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

Also, my friend Lynne, who knows how much I like birds, introduced me to the album, You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell. Although the album is for children, I think adults can enjoy it as well. It has really wonderful interpretations of songs by Bob Marley, Velvet Underground and many others. My favorite song so far is: If You Listen. The album explains that the song was “originally recorded by French singer Francoise Hardy, and is all about how listening can be a magical experience”.

I agree…and hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Chinese Art and Greek Art

by Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

The Prophet said, “There are some who see me

by the same light in which I am seeing them.

Our natures are one.

Without reference to any strands

of lineage, without reference to texts or traditions,

we drink the life-water together.”

Here’s a story

about that hidden mystery:

The Chinese and the Greeks

were arguing as to who were the better artists.

The king said,

“We’ll settle this matter with a debate.”

The Chinese began talking,

but the Greeks wouldn’t say anything.

They left.

The Chinese suggested then

that they each be given a room to work on

with their artistry, two rooms facing each other

and divided by a curtain.

The Chinese asked the king

for a hundred colors, all the variations,

and each morning they came to where

the dyes were kept and took them all.

The Greeks took no colors.

“They’re not part of our work.”

They went to their room

and began cleaning and polishing the walls. All day

every day they made those walls as pure and clear

as an open sky.

There is a way that leads from all-colors

to colorlessness. Know that the magnificent variety

of the clouds and the weather comes from

the total simplicity of the sun and the moon.

The Chinese finished, and they were so happy.

They beat the drums in the joy of completion.

The king entered their room,

astonished by the gorgeous color and detail.

The Greeks then pulled the curtain dividing the rooms.

The Chinese figures and images shimmeringly reflected

on the clear Greek walls. They lived there,

even more beautifully, and always

changing in the light.

The Greek art is the Sufi way.

They don’t study books of philosophical thought.

They make their loving clearer and clearer.

No wantings, no anger. In that purity

they receive and reflect the images of every moment,

from here, from the stars, from the void.

They take them in

as though they were seeing

with the lighted clarity

that sees them.

______________________

If You Listen

By Francoise Hardy

If you listen you can hear

birds sing and flowers grow

If you listen you can hear

my love for you just grow

In the silence that’s around

deep peace and love are found

In the days that will be here

my love will call you loud and clear

And in the silent place

where loneliness is found

I’ll wander through the open door

to look for you

There in that magic land

that lies beyond the clouds

floating on the sea of dreams

I’ll sing to you

Image: One of my favorite birds, the bowerbird, working on his blue monochrome nest.

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 wait!

I’m also looking forward to going back to running. I know it’s going to take me some time, but the thought of me moving a bit faster than now makes me smile.

I ran until I was about four or five months pregnant and it honestly hurt when I stopped. But I stopped for such a worthy reason. I continue to be active doing yoga and cross training, but I miss the balance that running and yoga bring to my everyday.

As always my main goal for this new and fresh year is to keep everything as simple as possible, and most importantly, to never forget to enjoy the path while trying to reach the goal.

Image:
Leonardo da Vinci
Studies of Embryos, circa 1510-1513
Pen over red chalk
Royal Library, Windsor Castle