I posted this on Facebook first and then a FB friend put a link to Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" (oh, yes, way before the Black-Eyed Peas (though I love that version as well.) I told her, and I'll tell you, that it is one of my favorite songs ever (along with "Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin"), and it was used to such good effect in the movie, "Definitely, Maybe" although it was a favorite of mine waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before that!
Everyday People
If you're interested, I found the entire "Definitely, Maybe film on YouTube in sped-up French! Voila!
Meet the dreamy, beautiful, edgy work of Dreama Johnson Kattenbraker. I met Dreama back in '97 or '99 at the Naperville Riverwalk where I fell in love with a woman's ceramic head that she had made. I wanted it so much, but it was out of my budget. I have utterly regretted not getting that piece of artwork to this day!! (There's a lesson here of course--if you ever love a piece of art, no matter what--get it! It's one of those things that beautifies your life and soul for the remainder of your days on earth!)
Years later I asked Dreama if she still had it, but it had been broken in an accident. Sob! If only I had sent her bi-weekly checks for $20 for awhile!
It was a little like this piece...hmm, a little bit:
Anyway, Dreama, like her art is beautiful, intelligent, complex, creative, and a staunch animal lover. The next time I ran into her she was showing her art at the Peoria Art Fair (you may not know it, but the shows I listed are some of the highest-rated fairs in the country-that's how good she is.)
Earlier that day I had just rescued a cat, and as we talked about our day, I mentioned it to Dreama. What does she do, but sell me 2 beautiful goblets for a hugely discounted price for the good deed! I have never forgotten her kindness. I wanted to post the two goblets here, but I have them at my mom's house where we used them as guests at a tea party. I'll update this post as soon as I get a snap of them.) Here's a sample of her work:
Here's another favorite of mine--so, so beautiful!
I initially only knew Dreama as a ceramacist, but she is a painter as well. To see more of her work, visit her Facebook page here.
Her son, Scott Kattenbraker, is also an artist, as is her daughter-in-law, Lisa Telling Kattenbraker. It's a family affair!! Which....makes me think of this:
