I LOOVE these dropcloths. These are the evidence of much wreckless abandon from Messy Monkey participants over the years. I’ve recently had to do a lot of culling, so I ended up donating these to my daughter’s preschool. I was so happy to see them draped over their outside banisters, as I’d always wanted to see them hung up. I know they will continue to be much-loved, & continue to grow in color, memory, & unexpected texture & play. Thanks to all who dove in & may intriguing discoveries, curiosity, & delight come to those who continue to explore in and around, on top, & all over it’s paths.
In “Party in a Box”, you do the “Hokey Pokey”, but in our version you do the “Messy Monkey”, & instead of “shaking it all about”, you “PAINT it all about”!
Here is young gal who finished doing just that! There were so many other CUTE shots of painted bums from this particular party, but unfortunately not appropriate here! 
You are more than welcome to try it out at home tho! Give me a shout! We are putting these “Party in a Boxes” together for you & yours!
I had SOO much fun helping to put on one of my “Party in a Boxes” at my neighbor’s house. If I were 11, seriously, this would’ve been one of the best days of my life.
Hi there! Long story short, I have started a “bed-jumping” project in Cape Town, South Africa, where I actually got Archbishop Desmond Tutu, amongst others, to jump on a bed, with a percentage of sales of future books & prints going to a local charity (http://www.philani.org.za/). I am carrying the project to the States, & need a bed sponsor! I need a classic queen-sized bed & headboard to be jumped on by about 50 different jumpers (ranging from celebrities to cowboys) all over the US. Please check out my video here for a quick look: http://www.vimeo.com/13047262
For more info, see my website here: www.playjumpeat.com
Thanks for your time. Please let me know your thoughts. I really appreciate it, & look forward to the possibility of you joining in on the adventure!
Kelly
I had a lot of fun writing this blog post on Creativity for Eventbrite, & am happy to say that it goes out to 20,000 readers! Thank you, Tighe & Eventbrite for the opportunity to share!
Amazing poem from my friend’s 10-year old daughter:
I am from the painting of a hummingbird hanging on the kitchen door From my cozy bed that I sleep in every night And blackberry apple crisp made fresh I am from the growing maple tree in my sweet smelling backyard Noisy, warm The loud noise of my sister singing in the morning I am from the fern growing in my backyard The juicy strawberries sprouting from blossoms I’m from driving up to Lake Tahoe for Christmas eating hard milk chocolate And the dark hair flowing in the cool autumn wind From *(Mom) and (Dad) I’m from the food made fresh and delicious from hard working hands From “Make your bed” From “Brush your teeth” I’m from chanting in the living room with people from far away I’m from my grandpa’s delicious barbecue made only in Brazil From spaghetti made with fresh tomato sauce and banana bread bought from the bakery From the time we got our striking black dog The sweet music my dad makes I am from creativity.
*She used her parents real names here, but I wanted to keep them all anonymous.
Parents – you have done something right here!
She is beautiful.
awesome.
I have to share this letter recently sent to me from the Fairy Godmother:
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Often in my talks I use the simple logic that to BE Happy and Fulfilled, we need to DO the things that make us Happy and Fulfilled. Sounds simple, right? Yet why do so few of us actually do it?
Observing the Dominicans, I have realised that they DO the things that make them happy – they DANCE (the salsa club behind my apartment is alive and kicking every night); they walk on the beach; swim in the sea, spend time building relationships, and they take life “tranquillo” – which means really easy. As a result – they are happy. Bianca, an Italian women who lives here, commented – “Europeans have everything and are always complaining. These Dominicans have so little and are always so happy.”
It is time to simplify life and just focus on the things that make me happy and fulfilled…. I encourage you to do the same.
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What does my mama think about me producing photographs like this?
In reality, I think I might just like to take all of her friends & put them in a field (let’s say 10 of them?), & throw in like 5 supermodels interspersed, to take a similar photo.
Something about this seems really beautiful to me (tho maybe slightly a return of “Calendar Girls”?, with a bit of a twist?!)
Though I think I may be very hard-pressed to get her (& her friends!) to do it, somewhere I think the idea might just make my mama laugh.
All in all, my mama is an amazing supporter & (#1) fan of my work, though she herself would never ask the church ladies to jump on a bed!!
Thanks, Mom!!
This photo was Conceptualized & Produced by Kelly Vaagsland Wainwright, & Photographed by the very cool Charley Pollard
Dearest Frank Gehry, Dairy Farmer, High School Cheerleader, Cowboy, Dalai Lama & crew -
I recently completed a section of a project in Cape Town, South Africa that I think you might be fond of, & I would in fact Love to ask you to be a part of now.
In a nutshell, I got the Archbishop Desmond Tutu to jump on a bed!
In addition to him, I got local Cape Town maids, surfers, & fishermen to jump (for example) all in their own contexts.
I, the conceptual artist, worked with 4 professional photographers to capture a gorgeous & strikingly light & positive photo series we are calling PlayJumpEat, with our key words being: joy beauty abundance play juxtaposition
We received a great smattering of press on it, including the likes of the following:
- Oakland Local
- Oprah Magazine, South Africa
- Cape Town Creatives Interview
- British Airways In-Flight Magazine
- Elle Decor Magazine, South Africa
- Design Indaba Magazine
We are now taking the project to the States, capturing “quintessential Americans” jumping on the bed, including the likes of:
hunters in Wisconsin, P. Diddy (if we are so fortunate!), taco truck works, cheerleaders, gospel church singers, Frank Gehry, & UPS drivers, etc.
We plan to make a BOOK & have at least one AUCTION, which would help benefit:
Philani – Child Health & Nutrition Project, a community-based NGO out of Khayelitsha (Cape Town’s largest township) serving women & children, referred to us by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu who is a patron of theirs.
To see more of what I’m talking about please take a look here!:
I thought you would be a great fit with my light, positive, & inspiring project. I would be Greatly Honored if you would participate!! I’d be more than happy to answer any of your questions re: the “why”, the history, the process, the response, etc., etc., etc.
We don’t know when we’d be shooting yet. We’d be happy to look at working around your schedule.
Thanks for your time & consideration!
Kelly
ps – this will take no more than 30 minutes of your time!
Thanks again!
