Beginner's Mind

 

May beginner's mind be with you as we move forward with new hope.

Quote From Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki  Free PDF: https://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/Zen-Mind.pdf

Spring 2021

 

May this day of complete balance guide us

as we bring the lessons of the past year

into a new world of connection, commitment, and compassion.

Lettering was done with Hiro/Leonardt #4 Blue Pumpkin nib and Chestnut Calligraphica Crystals

on pineapple leaf paper squares resting in witch hazel twigs

Thank you

 

At the beginning of the pandemic, I was scared. Scared of the virus. Scared of suffering. Scared of death. And then scared of what seemed to me to be the uselessness of my life as an artist. If you ask me if art matters, I will unequivocally say yes. If you ask me if my art matters, it’s harder to answer. I make art because I can’t not make art. I’m not being altruistic. I’m just being me.

Thanks to you—my friends online and off, I have come out on the other side of this year with a renewed sense of purpose. Your taking the time to tell me what my work means to you has touched my heart and helped me understand that my art does matter. Thank you!

Lettering with Chestnut Calligraphica Crystals and Hiro/Leonardt #40 nib (Blue Pumpkin) on pineapple fiber paper resting on witch hazel from the garden.

One More from Shirley Chisholm

 

This quote is from the documentary Chisholm '72: Unbossed and Unbought. These are the words she spoke to her team after her campaign for the presidency ended. Her strength of character was incredible throughout the campaign and as it closed. Her only regret, she said, was that "we didn't have more moolah." She continued in public service representing the Twelfth Congressional District of New York until 1983. 

Abigail May Alcott on International Women's Day

 

Abigail May Alcott often said these words to her daughter Louisa who let the world know she was alive through her writing, especially the beloved Little Women. From the book My Heart is Boundless: Writings of Abigail May Alcott, Louisa's Mother edited by Eve LaPlante who is a cousin of Louisa May Alcott and a great-niece of Abigail May Alcott. 

You can download a PDF to print and share here.

A Quote From Shirley Chisholm

 

Last night I watched the documentary Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed on Kanopy, the streaming service connected to my library card (also available on Prime). I was so impressed that I immediately got a kindle version of her book, Unbought and Unbossed which was first published in 1970 before her 1972 run for the Presidency. These words come from her book. It is sad how much they still apply today.

Best Book Contest—You Can Vote!

 

I just found out that my book is on the list for Merrimack Valley Magazine's best book of 2020. You can vote for it: https://www.mvmag.net/2021-mvma-voting/ The books are at the very end so there's a lot of pages to go through to get there. Here's something from the original review by Doug Sparks.

"Calligraphy is a levelheaded look at the artistic process from someone whose relationship with words constantly shifts. It functions both as a crafter’s catalog and as an autobiography, as well as the record of a Merrimack Valley artist whose work spans decades and has remained invigorating, and grows more profound over time."