Stickers for Ildsjel, by Lori Damiano

Stickers of "Idsjel," by Loria Damiano. Artwork from the book An Ecotopian Lexicon, www.ecotopianlexicon.com. /// In An Ecotopian Lexicon, Karen O’Brien and Ann Kristin Schorre write, "An ildsjel is literally a “fire soul.” The word communicates both energy and spirit. It conveys a burning force that is powerful and productive, a force ready to spread like wildfire, making way for new seeds to germinate. Ildsjel describes a lively spirit that is aware, engaged, and ready to act... In Norway, ildsjeler are celebrated for the positive role that they play in groups, organisations, and initiatives, especially through voluntary service." /// In her Artist Statement, Lori Damiano writes, "Upon my introduction to the word ildsjel, a series of faces flashed in my mind: the ildsjeler in my own life. There was no ambiguity in locating them—they are truly the brightest lanterns and swiftly emerged as a constellation in my mind. I knew I wanted to paint some kind of human architecture.The ildsjel was to be the foundation linking all of the individuals to each other and grounding them to the earth. After painting a configuration of people embracing in a wreath of mutual support, I made a star encircled by a band of energy. Without consciously realising it, I had painted a compass. I had envisioned some kind of ring of energy or orbit above the ildsjel, as when a community comes together for a common cause it can create a focused flow of energy that gains momentum at a rate that surpasses our potential as individuals. As Karen O’Brien and Ann Kristin Schorre quote Ingebrigt Steen Jensen as saying, “an ildsjel must get the fire to spread” in order to get enough flow swirling in the community to draw others in. There is a quiet legacy of ildsjeler who have been able to refocus and redirect us with their actions. Their footsteps illuminate a previously unmarked path on which the rest of us may find better footing, widen our vision, and become more aware of the impact of our actions. In creating this image, I wish to honour the fire spirits of the ildsjel, past, present, and future." /// For more artwork by Lori Damiano, go to http://www.lori-d.com.