Journal
Writing from the art.
Disconnect to Reconnect
Last night, I consciously stepped away from the digital clamor of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, participating in the “Lights out on Meta” boycott. As I awoke this morning, a wave of panic swept through me. How disconnected have I become from the world, from my own community? I felt a deep unease as I considered how tightly our digital communications are held in the hands of a few powerful men.
Yet, this act of disconnecting is unexpectedly liberating.
Winter Solstice: A Time of Darkness and Transformation
The winter solstice is a time of darkness, a moment of profound stillness, a pause before the days start to stretch toward the light again. As I sit here, bathed in the low warmth of the winter sun, I am reminded that even in the darkest moments, there is always a stirring within—an anticipation for what lies ahead.
On this cool, crisp day, it’s as if the sunshine warming my skin is lighting my heart. There is an energy inside me, something both quiet and powerful, like an egg quickening within, ready to become something new. The chrysalis of my life is opening, revealing possibilities that I never imagined.
From Imaginal Cell to Cultural Metamorphosis
How can a single moment of inspiration ripple out to create waves of change across the globe? As I reflect on my recent trip to Aotearoa, New Zealand, this single question winds through my ramblings, landing me at, not the beginning, but a beginning.
Emerging from Shadows: The Story of My Memoir Unfolds
As I walked the familiar trail near my home, I wished I had worn my running shoes. Not for comfort, but because my heart was so full of joy and excitement that I wanted to run, to let loose in the sheer exhilaration of the moment. With each breath, I soaked in the beauty of the day—the only day like it, the day that was here and now.
My thoughts buzzing with delightful anticipation, I rejoiced in my thriving relationships, my daughter shining brightly in my life, and adventures awaiting with kindred spirits across the globe. Among many thrilling updates, there is one that stands out, filling me with a profound sense of purpose and, admittedly, a bit of trepidation: I am writing a book.
Art of the Estuaries, an Indigenous Art Show
It was such an honor to work with these artists as the curator for this show and to invite you to see their compelling works. Stop by and check it out during open gallery hours and join us for the Artist Reception on September 20!
We Can All Use a Little Hope
It was an honor to unveil a new Climate Art and Action Project at the Festival of the Steh-Chass's youth camp yesterday. I worked with over 30 youth, discussing climate change, sea level rise, and the impacts they are already witnessing. And, of course, solutions. The smoke from western forest fires had only recently cleared and was fresh in their minds. It was easy to see that for many of them, climate change was all too real, and all too daunting. Yet they responded not just with worries and anxiety, which I imagine most of us have in the face of this looming threat, but with Hope.
One Water Three Years Later
What comes to mind when you think of a wastewater treatment plant? I would bet it’s not a LEED Platinum rated building housing a science center and award-winning education programs. The LOTT Clean Water Alliance in downtown Olympia is pretty unique, and is recognized internationally as a utility of the future. This means we pioneer innovative technologies and cutting-edge practices, with a focus on resource recovery, efficiency, sustainability, and community engagement.
Design Collaboration: Less Waste, More Food
At the beginning of March, I kicked off the Less Waste, More Food Art in Action Project with 4 design workshops, involving 100 students, at Salish Middle School and North Thurston High School. In these workshops, I presented about the problems of wasting food. In the US we waste 40% of the food we grow! This wasted food has huge social and environmental impacts, including: