Journal
Writing from the art.
The Art of Rejection (Move through Rejection and Align with your Calling)
As a professional artist, rejection and I have become old acquaintances. Each proposal and application set free into the world has its own destiny; some return bearing fruit, others with the polite 'no thanks' we're all familiar with. I've learned to receive these letters with a nod and a silent acknowledgment that not every opportunity is my call to answer. Last year's forgotten application was a testament to this practice of Trust and letting go.
Sometimes though, sometimes it hurts.
Remember and See the Humanity of the Palestinian People. And Take Action.
On the day Hamas bombed Israel, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping hundreds of others, I spoke about the power of art in front of The Olympia-Rafah Solidarity Mural Project.
How to Value Yourself as an Artist or Leader (Five Tips to Inspire Action)
Valuing yourself, especially in fields driven by passion like art and community leadership, is essential. Here are five short tips to help you recognize their worth, whether you are an artist, a community leader, or an educator.
Summer Reflections: Focusing On “Integration” & An Exciting New Mural Project!
As I write this, Seren heads off to her first day of school, the plums fall from our trees, dripping with juicy sweetness, and the apples hang heavy on branches. We will harvest this sweet bounty later, preserving it for winter. I welcome the changing seasons—the shift from the glorious busyness of summer to the focused energy of fall.
7 Helpful Tips to Pitch Your Collaborative Art Idea
Revisiting my experience proposing and carrying out a collaborative art project with a local organization allowed me to craft 7 helpful tips that should jumpstart your pitch if you're looking to propose a project idea to your organization, agency, or school!
Transforming Communities with Art (+ Recap of My Komachin Middle School Project)
Are you an artist or educator looking to engage and inspire young people? But maybe you’re not sure how to begin? Allow me to share an incredible story from last winter, where I spent 6 weeks with 2 middle school marine biology classes and their amazing teachers.
Tears of Tahoma: Collaborative Art Project with Avanti High School
I am incredibly moved and humbled by the Avanti High School students’ ability to maintain hope, take action, and help me understand what it is like to be a young person today. Thank you, Avanti students and leaders for making this collaborative art project a reality!
Forging a New Path
Does life sometimes seem to knock you off your path? You’re going along just fine and then, wham! something hits you out of left field?
As an Artist, I get rejected all the time. Rejection is simply part of the job. In fact, if I’m not getting rejected, I’m probably not putting myself out there enough. But this one, this one was something I’d been working on for years. It was less of a rejection and more of unexpectedly coming to the end of a path. It was simply gone.