ghana lessons.

My first trip to Africa was in 2003.

It was during that time I learned to adore and admire

the people, the languages, the cultures, the ways of life.

This painting was acquired there,

and it reminds me so much of what I love about Ghana:

color, hard work, patterns, family, 

pure beauty, natural resources, modesty.

Gye Nyame = Except God

This is the name of a very common Ghanaian symbol that means 

'except God is present, noting is possible.'

I had it silk screened on a shirt while I was there:

I needed a way to feature these in my home.

My dear friend, Mary, gave us these great bamboo 

place mats 5 years ago for our wedding.

They are still used on a daily basis,

which is why some of them are fraying at the ends.

I fixed one of them right up

and used it as a backing for my beloved painting.

I also purchased a large embroidery hoop

and used it to frame my Gye Nyame.

Now I can be reminded of lessons learned 

while working in my office.