. 

L&W- What is the long-term mission of the foundation?

JC- Our mission is twofold.  First, it is really to empower the slum people.  Not to take them away but work with them there to educate and train them so they can have the tools to rise up and create better lives for themselves.  And secondly, to bring together artists from here to create work in New York and LA inspired by these kids in order to raise more money for them.  We have cabarets, we do Rock India, and other shows.

L&W- Where do most of your donations come from?

JC- Ironically, most of the donations come from people in New York City who come to our artist events.  We've teamed up with be.the.change.uganda for a Halloween party this year, and we do a lot of fundraising that way.  A big percentage comes from our sponsors through sponsorship donations, and a lot comes from team members who are going to India.  They fundraise individually. 

L&W- Can anyone sponsor a child through you at this point?

JC- Absolutely.

L&W- What does that entail?

JC- We set them up with a child, and they can pay monthly, quarterly or yearly.  They get a profile of the child, and pictures, and they keep in touch through writing letters to the child.  But the beauty of it is that the child never knows that they have a sponsor.  They think the sponsor is just a friend who wants to get to know them, so even if you end up coming with me on one of our trips, you get to meet the child as a friend, so there is no savior complex. 

L&W- How much does it cost to sponsor one child?

JC- $30.00 a month, which is $400.00 a year, and that includes food, clothing, education, medical- everything.

L&W- What is the most moving experience you've had so far?

JC- I guess two things.  Last year in India we went into a school for the physically handicapped, which was completely falling apart- rats and such.  And our team gutted the place, painted a huge mural on the wall...

L&W- There's a video of that on your website...

JC- Yes, and at the end of it you see physically handicapped children giving speeches about how they never thought they mattered.  Because here in America we have a school for the blind, a school for the deaf, a school for every kind of handicap.   But there, they just lump them all together and throw them into one room.  They're tossed aside, basically, and often disowned by their families.  So here we were building something for them and they were so excited.  So that was really touching for me.  To see that we could really make such a difference in their lives.  And the other thing that has been so moving to me is to see the older kids going off to college.  They come from generations of slum people with no education.  To hear them talk about their dreams- I can be a teacher, I can be a doctor- is really very moving. 

L&W- Where do they go to college?

JC- We try to get them to colleges within their area.  Some go to vocational studies, some go to better schools. 

L&W- And they're accepted there?

JC- Yes, because we've trained them so much at the school to work hard and they end up fitting in because that have acquired those skills.

L&W- You have a school too?

JC- Yes, it's called St. James, which is part of the orphanage.  And apart from the 100 children who live in th orphanage, there are 500 children who come to the school.  It's part of my grand-uncle's work.  He started it.  We also plan to build an orphanage in Koraput in Orrissa, which is a very poor area with no running water.  So we plan to build over there in about a year or so. 

L&W- Those kids must be an inspiration.

JC- There's this one kid who has polio, and he has no legs.  And he dances just like Michael Jackson, in his upper body.  His moves are incredible.  And in this village they were trying to get people to give their kids the polio vaccine, and he rode his bike, with his hand-pedal, over to this pole in the middle of the town, climbed up the pole and posted this sign that said, "do you want your kids to end up like me?  Wise up- get the polio vaccine."  He's so inspirational. 

L&W- What do you think about the Love and Water concept that "every drop counts?"

JC- Well, this work has changed my life.  It has put a whole new perspective on my life, and as you are saying, every drop counts- every single penny counts.  Because in India one U.S. dollar is 47 rupies.  For one dollar I can feed a family for one whole day.  A whole family.  So we try to encourage that.  Every little bit. 

L&W- Is there anything else you want people to know about the foundation?

JC- Every single team member at this point, including myself, are all volunteers.  No one gets paid, and we're looking for other volunteers who know how to edit.  We've made some videos that we can give to the people there that they can use to talk to the government about creating change.  So if we can get them edited, they can really help us do a lot of good. 

L&W- I think you're doing an amazing thing.

JC- It's exactly what I want to be doing.  I'm getting married next year, and we're having the ceremony here and the reception there.  The kids are planning the whole reception.

L&W- Wow!  That's incredible!

JC- We just want them to know that we are here to stay.  They are our family.  That's what we want them to feel and understand.

L&W- Well that's just the most touching thing ever. 

JC- Yeah, they're really excited.  And so are we.

Visit the Caleb Hope Foundation here: http://calebhopefoundation.org/

Follow them on Twitter: @calebhope
Join their Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Caleb-Hope-Foundation/97082547485