Asheville artist sets postcard project in motion
by Paul Clark, PCLARK@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
published December 7, 2007 12:15 am

Asheville – West Asheville artist Damaris Pierce has launched a national postcard art project that encourages people to show their thanks.

Postcards submitted to her will be posted on her Web site, www.IamThankful.com, starting next month. They can honor people, places, things or circumstances. They can be simple or elaborate, as long as they remain two-dimensional. Pierce hopes the project, “I Am Thankful,” will help people manifest more positive lives for themselves.

Pierce knows from personal experience, her life having changed after she started practicing gratitude several years ago.

“Seeing blessings in every little thing has prevented me from going further into complaining, depression and being unsatisfied with my life,” she said. “When you put appreciation into words, it actually manifests that intention. There’s a lot of scientific research and proof that the impact of any mental activity, including fear, has a direct impact onto the physical world. Whatever we put out there, we get back.”

Pierce said she isn’t looking for masterpieces. All she hopes to receive and post on the Web site are sincere expressions of appreciation.

She said she’s available to help groups — classrooms, organizations, friends — with the process (contact her through the Web site).

Completed postcards can be mailed to her attention at her studio at 69 Wamboldt Ave., Asheville, NC 28806. She has already gotten a few.

“I can’t tell you how wonderful it is when I see those cards, especially when I have a rough day,” she said. “When I walk to the mailbox and one of those cards are there, it sometimes almost moves me to tears.”

Here’s one of the “gratitude” postcards Damaris Pierce has received as part of her nationwide campaign. The message is “I am thankful that my dad came home."

Click here to go to the Asheville Citizen-Times post