health


One

Finding of the week:
What IfBy Ganga White
What if religion was each other,If our practice was our life,If prayer was our words.
What if the Temple was the Earth,If forests were our church,If holy water—the rivers, lakes and oceans.
What if meditation was our relationships,If the Teacher was life,If wisdom was self-knowledge,If love was the center of our [...]

posted October 09, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Movement

I usually run solo, but a couple of weeks ago, I joined a new running group in the neighborhood. It felt so good to be part of the group and run an extra mile without even noticing. The company, pace and weather were great — all good energy to inspire new drawings.
A bunch of ideas [...]

posted October 01, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Life’s Secret

The last couple of weeks have been filled with beauty. Labor Day weekend with family in town, Komen’s New York City Race for the Cure. It was such a special day, Central Park was covered in pink!
I’m currently reading the book, Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyon, which are considered the greatest distance runners [...]

posted September 15, 2009 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Summer Days

It’s been a busy August — my sewing machine is finally ready, I’ve been drawing a bit, and just started to work on a new and updated website/blog among many other things.
Our next

posted August 17, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shine Together

Eating fresh fruit, parks, beach, running, yoga, reading, sewing, drawing…
The list of things I would like to enjoy during these warm months is way too long. Sure I can do some of these things during the cold months, but the energy that the sun brings in the summer is unique.
I don’t know how it [...]

posted July 12, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flux

I’ve been active thinking of new projects, designing a new website/blog, and beginning to take my running and yoga practice to the next level.
My mind and body were ready for a little stir up so last week I found myself running at lunch time in Tangled Alphabets: León Ferrari and Mira Schendel at Ernesto [...]

posted June 20, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Somewhere to Begin

Well, I’m back from a couple of weeks of feeling like everything is happening at the same time. I can happily write that after three months of having “not so great” runs I’m slowly making some progress.
It was during one of those tough runs when my attitude changed. I decided to give myself the chance [...]

posted June 04, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Green Days

Everything looks so green around the neighborhood. It’s nice to see the new planted trees on Smith Street and the Greenmarket back. I like to eat something healthy before I go for a run so this week I decided to make homemade granola bars.
I went to Sahadi’s to get the nuts and dried fruit. Most [...]

posted May 17, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Texture

I meant to post earlier this week, but it’s been busy with lots of changes. Change is hard, but at the same time, it feels amazing when we add an infusion of fresh flavors, colors and textures to our routines.
While browsing the Food Issue of the latest Sustenance. She is also the leader of [...]

posted May 09, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Energy Flow

One of my goals this week was to go back to my usual five-day-a-week workout routine. I’m happy to say that I managed to do it. Movement is my way of staying positive and dealing with challenging situations. It also influences my work.
On Wednesday, I had a pleasant experience while in yoga class. The [...]

posted May 01, 2009 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spinning World

It’s been some time since I last ran so I’m slowly adding short runs to my morning walks. It feels great to see and notice the little things while running. There is so much visual information around us that running has become part of my art practice.
To honor Earth Day (April 22), I thought of [...]

posted April 15, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In Full Bloom

This week, I went to my yoga class for the first time after giving birth. It felt great to be back. While in triangle pose, I thought of how important is to find time to do what moves us and makes us flourish. The best is when we slowly notice that the bloom inside of [...]

posted April 04, 2009 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sound of Music

It’s been already three weeks since Mateo arrived and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. As an artist, I want Mateo to be surrounded by creativity everyday. I listened to music during my pregnancy and music seems to be one of his favorite things. He already has an iTunes playlist! Here are some of the [...]

posted March 26, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tabula Rasa

Although it’s snowing in New York, today is the first day of spring. The spring is my favorite season. It’s the symbol of new beginnings. It’s when everything turns green, when days become longer, and the sun feels stronger. I’m beginning to find time to go for walks until my body is ready to run [...]

posted March 20, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Through My Window

First of all, thank you all for the good wishes. We are getting so close to the due date! Our home is filled with a sparkling feeling of anticipation.
We all know that during tough times there is always space for positive thinking and change. But watching or reading the news lately, makes it a challenge [...]

posted March 03, 2009 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Full Term

What a great day we had in New York yesterday. In the afternoon, I went to a meeting in downtown Manhattan and as I entered the building, I already knew that after the meeting, I was going to walk the Brooklyn Bridge back home.
While I walked the bridge, I saw lots of runners, [...]

posted February 12, 2009 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Openhanded

Give more than you take. To find volunteer opportunities, visit

posted February 07, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Give Our All

It’s a beautiful day!
A day to give us the chance to create and live with a new perspective, to find fulfillment in the real and meaningful, and to always give our best…
Here are my highlights from Barack Obama’s inaugural address:
“We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to [...]

posted January 20, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Relish

Happy and healthy 2009!
The beginning of a new year is one of my most favorite times. It’s the time when everything feels energized and full of possibilities. The air in our apartment already smells sweet. 2009 is the year that will open my heart and arms to a new experience: starting a family. I can’t [...]

posted January 03, 2009 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Make My Wish Come True

Before this wonderful 2008 ends, I just want to thank you all for being part of art & life. Your visits and comments are truly priceless.
I wish you are already having a great holiday season and that the new year brings health, peace, and purpose to everyone!
art & life by rossana martinez

posted December 26, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Give Me Real Don’t Give Me Fake

A while ago, my friend Margie, an awesome athlete, cook, and nutrition expert, recommended me to read the book Real Food by Nina Planck. One of my favorite things to do is to cook simple and fresh food, and I find so many similarities between cooking and working out an idea in the studio.
I’m [...]

posted December 07, 2008 | Comments (1)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

365 vs. 1

I love the holidays, but as a minimalist at heart, I strongly believe in finding gratefulness in our everyday and not only during the holidays. I prefer a nice small gesture everyday ⎯ a smile, saying good morning, staying positive during a difficult day, a nice conversation, cooking and sharing a meal ⎯ over [...]

posted November 30, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First Steps

I’m currently writing about how important it was for me to create and stick to a wellness plan. I must say, it was a challenge as an artist because we tend to think about our work more than our health. While doing a bit of research, I came across this article in the New York [...]

posted November 16, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Reenergize

I read the article Frieze After the Freeze by Jerry Saltz, and highly recommend it. My favorite thought is:
“…Recessions are hard on people, but they are not hard on art. The forties, seventies, and the nineties, when money was scarce, were great periods, when the art world retracted but it was also reborn. New generations [...]

posted October 31, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

On My Mind

This weekend I had a chance to participate in the Making Art In The World panel during Pratt Institute’s Reignite weekend. It was great to be back at Pratt, but as it often happens with panels, we didn’t have enough time to discuss everything. I admit, I left Pratt with a lot on my [...]

posted October 22, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Test of Time

As artists, I hope that these difficult financial times make us approach our work differently. That our studio time becomes full of fresh ideas and endless experimentation without feeling the pressure of sales.
But most importantly, I hope that we as people understand the need around us and dedicate some time to help others in [...]

posted September 28, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sustainable

With the warm weather, heavy rains we are having in New York, and sweet smell of fresh fruit in our kitchen, this summer I’m moving at a slower pace.
On my days off from work, I run a bit later than usual because by the time I finish running the fruit market is open. After [...]

posted July 04, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , ,

Viva la Vida

This morning I ran the Achilles Hope & Possibility 5M, an event full of encouragement and celebration. It’s held in Central Park by the Achilles Track Club. Achilles is an international organization whose mission is to “enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, [...]

posted June 22, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , ,

Solid Core

In honor of Earth Day and the Boston Marathon, I decided to go for a run in one of the most beautiful places in Brooklyn, Frederick Law Olmsted and Central Park. While enjoying the awesome energy of all the runners, I noticed a family walking in the park. The father and daughter were holding hands. [...]

posted April 25, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Life is…

…a marathon, not a sprint.
We’ve heard that so many times and it’s so true. It doesn’t matter how much we try to rush things, the result is always the same: everything takes time.
I’ve never ran a marathon. But in the races I’ve ran, I have learned how every single step and breath we take is [...]

posted March 28, 2008 | Comments (0)| Tags: , , , , , ,