Mother’s Day is every day, but I welcome all the love this weekend and…since tulips are my favorite flowers — I’ll take them!

Running after a very active toddler and attempt to find balance as an artist is a challenge. But this active and happy boy is a huge part of what I am. Having kids gives us busy adults such fresh perspective on how to enjoy great and simple things.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Toddler Behavior Adults Should Try
By Chemistry Mama

What I Am
By Will.i.am

If what I am is what’s in me
Then I’ll stay strong – that’s who I’ll be
and I will always be the best
me that I can be.

There’s only one me, I am it
have a dream I’ll follow it
It’s up to me to try.

Oh! I’m a keep my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
I’ll be getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!!)
Never gonna stop, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

And what I am is thoughtful
what I am is musical
what I am is smart
and what I am is brave
what I am is helpful
what I am is special
There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh

Gonna keep our heads up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna quit
Just keep getting stronger.

And nothing’s gonna bring us down (no!)
Never give it up, gotta go.
Because I know
I’ll keep getting stronger.

What I am is super
what I am is proud
what I am is friendly
what I am is grouchy
what you are is magical
what you are is special

There’s nothing I can’t achieve.
Because in myself I believe in oh

Gonna hold my head up high
Keep on reaching high
Never gonna stop
I’ll be getting stronger.

Nothing’s gonna bring me down (no!)
Never give it up gotta go, oh… yeah…
I’ll keep getting stronger.

Image:
Michelangelo
Sistine Chapel
fresco
ca. 1511

Finding of the week:

“We always need to remember that behind almost every great moment in history, there are heroic people doing really boring and frustrating things for a prolonged period of time.”

From New York Times, My Favorite August by Gail Collins.

If you want to get a real view of what an artist’s life is all about, check out Julian Dashper (1960-2009): It Is Life at MINUS SPACE. On view from August 7 until September 4, 2010. A must see, read, experience, feel.

In 2007, I wrote the post, Your Heart Makes Me Feel, after I read a wonderful tribute to artist Elizabeth Murray (1940-2007) in The Brooklyn Rail. Since then my feelings about the connection between art & life have only deepened more…

As Robert Gober wrote: “…art comes out of life, and that you had better pay attention.”

Image:
Julian Dashper (1960-2009): It Is Life, MINUS SPACE

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.

Hope you’re all having a great summer. Here are some of my summer thoughts after having a wonderful time with family and at my favorite place: the beach.

It pleases me immensely to see how my boy loves the ocean. He was born in NYC, but his blood is Caribbean…and I truly love that!

Fruit and vegetable stands, surf shops and Rex Cream’s Ice Cream are my kind of places.

<3 running barefoot on the beach. I know I’ll be fine in a couple of days, but it was hard to run this morning and wear running shoes.

A bikini never goes out of fashion.

My nieces and nephews are awesome! When I grow up, I want to be just like them.

Photo:
7am swim with mama.

Swimming in the Caribbean. Surrounded by family and nature. I’m counting the days…

Where is yours?

Where is My Mind
By The Pixies

Oh
With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there’s nothing in it
And you’ll ask yourself

Where is my mind

Way out in the water
See it swimmin’

I was swimmin’ in the Caribbean
Animals were hiding behind the rocks
Except the little fish
But they told me, he swears
Tryin’ to talk to me, coy koi.

Where is my mind

Way out in the water
See it swimmin’ ?

With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
If there’s nothing in it
And you’ll ask yourself

Where is my mind

Oh
With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Oh
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Oh
Oh

Here I am, thinking of tomorrow’s NYRR New York Mini 10K. My first “big” race after baby. Feeling excited. I ran this race in 2008 and the experience was awesome. This is a women only race and it is truly amazing to see a sea of women running in Central Park.

My main goal tomorrow is to apply what I’ve learned from my active 15-month old boy and that we as adults forget to do often — run, run, run and just have fun!

A friend sent me this quote a couple of weeks ago — and it is so true:

“You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.”

-Dogen Zenji (1200 – 1253)

Finding of the week:

“A arte é a minha forma de conhecimento do mundo”

“Art is my way of understanding the world”

-Lygia Pape

Image:

Lygia Pape
Magnetized Spaces, 1968-2002
Spaces of the city

We’ve been having glorious days filled with beautiful colors and sun. The weather always inspires me to choose what to experiment with in the kitchen. I have two new favorites: quinoa and kale. Cooking them is simple, their benefits are plenty and they taste great.

I was about to write about the benefits of kale when I found all I wanted to say (and more) in the great Brooklyn blog — Butter Beans Kitchen. This is a must read blog if you love real food. I agree with what they write about their blog:

“…If we want quality lives full of goodness, we have got to learn to make good choices about the food we plant and the food we eat. We have got to spend some more time in the kitchen and appreciating the food we have.

We have to teach our children, in a way that makes them want to celebrate. What could be more magical than the colors and tastes and sights that the Earth produces with sunshine, rain and a few pairs of dedicated hands…”

And here is the information about kale:

Kale — in April’s glow by Butter Beans Kitchen. They will add kale recipes this month.

Enjoy!

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 real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
-Marcel Proust

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

Our next Art Movement event is next month. We are participating in the 2009 Komen New York City Race for the Cure on Sunday, September 13th in Central Park. It would be great if some of you can join us. I’ll post all details about how to get involved very soon.

And as always, I’m enjoying my most precious project, Mateo. He is learning and growing so fast. As you can see in the photo, he really knows how to make me smile!

The collection has four tiny books perfect for little hands: Alligators All Around (an alphabet book), Chicken Soup with Rice (book of months), One Was Johnny (a counting book), and Pierre (a cautionary tale). The simplicity of the stories and illustrations make them enjoyable for both kids and adults alike.

A couple of weekends ago, we went to an art opening in Staten Island. It was rainy and cold — June has been very wet in New York. As we were traveling back home in the S.I. ferry, I couldn’t stop thinking about Chicken Soup with Rice. When we got home, I went straight to the kitchen and cooked a warm and delicious chicken soup with rice…still laughing!

I love books and these days I’m enjoying reading with Mateo. I take him to our local bookstore where I found another great book called Open House for Butterflies by Ruth Krauss. The book, also illustrated by Maurice Sendak has simple thoughts and illustrations like the books in the Nutshell Library. Some of my favorite thoughts are:

Look! I’m running away with my imagination.

There should be a parade when a baby is born.

Suppose old people grew down as young people grew up.

Easter eggs are all different outside but they’re alike inside.

A baby makes the mother and father — otherwise they’re just plain people.

Yesterday shows another day is here.

Everybody should be quiet near a little stream and listen.

A baby dances with its feet in the air.

I think a race looks prettier when everybody comes in even.

So always take some time to look, enjoy and imagine!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand”. — Albert Einstein

My mind and body were ready for a little stir up so last week I found myself running at lunch time in Central Park. I usually run early in the morning around my neighborhood, but I’ve been wanting to run in the park since I started to work near it.

Although it’s been a challenge to keep up with all, it’s also been great to dedicate those beautiful green miles in the park — there’s nothing like running through nature — to think about my new little family, how to train for a race, yoga inversions I would like to explore, and just getting excited about new projects…

Getting excited about new projects reminds me to mention two wonderful exhibitions I recently saw even though they closed already. I wish there were more exhibitions like the Tangled Alphabets: León Ferrari and Mira Schendel at MoMA. Wow! I’m still digesting Schendel’s amazing works and ideas. And Ernesto Neto’s anthropodino at the Armory which was a fun experience.

Enjoy!

Image:

Yoko Ono, Wish Piece, 1996

Make a wish

Write it down on a piece of paper

Fold it and tie it around a branch of a Wish Tree

Ask your friends to do the same

Keep wishing

Until the branches are covered with wishes

It was during one of those tough runs when my attitude changed. I decided to give myself the chance to enjoy the process of slowly reaching my usual pace. Since then, I’ve been enjoying every single movement I make: running around the neighborhood, the treadmill and even cross training in the rowing machine — which I admit isn’t my favorite.

I keep telling myself something I think we all probably know, but surely always forget: patience is our best friend. When we feel different or everything is too new — a new business, moving to a new place or city, committing to a wellness plan — the word is patience, patience, patience…

Keep moving!

On Wednesday, I had a pleasant experience while in yoga class. The group waited for about fifteen minutes (our instructor was running late) when one person suggested that we begin the class. Some people in the group left, but those of us who stayed began a sun salutation. The room filled with an immense sense of community.

When the instructor arrived, I think he was pleasantly surprised to see not only that we waited for him, but that we already started the class. He explained why his commute took so long. It didn’t really matter, nobody was angry and we were happy to see him. We all smiled and thanked our friend who had the initiative of guiding the class. She did so well! It felt so good to be part of a community.

I left the class with a bigger heart. I suddenly felt an urge to get home and be grateful for everything I have. When I got home, Mateo and I exchanged smiles, blablas and held hands. I thought of Gandhi’s words: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. And just like that, I realized the value of the wellness plan I started years ago. It was on display at yoga and gave me the best energy for the rest of the day.

Better late than never. It’s never too late to bring all the good people and things you want into your life.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

To honor Earth Day (April 22), I thought of sharing and recommending the children’s book, On the Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier. The story is marvelous and the illustrations are just beautiful.

On the Day You Were Born

by Debra Frasier

On the eve of your birth

word of your coming

passed from animal to animal.

The reindeer told the Artic terns,

who told the humpback whales,

who told the Pacific salmon,

who told the monarch butterflies,

who told the green turtles,

who told the European eel,

who told the busy garden warblers,

and the marvelous news migrated worldwide.

While you waited in darkness,

tiny knees curled to chin,

the Earth and her creatures

with the Sun and the Moon

all moved in their places,

each ready to greet you

the very first moment

of the very first day you arrived.

On the day you were born

the round planet Earth

turned toward your morning sky,

whirling paste darkness,

spinning the night into light.

On the day you were born

gravity’s strong pull

held you to the Earth

with a promise that you

would never float again…

…while deep in space

the burning Sun

sent up towering flames,

lighting your sky

from dawn until dusk.

On the day you were born

the quiet Moon glowed

and offered to bring

a full, bright face,

each month, to your windowsill…

…while high above the North Pole,

Polaris, the glittering North Star,

stood still, shining silver light

into your night sky.

On the day you were born

the Moon pulled on the ocean below,

and, wave by wave,

a rising tide washed the beaches

clean for your footprints…

…while far out at sea

clouds swelled with water drops,

sailed to shore on a wind,

and rained you a welcome

across the Earth’s green lands.

On the day you were born

a forest of tall trees

collected the Sun’s light

in their leaves,

where, in silent mystery,

they made oxygen

for you to breathe…

…while close to your skin

and as high as the sky,

air rushed in and blew about,

invisibly protecting you

and all living things on Earth.

On the day you were born

the Earth turned, the Moon pulled,

the Sun flared, and, then, with a push,

you slipped out of the dark quiet

where suddenly you could hear…

…a circle of people singing

with voices familiar and clear.

“Welcome to the spinning world,” the people sang,

as they washed your new, tiny hands.

“Welcome to the green Earth,” the people sang,

as they wrapped your wet, slippery body.

And as they held you close

they whispered into your open, curving ear,

“We are so glad you’ve come!”

Enjoy…and best wishes to all the Boston Marathon runners!

Astrud Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Louis Armstrong, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Claude Debussy, Gipsy Kings, Dido, Etta James, The Beatles, Barry White, Bob Marley, Elizabeth Mitchell, Feist, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Rita Lee and Os Mutantes among many others. Enjoy!

Across the Universe by The Beatles

Let It Be by The Beatles

Montaña by Gipsy Kings

Cucurrucucú Paloma by Caetano Veloso

Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe by Barry White

Baby by Rita Lee & Os Mutantes

Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay

This spring feels extraordinary. It’s the beginning of a new experience for me. I’m a new mama and I’m so crazy in love. Looking at our son everyday reminds me of how beautiful simplicity, innocence and unconditional love can be. He is definitely our best collaboration and work of art.

While reading the James Lee Byars’ catalogue Life, Love, and Death, I found this quote by Thomas Bernhard that perfectly describes my art & life:

“Each human being is entirely unique, and each is the greatest work of art ever created.” (Thomas Bernhard, The Loser)

Photo:

Mateo smiling with Mom

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 to remember. Change doesn’t have to be huge. We can start making tiny changes in our homes, studios and work. A good place to begin is in our minds.

Here are some of my recent positive findings and highlights:

Down with the Cube!

by Jerry Saltz

“…But what’s on view isn’t really the point. “From the Archives” suggests that a gallery can be a white box but needn’t feel like a mausoleum or act like a museum. Too much purity, architectural or esthetic, is bad for art right now; that art needs to feel more connected to the world. In this way the show is a moment to remember that a gallery is foremost a test site, not a store…”

The Boom Is Over. Long Live the Art!

By Holland Cotter

“…This has happened more than once in the recent past. Art has changed as a result. And in every case it has been artists who have reshaped the game.”

“…At the same time, if the example of past crises holds true, artists can also take over the factory, make the art industry their own. Collectively and individually they can customize the machinery, alter the modes of distribution, adjust the rate of production to allow for organic growth, for shifts in purpose and direction. They can daydream and concentrate. They can make nothing for a while, or make something and make it wrong, and fail in peace, and start again.”

“…Why not build into your graduate program a work-study semester that takes students out of the art world entirely and places them in hospitals, schools and prisons, sometimes in-extremis environments, i.e. real life?”

“…Such changes would require new ways of thinking and writing about art…”

Growing Awareness

Seven simple acts to help you cultivate a happier, healthier life.

By Charity Ferreira from Yoga Journal

1. Shift your perspective

2. Waste not

3. Restore health and happiness

4. Experience silence

5. Be a creator

6. Make an offering

7. Love your body

My favorite is number 6 — Make an offering. Ferreira writes: “…Commit to one selfless act each week…These moments are a chance to share someone else’s experience of the world and see the richness of your own existence.”

5 Ways to Be Mindful and Achieve Optimal Health

By Deborah Kotz

1. Consider what’s right with you

2. Love yourself unconditionally

3. Live in the present moment

4. When life gets tough, don’t take it personally

5. Put the “being” back in human

My favorite is number 5 — Kotz writes: “If you fill every moment with frenetic activity—work, text messaging, household chores, computer games—you never give yourself a chance to simply be. Too many of us are human stuff, the sum of our actions, instead of human beings, points out Kabat-Zinn. As corny as it sounds, just sitting for a moment to contemplate the clouds, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the pattern of stalled cars winding around the freeway, is what separates us from the nut-gathering squirrels. And science shows it’s a great stress reliever, to boot.”

Milk

Written by Dustin Lance Black; Directed by Gus Van Sant

After the movie, I left the theater with an incredible feeling of inspiration and hope. Sean Penn is fantastic. Two things Harvey Milk (Penn) repeated during the movie have stayed with me.

“It’s not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power — it’s about giving people out there, hope. You gotta give them hope.”

“I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living.”

Image:

Lygia Pape

O Ovo (The Egg), 1967

Performance

While I walked the bridge, I saw lots of runners, tourists and smiles. We’ve had a tough winter this year and yesterday was a nice break from the snow and the cold. I thought of how much I miss running the bridge in the morning, but I also thought about the happy time I’m in.

It’s funny how a big belly ⎯ the sign of a new life ⎯ brings so many good wishes and happiness. Strangers approached me to simply wish me the best and tell me a bit about their experiences. My due date is approaching, but at this time I’m (sort of) mentally prepared that baby boy may want to see the real world anytime now.

Some of you have asked me to write about my pregnancy experience as an artist, runner and yogi. I’ll be posting more soon, but to begin, I highly recommend to stay active during your pregnancy. Of course, you should consult your doctor. For me, being active, eating well and continue doing my normal activities (with modifications), has made my experience a very positive one. It’s quite amazing how our bodies are built to adjust to all these changes.

As an artist, I’ve had different reactions about my pregnancy. The’ve been mostly positive, but I’ve also had the strange looks and comments. Motherhood is just not for everyone ⎯ artist or not. As my mother taught me: be yourself no matter what others think. So if you’re an artist thinking about starting a family, I suggest to respect all opinions, but embrace what works for you and totally ignore the rest.

Here is an interesting study from the National Endowment for the Arts Issues Research Note on Women Artists: 1990 to 2005:

Women artists are as likely to be married as female workers in general, but they are less likely to have children. In 2003-2005, more than half of all women artists and all women workers were married. Yet only 29 percent of women artists had children under 18, almost six percentage points lower than for women workers in general.

To read the complete study, go to NEA research note Women Artists: 1990-2005.

Image:

Georgia O’Keeffe

Brooklyn Bridge, 1949

Oil on masonite

Brooklyn Museum