The idea for this project was to create a guerilla giveaway for Independence Day, which highlighted the indivisible aspect of unity. And, at the same time, the variation of form and function within humanity.

One Nation, Indivisible.
The population of the United State (333 million) includes people of all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and ethnicities. It consists of people from all walks of life, with different points of view, and one common goal. The freedom to BE.

333 individual pins were created for this project. Each pin is a different color, symbolizing the vast array of Human BEings which comprise our dynamic nation.
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One Nation, Indivisible. popped up on the streets of downtown Petaluma on Sunday, July, 4, 2021 to coincide with Independence Day holiday. Five locations in high traffic areas were chosen.

I worked myself far ahead last night. I finished the last of the pins at 2:30am. The thought of going to bed without finishing the last batch of pins was REALLY unpalatable for me. Amazingly, I was not tired so I just kept working. The box in the images below contains the 333 pins with their backing cards. They are ready to be locked and ready to be loaded! YAY.

Today, I just had a little clean up work to do, and needed to make and attach the signs for the distribution displays. I finished everything and packed my bag for tomorrow's giveaway by 3:00pm. Which, was nice. I usually procrastinate a little, and end up working, until I go to bed, the night before a giveaway.

I had so much extra time that I even made a little sign for the bag I use to carry the distributions displays downtown. Awesome!!! I will NEVER deny being a it of an obsessive little geek for these projects! It is SOOOO much fun to spread color and joy.

An insane amount of work goes into these projects. While the concept-design is the driving creative force behind them, there are many small details which can make or break the project.

There is a saying  "the devil is in the details", which refers to problems or difficulties that result from the unforeseen nature of unexamined details. Having seen this devil arise a few times in the past, when I have rushed things or cut corners, I allow myself ample time to pore over minor details, double check measurements, text and colors, and tweak designs when they don't feel right yet.

While words can communicate meaning, color, line, shape and composition are equally communicative forces. These elements must come together in such a way that they support and enhance each other. It is a challenge, and a grace, to find the appropriate balance to simply/cleanly introduce a concept. The end result should always be more than a sum of its parts.

For me, it is more important to create something that feels right, than it is to produce something that is aesthetically pleasing yet energetically hollow.