The snow was beautiful last week, until I had to push a stroller with a 20-pound boy around Brooklyn. I don’t need to use the rowing machine at the gym for a while… Today there is snow falling again! I can’t wait to see those colorful flowers glowing around the tree trunks.
The last couple [...]
Hello all!
Welcome to my new website/blog. There are so many positive things happening this year, I hope to find more time to write. As you probably know, 2009 was an amazing year for me because I had an incredible baby boy. But as many artists who are also parents know, it is extremely challenging to [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
This morning was perfect for a run. I quietly changed, picked my iPod, running watch and took a last look at my sleeping boys — they both looked so beautiful and peaceful.
I was sleepy too and left my sleepiness guide me through the streets of Brooklyn. I set my iPod to shuffle songs. The [...]
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 [...]
One of our good friends introduced us to the beautiful collection of children’s books called the Maurice Sendak.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Yoga class begins by dedicating the practice to someone or something. Dedicating the class gives me an incredible feeling of purpose. I began to practice yoga after reading of its benefits for runners, but it didn’t take me long to realize that practicing yoga is about something deeper than flexibility.
I want to dedicate my [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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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 [...]
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
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 [...]
How do we get to that mysterious moment when we know we are ready to get out of our comfort zone? This question passed my mind while getting back home after one of my “new” modified workouts. As most of you know by now, we are expecting a baby boy. It feels pretty amazing. This [...]
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 [...]
After an eventful summer with so many exciting changes and challenges (more on that soon), I took a last break before the beginning of the new season. Before flying back home, we received an unexpected visit by tropical storm Hanna. She woke us up in the middle of the night with an amazing display of [...]
I used to see myself as an artist that liked to run and to practice yoga. After years of equally enjoying all three — one day — they suddenly merged. Yoga for me is that special place where I’m just myself as I flow through poses like mountains, trees, triangles and warriors. I find all [...]
During yoga class, the instructor tells us to make each pose our own ⎯ and I like to apply this to art as well. As artists, we are part of a community. We constantly share ideas and look at each other’s work, but when we create, we make it ours.
Last month, I met with video [...]
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 [...]
I still remember the day I decided to sign up for a 5K in Central Park. I didn’t know what to expect, but wanted to know how it felt to be part of a running event. The race was in the spring, but on that day, it was raining and cold! After the race, I [...]
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. [...]
I have this