Cultivate

1) to prepare and use for the raising of crops; also: to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)

2)
a) to foster the growth of — cultivate vegetables
b) culture — the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education
c) to improve by labor, care, or study: refine — cultivate the mind

3) further, encourage

4) to seek the society of: make friends with

Maybe is the cooler weather, but lately this fascinating word has kept me thinking about how we use our time. How do we cultivate creativity, health, love, community and all the other good qualities we want to see and experience?

I use a simple practice that works for me. Everyday, I try to dedicate a couple of minutes to do things that move me. Of course, I’m not always successful at it, but I happily write that most days I find a good balance between work and play. There are also special days when those dedicated minutes become hours…very special hours.

As with any process of growth, finding a practice that is uniquely yours takes time. But to me, the most important moment is when the idea is planted. Once the idea is definite and clear, nurturing happens naturally and gracefully.

For those lovers of books, language and life, here is a wonderful children’s book. The story and illustrations are beautiful. Happy nurturing!

De como nacio el amor (How love was born)
By Mrinali Alvarez Astacio
Published by La Editorial, Universidad de Puerto Rico

Desde los primeros tiempos, existe el día…
…y la noche.

Cuando el día se aleja a descansar,
la noche, vestida de estrellas, sale a pasear.

Y cada vez que se encuentra a la luna,
la invita a bailar.

Danza la luna en el cielo,
sobre las montañas y entre las estrellas.

Y el cielo se llena de danzas,
cada una diferente.

Baila nueva, baila llena,
a veces creciente, a veces menguante.

Tanto baila que siente el latir
de su corazón.

Y queda enamorada…
…de la vida.

Summary from publisher: The author uses a metaphorical story of love between the Sun and the Moon to explain the continuous cycle of night and day. The constant cycle is then presented as a passionate dance between two beings that love each other, and this in turn becomes the means to explain courtship to children. The author explains the origin of romantic love as something natural.

The taste of summer is…

fresh
I’ve been giving life to those whispery notes/sketches I often add to my Eco Ciak. I love that little recycled paper sketchbook. It’s always a fun process to go back to the notes/sketches and try to understand the where/what/how/why.

warm
To me there is nothing like a simple and open conversation about interests, ideas and life as artists. I had the opportunity to moderate the virtual panel Resource: Where Abstract Art is (From) with a great group of artists: Glen Cunningham, Mark Dagley, Laura Fayer, Molly Herman, Lori Kirkbride, Ben LaRocco and Rachael Wren. All artists were part of Source, an exhibition curated by Susan Ross and Melissa Staiger. Both, exhibition and virtual panel, were presented and sponsored by PowerHouse Projects. Source was on view at The Halls at Bowling Green from April 22nd through May 28th. Check out the virtual panel and take a look at their websites. It’s all good!

sweet
I finally signed up my family to a CSA. The fruit begins to arrive next week. I’m excited and so looking forward to it…

The upcoming weeks and months look exciting and enriching as well. This fall, I’ll be taking a course on advocacy for children at Citizens Committee for Children of New York. This is such a great organization and resource in the city.

More soon and I wish you all a great rest of the summer.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

***************

For Barbara Rose, who loved this beautiful poem. Thanks Janet for sharing it with me!

The last couple of weeks have been full of creativity. I found some time to draw, run outside and explore for titles. I like titles especially for abstract work. To me, titles are the little things that tell our story. They help us share ideas with others, and begin a dialogue…

Finding of the week:

“What is often overlooked in this modern world is that everything and everybody has value, that each atom in the universe does indeed have a place…”

-Aadil Palkhivala

This week, I found myself running through an ocean of beautiful yellow leaves, looking at an orange sunrise and a faint moon still hanging in the sky.

It’s at fleeting moments like this I feel I can run stronger. It’s great to hit a runner’s high. And there I was on an empty street with a tough hill, feeling my core working and my heart open.

I compare the experience to looking at my sketchbook. As an artist, I’m always searching for inspiration, but my sketchbook is where inspirations and ideas begin to solidify. I find it the perfect place for artists to be themselves, open-hearted and unfolded.