Queen for a Day: Celebrating Susanna

We're having a blog party today to celebrate Susanna Gordon, the amazing artistic creator of the Winged Messenger and blogger at Susanna's Sketchbook. I am very lucky to call Susanna a friend and was so happy when I first got an email weeks ago about doing something to honor her. The buzz began to build as a group of bloggers who have been touched by her messengers began to work together, busy like bees coming back to the hive with honey. There have been volleys of emails, polls, wild and fanciful suggestions and most importantly a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for what Susanna does.

It has been so hard keeping this blog party a surprise. Especially  because I'm having dinner with Susanna tonight! When she invited me last night I almost keeled over with the giggles. I can not wait to see her reaction to all the blog love today.

I met Susanna for the first time last year at a blogger's get together. She told me about her winged messengers project. I was so curious to see what they looked like and how she made them. A few months later, I had the opportunity to try out for a  spot to take a video training bootcamp. We had to submit a short video piece to apply. Remembering Susanna, I thought this was the perfect time to exercise my curiosity. When I got in touch with her, she generously invited me over to let me interview her and then she showed me the process she goes through to make the messengers. Finally, we went over to the local train station where I documented her releasing a few into the wild.

The concept of guerilla art based in kindness and encouragement for strangers was something I hadn't experienced before. Watching Susanna work, I was hooked.

Based on the tape I submitted, I was accepted into the video program. So it is thanks to Susanna and her messengers that I learned that skill. Unfortunately, that tape was never returned so I can not share it here. Over the last year, I've left my job as a journalist and moved into the culinary field. Susanna has been so supportive of me in the last year.

I try to support her and her art, too. Whenever we get together, I am always bugging her about new ways to spread her message. A book? A non-profit? A world wide winged migration?

It thoroughly pleases me to know so many more people have also been moved and inspired by Susanna's art and spirit. Please follow the blog roll to see the posts of the others celebrating today's blog party.

Thank you, Susanna for just being you.

Comments

[shelagh]

I have really enjoyed reading the stories that have flowed from this creative idea of Susanna's! Such fun and so many artistic variations on sending uplifting words into the word.
I hope you had a fun dinner:)
Cheers, Shelagh

[Stephanie]

So funny! that you were with Susanna, knowing what was brewing in the near future!!

x..x

[Isabel]

That sounds just like our Susanna...giving to her last wing :)

What a perfect way to join a video training program-sharing her message.

I wish I could see Susanna's face at dinner tonight. You have to take a photo!!!

xox

Isabel

[robin bird]

i'm learning so much about all the amazing women in susanna's life! this is a wonderful story of collaborating in friendship and creative endeavors!

[shin]

what a wonderful story. thanks for sharing

[Relyn]

Lucky you to be having dinner with Susanna tonight. I am hoping for a follow up post. I can imagine her reaction, but I'd love to hear your first hand account.

[christina]

such a beautiful story. love, love this party.
xo

[susanna]

Hey there, Rachel! Well, you are driving home after our dinner together. It was so nice to hear from you and to get the scoop on this Queen for a Day thang that has me just shaking my head in disbelief. I can't believe that you gals did this for ME! Wow. Talk about bloggergal support! I am so lucky!!!

And I am so glad that we both met one another. You are an intelligent, funny woman living a creative, inspiring life...and helping others in the process. I'm looking forward to writing a post about your goin'-ons. Thank you, Rachel!

[elizabeth]

So glad to hear more stories of our super Susanna!