inspiration

July Reflections

The month of July can be summed up in two main ingredients, Fear and Inspiration.

I attended a mixed media art workshop called Contemplative Practices in Art with Lisa Pressman & Sue Stover. This workshop was hosted at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. It is a beautiful place! And the workshop, the setting, the people were all so inspiring. And I had so much fear during the 7+ hour drive to get to and from my destination.

Flower offering at the Sanctuary, Omega

We made offerings to the garden. And below you can see one of my offerings to this tree. This ritual felt very alive and nourishing to me - it was separate from all the usual systems that humans and artists participate in, systems of Capitalism, Consumerism, and yes, even a Gallery system. This artwork was an exchange between me and this tree and it doesn’t matter if anyone else notices it.

Offering to the tree

Here are some things I made during the workshop having to do with layering, adding/subtracting, burning, scraping, coloring, rolling, dripping, wrapping, sewing.

Artwork I made during the workshop

I took a lot of pictures on our last morning as we did a walk through of everyone’s work. Here are Sue and Lisa looking at Kim’s collage work.

Lisa & Sue look at Kim’s work on the last morning

I recently read something about Fear that I have returned to several times.

Fear is not the problem your Everyday Mind thinks it is. The problem arises in what you tell yourself about fear: that it is not a good thing to experience, and that you must eradicate or control it. Meanwhile, your focus then becomes fear rather than Unconditional support. It is wise to listen to all your feelings, including fear. And, there is a vast difference between listening to fear and thinking you need to act in response to it. Remember that infinite and unconditional love always exists.

- Sheila Reynolds

March Reflections

Ink on paper

Ink on paper sketch, March 2020

Reflecting back to March 2020 - this ink on paper sketch made during that first week of the pandemic stay at home time is filled with chaos and the unknown.

Flash forward to March 2022:

I’m excited for Springtime and here are some shows I’ve watched on Netflix that have entertained and inspired me this month:

  1. Shtisel is an Israeli TV series about a Jewish Orthodox family in an orthodox neighborhood. I am particularly fond of the son, Akiva Shtisel, who has the soul of an artist and is trying to navigate the world of his Jewish responsibilities and skeptical family while trying to be an exhibiting, working artist. I can relate to Kive’s trials and tribulations as an artist!

  2. My Octopus Teacher is a beautiful documentary about a filmmaker who spends a year diving into the underwater kelp forest of False Bay on the coast of South Africa where he meets a female octopus who enchants him.

  3. Emily in Paris - Yes, we binged watched this show this month and Emily’s clothing color palette got me very excited for Springtime and some brightly colorful clothing updates!

  4. Better Things - season 4 is unfolding weekly on Hulu. I really enjoy watching Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox. She also creates, writes, directs, etc this program and it’s clear she put a lot of heart and soul into it. I loved last week’s episode with the guest feng shui expert. Also, Sam/Pam loves figurative artwork! Artwork hangs salon style in the stairwell of their TV house. It’s a focal point throughout the show.


    In general I’m learning new things about myself and I often have this thought that the older I get, the more I learn, the less I know.

    I’ll end with a journal prompt:
    What is inspiring you about Springtime?
    What is one thing you’re grateful for?
    What is one thing that you are proud of about yourself?