I had originally planned to write today about happiness and had found this quote: “Happiness is your nature. It is not wrong to desire it. What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.” by Hindu philosopher and yogi Ramana Maharshi that describes what I often meditate about regarding a path to less consumerism and higher compassion.
I had thought of sharing how to improve our connection to happiness through a regular forest bathing practice.
But thinking about the recent events of extreme heat waves, including in this part of the world, and the awful wildfires, and all the global news regarding the state of the climate crisis, I felt like turning the table and focus on the “happiness” and well-being OF the forests and the oceans and all the species that are “not-human”. Perhaps finding empathy in each of our hearts lies the key to THEIR happiness and well-being as well?
“Treat each entity outside of yourself as if it were your child, your family, your loved one” comes to my mind. This might help “them” and “us” in return… Happiness is your nature… happiness is Nature… Nature is happiness… We are all connected…
As per my art, I have exciting news:
My solo exhibit, Echoes from the Pandemic, at the Acton Memorial Library will be on view from July 10th to Aug 25th, 2023.
There are some environmental awareness exhibits coming up this Fall:
· GEOMORPHIC FORESIGHTS, a 2-women show at Gallery 1832 of LabCentral, along with artist and curator Liliana Folta, will be on view from September 2023 to January 2024, at 238 Main Street, Cambridge MA. Opening Reception: Thu Oct 12th (4:30-6:30 pm).
The exhibit will occur in parallel with CATCH AND RELEASE at 700 Main Street, featuring i3C artists Rebecca McGee Tuck and Jeffrey Nowlin, and Lisa Barthelson, and Loretta Park. Opening Reception: Wed Oct 4th (4:30-6:30 pm).
· The next i3C exhibit will be at the Piano Craft Gallery, INSPIRING CHANGE FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS: THE NON-HUMAN IS PUSHING BACK, and co-curated by Jeffrey Nowlin, Michaela Morse, and me. We are excited to show at this space and look forward to installing some new work that sparks conversation and action around the climate crisis. The exhibit will run from Sept 1-17, 2023, and the Opening Reception will be on Fri Sept 1st, 6-8pm.
I will take a break from blogging in July. Until next time in August!
Image: "We Are All In This Network" (detail), acrylic, acrylic pen, and ink pen on corrugated cardboard, 11.7 x 9 x 1.1 inches, available