Kickstarter

If I reach $2000, everyone will receive a free mp3 download of a song that I will write & record especially for this project.

if I reach $2700, I will hold a raffle (for backers only) for 1 lucky person to win a 16 x 20 framed portrait in oil on canvas of any person of their choosing, to be painted by me & shipped wherever (within reason).

Starting over is ________.
a) painful
b) exciting
c) good for you
d) exhausting
e) a relief
f) all of the above

When life hands me lemons, I don't just want to make lemonade, I want to bake lemon chiffon cake. When I see that it is obvious that my life needs a do-over, then I want to make art out of it. What kind of art? A great big multi-layered bundle of art full of words, drawings, minutes of video, photos and songs. Since I will be creating and compiling all of this art while driving cross-country, subject matter may include: directions, a wrong exit, so-and-so at the truck stop, fortuitous shortcuts, small-world moments, hot tears, cold tears, never-ending farmland, laughter with strangers, gifts left on monuments and handfuls of postcards.

***Be a collaborator!

I want more people involved in this. Yes, YOU can contribute in 2 ways:

1) Submit a story about starting over to be included and/or illustrated in the book. You can chose to keep your submission anonymous or to have your name listed.

2) OR leave a comment indicating that you want to help with the cross-country itinerary.

***Storytelling Open Mics!

I would like to hold a series of storytelling open mics in every town where I have an overnight stop. These events are exactly what you would image: a 1 or 2 hour open mic for people who have stories about starting over. If individuals are willing, I could record their story to be a part of the project. BUT, I would need to purchase a microphone & small PA to bring with me. So, some more pledges would certainly do the trick!

Depending on your pledge level, you could receive:

The Book: This will be a B&W, softcover, self-published book including my notes, prose, sketches, drawings, etc., all hashing-it-out with this question of what it means to start over. Stylistically, it will definitely look a lot like the sketchbooks that I've already published.

The DVD: I will have a video camera with me, and using my new-found interest in film editing, I also want to make a short film. Again, the package will be a part of the art.

The Photo Album: Who puts together photo albums with real photos these days? Me. That's who.

If this kickstarter project is successful,

1) The money goes towards putting together all of the components of the project (see above).

2) Under no circumstances will any of the money go towards my personal costs for the road trip and moving. This is all about the art.

3) Funding above and beyond the original goal will go towards the glorification of the project. This means better quality in terms of book printing (full color) and binding, design, screen printing, artifact amassing, details, covering logistics for the storytelling open mics and other extras.

Please note:

Becoming a backer is pretty much the one way to get your hands on this project in all of its splendor. I will not make any additional copies of these ultra-limited Kickstarter editions of the Book, DVD or Photo Album, which will all be signed, dedicated to you personally and numbered.

Yes, I might display my personal master version of the project in an art show as not for sale; however, I will not mass produce subsequent versions of this project, because I want to keep it small and special. The only exception I will be willing to make in terms of subsequent copies is if you appear in any part of the project as I create it (e.g. a story from the open mic or quote or drawing based on and attributed to a specific person), and you would like a copy. I think this is only fair.

Otherwise, if you have any interest in any of the rewards from the road or if you have the desire to own copies of the Book, DVD or Photo album, take a look at that project deadline - now is the time to pledge!

Yes, we all have or will come to a point when we take stock of a situation and realize that it really is best to just start over. With this bundle of art in your hands, perhaps starting over __________.
a) won't sting as much
b) will be more exciting
c) becomes a meditation
d) won't be so daunting
e) will be euphoric
f) all of the above

If you're interested in other projects of mine, please visit my website, trulyamelia.com.