Mo's Challenge 66

Around the World

This week the theme is "Around the World" which can be interpreted a couple of ways. When I originally thought of the theme, I pictured using any of Mo's wonderful ethnic images of children in their native dress. She has so many; American Indian, Inuit, Swiss, Peruvian, Jamaican, Japanese, Mexican, and Chinese are a few that I can think of. Realizing that not everyone has one of those images, I've broadened it to include the choice of a card done in the colors of a country's flag using any of Mo's images. 

My card uses Mo's adorable little Rastafarian, "Dante & His Drum".  I've kept it pretty much unadorned to focus on the image.

The inside says, " Hope your birthday is smokin'!"

Images: Dante & His Drum from Mo's Digital Pencil, Computer-generated sentiment

Tools: Copics, Prismacolor pencils, Distressing tool

Papers: SU! More Mustard, Neenah smooth white, Bazzill textured brown, Basic Grey Max & Whiskers DP

Embellishments: None!

I learned a bit about  Rastafarian beliefs while doing  research in order to color the image properly.  It was started in Jamaica in the 1930's by Marcus Garvey as part of the "Back to Africa" movement. Members believe that the Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was the divine Messiah, although he did not encourage the idea, and remained a lifelong Christian.

  Rastas are pacifists and vegetarians. True believers smoke 'ganga', or marijuana, only for religious or medical reasons, and not for recreational purposes. Pretenders have given the group a bad image by adopting the outer trappings but not the peaceful  philosophies of the religion. Only 1% of Jamaicans identify themselves as Rastafarian.

Their traditional colors have special meaning to them. One interpretation is that the black represents Africa, red is for the blood of all living things, gold is for all the world's treasures, and green represents the Earth.

Of course, the most famous Rastafarian was Bob Marley, Reggae singer and songwriter, who died in 1981.

So there's a little history lesson! Now let's see how you'll interpret the theme at Mo's Challenge this week , and celebrate the diversity that makes this world such a special place! Grab one of Mo's images and get going!

Thanks for visiting!

Elaine