The Cozy Cabin

Last week I had another artist reception - this time at The Cabin Coffeehouse and Cafe in Bemidji. I've had my photo cards on display at The Cabin since the summer, but now I am the featured artist for the month of December so my whole line of cards and prints will be available through the end of the year. It was a fun evening and the first of my art receptions where my parents, Tom & Yvonne, were able to attend. So cool! Even though they have "officially" flown south for the winter (and driving their motorhome out West), they fly in for the holidays so we can spend Christmas together each year. It works out great for everyone!


How ironic that the owner of The Cabin, Noemi Aylesworth, and I go waaaaaay back... in fact, we were on stage together in the Paul Bunyan Playhouse production of Oklahoma! back in 1993. It's still hard to believe that was 16 years ago... but what fun memories I have of that show and the other seasons at PBP. Lots of good friendships created those summers. Good times :o)


So now it's approaching the holidays and time, once again, to reconnect with family and friends. I made a quick trip out to Hawaii again this Thanksgiving to visit my Hawaii Ohana, and that was an amazing trip (as always). You can read more about some of my insights gained on that trip on my Balance Factor blog. Hawaii always grounds me in a way unlike any other place on earth... probably because it's so naturally beautiful and commands your attention and respect. Mother Nature is in full bloom on the lovely islands and she's not afraid to remind you of it every day. Ahhh, Hawaii - Aloha au iā 'oe.

Wishing you a safe happy holiday season and happy new year.

Namaste,

The Ambassador

A Nod by National Geographic

This past week one of my favorite photos was selected as a featured choice for the 2009 National Geographic International Photography Contest - quite an exciting event! Now I need your vote. Please take a moment to rate my photo as part of the public voting portion of the contest. Voting ends November 8th. Just go to:

• http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/voting-machine
• Select "Category: Nature"
• Select "October: Week 4"
• Rate each photo - mine is the last in the series ("View from the Top")
  

When you've finished voting you will see the combined average of ratings for each photo. Remember: voting ends November 8th, so cast your vote as soon as you can. You can also download a copy of "View from the Top" as your wallpaper by visiting: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/2009-wallpaper and selecting my photo. 


What an exciting adventure my photography has been. I was just accepted into the Susan Fryer Voigt Gallery this past week and will be featured next weekend in Art Attack - an annual art event at the Northrup King building in Northeast Minneapolis. My photography will continue to be featured in Susan's gallery throughout November and December. I will also be the featured artist at The Cabin Coffee House and Cafe for the month on December with a reception on December 9th. Busy busy!


All of the recent events continue reminding me that whatever you pay attention to does, indeed, expand. So with that in mind, make sure you are paying attention to what you love!


Happy week,

The Ambassador

Art Opening Fun

For the past month I've been enjoying the opportunity to participate in two Artist Receptions and a TV spot for my latest photography line, Inspiration from the World.

On September 26th I had an Art Opening at Wilde Roast Cafe in Minneapolis with a reception followed by a free concert by Eric Himan. It was a great opportunity to visit with friends and family as several people stopped by to see my work and hear my stories; plus, I got to meet Eric and listen to his fantastic songs! You can find my photography on sale and display at Wilde Roast through the holidays.

The next week, on October 2nd, I was the featured artist on the First Friday Art Walk through downtown Bemidji. The Art Walk is a monthly event sponsored by local businesses. Each participating business has an artist of the month, and during October I was chosen to represent Bad Cat Creations, the funky novelty store and gift shop downtown. The owner of Bad Cat, Christina, is featuring my entire line of photo cards and prints (both framed and unframed) throughout the month. Pretty exciting!

Then last week, the local television station, Lakeland Public Television, contacted me to do a story on my artwork. One of their reporters, Ashley Soukup, came to my house last week and recorded an interview which aired on the 10 o'clock news last Friday. To access the broadcast, click here (it's at the end, 25:15). I feel that Ashley did a very nice job portraying the purpose and intent of my artwork. Preparing for the interview was also very helpful since I am writing an application for a Bush Artist Fellowship (BAF) grant for 2010. This grant would make it possible for me to continue traveling the world, shooting my pictures, blogging my stories, and then sharing them with people--especially kids :o)

Part of my application process for the BAF has been to write an Artist's Statement about my work, what I do and what it means to me. Here is what I've drafted so far:

"My passion is to teach and inspire people through my photography. By traveling to destinations throughout the world and documenting my experiences, my goals as a teacher and artist are to make visible what might have gone overlooked; remind people to pause and notice the beauty that surrounds them; and help replace a fear of the world with curiosity.

I find my most powerful work comes from moments of discovery and during times of solitude and introspection. Whether the photo is of a brilliant sunset, rugged mountain with a single tree or animal in its natural habitat, my focus is on revealing the beauty contained within that moment. I want to remind people wherever they may be to pause and notice the beauty around them—to move into a state of appreciation for something they literally didn’t see before.

My photography invites both questions and curiosity: "Take a look at the world. What do you see? What interests you? What is beautiful? What is a little scary? What do you want to know more about?" I strive to instill a sense of courage in those who appreciate my work by motivating them to venture out and experience the world. In so doing, they may stumble upon something profound along the way.

To that end, in fall 2008 I introduced my photos and stories to junior high Geography classes through Michael on the Move—an opportunity for kids to learn about the world through my travel blogs. Broadcasting from India via the Internet, I spoke with kids and answered questions about my photos from India, Asia, and Europe. In winter 2009 I brought Michael on the Move to the classroom, making a personal appearance and connecting with the kids directly to share my stories. In response, many students were inspired to continue the conversation by making comments on my blog. One student wrote, “I've always wanted to travel to India and experience the different culture…you have inspired me.”

During summer 2009, I moved my artwork into the community by sharing it in art shows, craft fairs, and gallery receptions at local cafés and gift shops. Inspiration from the World is my first artistic endeavor for which I have a book, photo cards, and prints. I chose to focus on this theme as a way to connect with the community and share my favorite moments of inspiration with others. I was also interviewed by a local television station that featured a story about my mission to teach people about the world through my photography. These experiences have added richly to my artistic and personal development, confidence, and sense of purpose.

Whether I am speaking in the community, visiting a local school, displaying my photography in an art show, or connecting with people online through my photo galleries and blogs, my objective remains the same: to teach and inspire people through my photography."

We'll have to wait and see how it turns out... I've still got some editing to do. But the process of writing the statement is amazing--it really allows me to put things into perspective. After all, I want to continue to focus on what I love as I'm implementing the new business plan for my life!

Have a great week.

The Ambassador

Fun in Sconnie

Remember those summer vacations when your favorite cousin would come to visit for a week and you would pack all sorts of fun things into a short time? Suddenly three or four days felt like several weeks as you would enter the creative zone and do whatever it was you both felt like doing--it was awesome! This summer I had a couple chances to visit my buddy Shawn as he was working in Wisconsin, and our adventures reminded me of those summer vacations with my cousin.

Shawn has been performing at the Festival Theater in St. Croix Falls this summer, playing several characters during their summer repertoire... in fact, Shawn played was given the opportunity to stretch his acting talent when he was cast as seven different characters in only two plays! The first show, Four by Two, was a romantic comedy montage where two actors play eight characters in four short plays; and the second show was Sylvia - another comedy about relationships and the life of a man and his dog. I was fortunate enough to see both of those shows and witness Shawn's amazing talent.

So during my visits I stayed with Shawn out at Loretta & Jerry's farm, a few miles north of St. Croix Falls. Loretta and Jerry were kind enough to house Shawn for the summer (like a host family!), so I was given the official guest treatment each time I would visit. I got to experience all sorts of new things on the farm like meeting the lambs and lamas, and seeing how wool was spun into yarn. Loretta has several looms and creates amazing rugs and tapestries from their own wool. Wow! Their farm is full of animals and artwork - truly an amazing place.

During his days off, Shawn and I did all sorts of fun things like hiking, exploring the fish hatchery, driving up to the Franconia Sculpture Park (totally cool!), eating lots of great food and taking walks around the town visiting with the local folk. When we hang out together it's like we are a couple of ten year-old boys and the world is a new adventure to explore. So much fun! We also had a great time playing with my camera--taking snaps of the many places we visited as well as "photo painting" with glow sticks at night. There's so much creativity in photography, and I got to explore all sorts of new creative techniques this summer.

All-in-all, I am thankful, once again, for my friends--of which Shawn has become one of my favorite. True friends are those people who take the time to just hang out with you, challenge you to continue being your best, and the ones who know "who you are" (and remind you when you forget). Thanks, Shawn, for making a part of my summer so much fun!

The Ambassador

Worth A Thousand Words

When I bought my new Nikon D40 digital SLR camera a few weeks before I left for India in 2007 I really had no idea what I was about to create. Ever since the high school days of my Olympus OM-10, a camera for which I had saved my dollars for months and months to buy before my move to Finland, photography has always been something that I found intriguing - being able to capture a moment in time through your own unique perception and then share it with the world was and idea that always amazed me.

Before I left for India I took a couple of my "muse walks" through the parks of Minneapolis and around the lakes on uptown, taking snapshots of whatever captured my attention. I started to practice using the settings on my camera and started taking a variety of shots during the day and at night. I was totally getting into my new toy. When I finally arrived in India I took my camera with me literally everywhere I went - to work, site seeing, morning walks, and especially on my monthly trips to various countries. My camera suddenly became a direct extension of my body - a somewhat permanent fixture attached to my right hand like some sort of assistive apparatus... and I loved it :o)

Over the course of my 12-month expatriate assignment I took over 14,000 pictures - or, as my Indian friends call them, "snaps" (short for snapshots). "Over 14,000 ??" You say. Yes. And many of them can be found in my online Picasa galleries. Nearly each adventure, event, trip, etc., got some sort of attention from my camera. If Michael showed up at a celebration or function you could assume he'd had his camera, and all of my expat friends eventually grew accustomed to having their picture taken all the time. I figured this assignment in India was such a unique opportunity - I didn't want to miss out on the chance to capture as much of it as I could!

Now the fun part: those pictures are becoming part of my present life because they help to showcase much of the beauty and splendor that I was privileged to experience during my worldly travels. I am so excited to be assembling photo books, greeting cards, framed prints, and custom photo gifts using so many of these photos. My first photo book, The Colors of India, was released in May, and soon followed The Children of India, and most recently, Inspiration from the World, a photo book which has expanded into three lines of photo greetings cards and prints.

My Mom and I have been hitting the art fairs recently and my photos are a hit! I sell my cards, books and prints while my Mom sells custom-made bracelets and cards, and we get to talk to people so I can tell them the stories behind the pictures. I've also found a local store in Bemidji to sell my card lines and will be a featured artist in the Bemidji Art Walk in October. In Minneapolis I've gotten the nod to display my prints in a popular coffeehouse as well as an art gallery in the warehouse district. Great fun!

If you'd like to check out my new line of cards and prints, simply follow this link. Until I get my PayPal link uploaded you can order cards or prints via my page as well. Check it out.

Funny how certain things in life seem to "find you" sometimes, isn't it? For this, and so many other things, I am grateful. My photography has allowed me to share my experiences and stories with so many people in ways I never thought of - how cool is that.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer!

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Let me show you the world through my eyes.

Inspiration From The World

Today I released my third photo book, Inspiration From The World - a book that began as set of 4 photo greeting cards which best expressed natural moments of inspiration from nature I received on my travels last year. The original set of 4 photographs has now grown to a collection of 20 images shot at various locations around the world, each designed to bring feelings of peace, hope and inspiration to those who view them. The photos were taken at following locations:

• Barcelona, Spain
• Rome, Italy
• Alps of Switzerland
• Salzburg, Austria
• Kerala, India
• Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Kandy, Sri Lanka
• Singapore
• Zermatt, Switzerland
• Bemidji, Minnesota
• Tea Fields of Sri Lanka
• Kabini, India

I feel so very privileged to have had the chance to visit these amazing destinations and bring back some of the natural beauty that exists there... what an adventure. You may view sample pages of the book (and my other books) at http://www.blurb.com/user/mthomas29

I hope this book brings to others the feelings of peace and inspiration these stunning places brought to me. Order your copy today (Best option: Hardcover, Dust Jacket) and begin to enjoy the beauty of the world in your own home. Such a lovely conversation starter to compliment high tea & biscuits in the solarium!

Namaste,

The Ambassador of Goodwill

Benefits of Travel

Now that I have returned from my 12-month expatriate assignment in India I have more time to travel up north to Bemidji to see my parents. This is one of my favorite things to do for many reasons: I get to connect with Tom & Yvonne (two of my best friends); I get to take a 4 hour road trip (woohoo!); I have time to unplug from the city and be entertained by the beautiful northern Minnesota scenery; I plug in my iPod or crank the radio and sing as loud as I want; and, most importantly, I have time to reflect and ponder--often on the shores of Lake Bemidji.

Those of you who know me are aware that I deliberately travel somewhere every month. I started this practice about three years ago. I realized that I wanted to experience more of the world, have more unique experiences and meet more people. So I decided the best way to do this was to force myself out of my comfort zone (home) at least one weekend per month. As fortune would have it I just happened to based on Bangalore, India, this past year so my monthly travels were on an international scale. Now that I'm back in Minnesota I can reconnect with the U.S. Do you realize how many amazing places are right outside your back door?? The U.S. contains an eclectic mix of amazing people, places and experiences. Get out of the house!

On a higher level I've come to realize there are significant benefits to this monthly travel:

• Removing myself from immediate "life environment" gives me perspective and can often see things from the outside looking in. This helps me reframe events and circumstances, often bringing me clarity and more insight about my life and my relationships.
• I have the opportunity to plan spontaneity--meaning I don't have to have plans, per se, outside of where I am going to go and how I'm going to get there. This freedom allows you embrace the present and be open to whatever happens next. And for avid "planners", this is your opportunity to let go of control and what's going to happen next! Trust me--it frees you.
  
• I place myself in situations that I would normally not have experienced just by "being there".
• I can connect with friends and family by visiting them in their world. People are, truly, all that really matters.
  
• Doors of opportunity are now available that wouldn't have been before--I am exposed to new environments, cultures, people and experiences. I am learning more about myself and world around me by just being open to it.
  

As the holiday season is now upon us you may or may not be traveling, but I still encourage you to take time to reconnect with the people and places that bring you the most happiness and joy. And if you find yourself stuck in a rut this winter and need a good shot of perspective, try a weekend trip!

Happy Holidays.

Hawaiian Ohana

Being the avid traveler I decided to spend Thanksgiving with my extended family in Hawaii, or my Hawaiian "Ohana" (the Hawaiian word for family). Even though I just returned from India a few short weeks ago and visited my Mom, Dad, sister and nieces the first week I was back, I had decided that my November trip would be back to visit the tropical breezes, green mountains, and soft white sands of the islands I called home for over 10 years. It was time to reconnect with my Hawaiian roots--a timely and apropos activity after spinning from repatriation these past few weeks.

Just as I had imagined, it was (as always) paradise. It didn't take long for me to slip off my shoes and socks and replace them with my flip-flops; remove my jacket and sweatshirt and replace them with a cool light t-shirt; throw my jeans in the corner of my hotel room in lieu of cool and comfortable board shorts; I was back!

Even though I had gotten my own hotel room, I spent quite a bit of my time at Doug's Waikiki apartment with him, Jason, Micky, Brynn, Joe, and the rest of the crew... our crazy ohana. We had turkey dinner with all the fixin's for 11 of us on Thursday, and the rest of the time was spent kickin' back and enjoying what Hawaii has to offer--sun, beach, fresh air and the most beautiful sunsets on earth. Not only is Hawaii naturally beautiful, it is also the land of aloha--a word which means more than just "hello" and "goodbye", but love, welcome, spirit, friendship and connection. The spirit of aloha is a feeling that never leaves you--it travels with you wherever you go.

I enjoy visiting Hawaii and I still feel connected to her after these many years. I was reminded of this as I strolled down the Ala Wai Canal on my second day--my feet suddenly sprouted roots that shot out into the ground digging deep into the red volcanic soil; the tradewinds filled with the sweet smell of flowers and green earth became my breath; the sun beams shined warmly on my face and I could feel the water settling around me like a cool blanket; I had reconnected with the islands and I felt home again. I could feel a surge of new found inspiration for my writing, especially my balance factor project, and I felt the waves of motivation rising within me... I was "amused".

During my visit I also got to visit with Sheila, Grant, Steve & Kathy, and our newest Target leadership, Rob & Gina... did you know that we open our first Hawaiian Target stores in March of 2009? Only four short months away! An exciting event for all of us.

So talk about gratitude and thanks--this was such a fantastic and appropriate holiday to spend in one of my favorite places in the world. As I have dropped anchor in Minnesota, Finland, Hawaii, and now India this past year, I consider myself to be one of the most fortunate individuals on this earth. I have friends, family, and even people I've never met who I can connect with on a regular basis--such an international network of family and friends--such a global ohana. And the nicest part of it all? It just keeps getting better!

Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much), Hawaii. You are, and will always be, a part of me.

Aloha

New Blog Launched!

So I thought it was time to start a new blog... not a replacement of Michael's India, but yet the next chapter of my life as I continue to travel the world, meet people and write about it. I will attempt to add 3-4 blog entries per month depending on my latest adventures. Most of the time I have no idea what is going to happen next in my life but I can't wait!!

For all of you that followed Michael's India, thank you for all of the positive comments and feedback as I explored India and beyond over the past year. The memories created during that year will be forever in my mind and heart. What a truly unique and valuable opportunity for which I am so grateful. Thank you, Target, for making my expatriate assignment possible!

For access to my photo galleries, click here. I am also planning to fire-up my blog for my current project and upcoming book series, The Balance Factor (which I set-up this summer), so please keep on the lookout for more info and links.

Thanks, again, for following my adventures. Stay tuned!!

Happy and Safe Holidays to One and All