Architecture of a Body

I have a vivid memory of looking through a wildlife field guide as a child and admiring the skulls of whales, bears, deer, shocked they could be of the same substance and yet come in so many shapes and sizes. Those field guides and my stack of encyclopedias were my pride and joy. My artistic …

Finding Spirituality Through Our Values

Spirituality, the sibling of religion with its own individuality, is unique in its theosophical family. We may base religion on our morals through structure and doctrine whereas spirituality exists within us and is personalized to our own signature. Religious views may align with our values but spirituality is built from our values.  Consider institutes and …

The Pull: Describing Inspiration

Certain aspects of reality appeal to us by crossing the boundary between Self and Other. Not just reflections, inspiration is an external twin of our most internal core. Exactly the same, yet separate, in union they form something new. Within me is the child naturalist and when I stumble across something related to the natural …

Inspiration as Proof of the Soul

All ideas come from somewhere. They’re a reaction, like fire, spawned from a connection. This is inspiration. The moment a connection is made between you and the subject, tinder and heat, some intrigue or recognition begins creating something new that’s neither tinder nor heat. Layers, boundaries, and relationships are the equation for inspiration. An idea …

Mind Over Matter: A Poem

You strange story from childhood whose origins I know not— I remember you said we should be guardians of the woods of crisis wrought. So long ago, I can’t recall if the story’s birth was true but thinking back, above else all I was given the wherewithal to become a statue. A wounded woman, arms …

Connecting with Nature: City Living

Metropolis may seem an antonym to nature, but despite the constructions of our stifling cities we’re more than capable of tapping into the creature of earth within. Our buildings and parking lots can’t keep plants and animals out. In a totalitarian garden, weeds may be considered pests. When walking down a city sidewalk though, a …

Metaphilosophy

We haven’t solved any puzzles yet. Philosophy doesn’t offer solutions to living happier, fulfilled, balanced lives, or give true answers to the secret and meaning of life. Well, what’s the point of it then? The point is to explore. Philosophy feels the puzzles out, enjoys learning about experiences, wonders why we feel the need to …

Good to Be Bad: Making Art

Are you afraid to create ‘bad’ art? The answer for myself is invariably yes, as is the answer to the question of failing or underwhelming, but it’s an incomplete response. Yes, I’m afraid, and I understand why I am, and why ‘bad’ art is important. Being aware of the whats and whys brings about a …

Reasons to Explore Multimedia Art

There is nothing inherently limited by working in one media, there is value and power in a piece comprised of one substance with singular support such as oil on canvas, charcoal on paper, there’s dedication. Skilled artists are unrestricted and are capable of using their material to its full potential which is, as potential is, …

Learning to Flow: Word Counts and Short Story Writing Goals

I’ve dedicated this month of November to finishing the first draft of my short story compilation during the annual novel writing contest NaNoWriMo. On November 24 I surpassed the 50k word count that signifies a winner and continued on as my compilation wasn’t complete. Yesterday, just a day or so shy of December 1st, I …