Recent Work
Washington Post
For a story about a woman who was to spread her mother's ashes over a certain rock.
Pencil Box
Invitation cover for event to be held at the docks at the Ritz-Carlton Miami
Indianapolis Power & Light
Series for a community outreach campaign
The Baltimore Sun
Every week for two years I created an illustration for the Baltimore Sun's Sunday Supplement.
ELSEWHERE:
The Blog
May
30
hi there.
I’m back from a trip up north filled with family and bookended with long periods of driving. And driving always seems to make me contemplative and quiet. And I haven’t really shaken that feeling since I got back.
I am feeling the need to simplify. And simplify. And simplify. A need to find where my head is right now (I’ve been a little restless and edgy lately for some reason) and where to go next, if anywhere. It feels a bit like an identity crisis. But crisis isn’t the right word. An identity solidifying maybe. Or an identity direction search. I’m just trying to observe what’s making me uncomfortable and then let it go so I can live it…
I came home to weeds in my garden and set about pulling them one by one. I started to get a little antsy because it was taking a while and I was starting to get hot, so I tried to pull out handfuls at a time. But it didn’t work. Only the leaves came off when I did that… no roots. So I went back to pulling them out one by one, making sure to get the roots. And I laughed at myself because it felt like something I keep learning again and again: focus, be there now… Do one thing at a time and make sure you go down deep. When you start to do too much at once or focus on too many changes at a time, you never really get to the heart of it. It’s just surfacey and non-productive if you don’t look at each thing on its own. You gotta get the roots.
can i borrow those lifesavers?
hope you enjoyed your trip back
home. if you are ever back here
for an extended trip, i would love
to meet for lunch on mass ave….don’t
you miss that?
this blog speaks to me more than anything i have read today. i tend to try to do too many things too fast, not taking time to dig deep and really sort out one thing at a time. i feel inspired to slow down lately and take the time to complete the lessons learned in everything….
thanks for this post.
to the roots! i love this metaphor. i’m really trying to hone in and focus too. this surprises me that this is challenging for you b/c you seem so focused P. i feel i’m more a grazer, but maybe this too can be a strength if it’s harnessed with the strength of a root. does that make sense?!
xoxo,
mati
had you bookmarked from awhile back and thought I’d check in and see why. now I know…your “in the moment” thoughts. and yes weed pulling is very theraputic, i seem to find the solution to anything nagging me when i get some garden time in (sometimes i don’t even think anything is bothering me until i “pull” it out) thanks for the nudge – again.
i hear you sister.
beautiful art, potent words.
blessings on your journey always,
leonie
You could not have said this more perfectly.
I picture myself pulling the weeds just as you…and somehow I never get down to those roots! Or focus enough to. Thanks for the reminder!
Love this post…thank you for the great words. “I’m just trying to observe what’s making me uncomfortable and then let it go so I can live it… ” That part really spoke to me.
It was so great to see you! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning! :)
I am with you on the SIMPLIFY train. It is harder to do than say, that is what I’m finding. Like you said, one step at a time, that is the key.