Art and the Foreign Tongue
I am in a foreign country right now. I cannot speak the language very well at all, not for want of trying or lack of preparation. I even hired a tutor for several months to help me along. But here I am – bewildered by the spoken word. Every time someone speaks to me,...
The Puppet and her Travels
I have been transfixed by the travels of Amal over the past several weeks. Finally, her legs have stretched over the English Channel. She has finally reached her destination. One might wonder about the legs of a little girl crossing the strait between France and...
A Trail for Secrets
In his most recent opinion column in the New York Times, Frank Bruni details a significant experience. It suggests a strategy for encountering the creative muse. His neighbor told him about a new walking trail near his house. Bruni had never seen it before. At first...
The Power of Standing Still
I have been drawn again and again to the tree pose over the past couple of weeks, during my yoga practice. This pose is all about standing still, feeling truly grounded to the earth. It is not without tension, for one must remain balanced on one foot to hold the pose,...
Naming the Wilderness
In his book, “Last Child in the Woods,” Richard Louv makes a remarkable observation. He believes that children must interact with nature in order to embrace the notion of mystery. In his opinion, mystery is a fundamental quality of human development that cannot be...Recent Posts
What’s Your Obsession?But we desperately need new models, new and esteemed texts need to be uncovered that take us away from the terrain of war. There should be texts that speak to our moment – where our delicate equilibrium of climate is being upended daily. read more...
At the Top of the Creative MountainYour expectations shape your reality. I have had the opportunity of connecting with every one of you over the past year in one form or another, whether in person or online. I believe in your potential. Spend a few moments with yourself in a quiet space and remind yourself of why you began this project in the first place. Remember how exciting it was when you first captured its essence in your mind’s eye. read more...
Taking Art OutsideOver the years, I have established a relationship with this patch of land. I have traversed the terrain well enough to easily recall each of its inclines and slopes. I use this landscape in my meditation most every morning. read more...
Books for the Dog Days of SummerI have put together a short list of books that have been in my orbit over the past couple of months. These books have spoken to me – and you could do far worse than to pick up one of these books to read while the dog days of summer drag along, when disappearing into a different space altogether is essential to preserving your sanity. read more...
The Crow’s FeatherSo, I decided to give into their calls this morning, to reckon with what they were trying to tell me. Why were they hovering about my land – and such a specific patch of it? read more...
Intersection of Art and YogaHave the courage to stay in the room, no matter how hot it might feel. That discomfort means that you are getting at something meaningful and powerful. Let the sweat gather on your brow. read more...
The Conversation Between Two ArtistsYou may have lost the thread of this conversation over the past few months. It is time to refresh the acquaintance. You should dive a little more deeply into the dialogue, as you now have amassed considerable hours devoted to your work. How does the creative path that you have been walking down respond to aspects of the other artist’s work? read more...
Artistic ZenithJust take a moment to relax into the reality that your artistic project is seeing the light of day. You have worked hard. All the various strands of thought will coalesce, for you have already established a track record for yourself. Do something today to congratulate yourself. read more...
The Subconscious KnocksThe subconscious will attempt to claim a place at the table of our creation, clamoring for our attention. While its presence may be insightful, it can also be challenging to integrate those subconscious stirrings into our work. read more...
Art and the Foreign TongueThe creative endeavor can feel like a foreign language sometimes, as you begin to reckon with what this piece of work really means to you. Just what do you want to communicate? read more...