My Inspiration: For the love of creation, especially my own.
In 2008, I began paper cutting. First inspired by my son's second grade paper "stained glass" art and snowflakes, I found that the pressure needed to control an exacto knife stills my hands that have quaked since childhood. Born with a benign tremor that worsens with physical and mental stress, it was an amazing experience for me to simultaneously still my hand and my mind.
No matter what, it can be an emotional experience raising children, but I found that in response to information on global climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation and economic instability, I was growing increasingly alarmed, powerless, and apathetic. I was losing the enthusiasm for my own pursuits in sustainability in my home and on my land. I had concluded that our political system and society were frozen, and that, like myself, the more disturbing information that surfaced the more paralyzed we were becoming.
While I retreated into my creativity, I also delved into my knowledge of myth and my curiosity around scientific theory looking for new perspectives and clues to what eluded me: real, lasting broad spectrum change.
No matter what, it can be an emotional experience raising children, but I found that in response to information on global climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation and economic instability, I was growing increasingly alarmed, powerless, and apathetic. I was losing the enthusiasm for my own pursuits in sustainability in my home and on my land. I had concluded that our political system and society were frozen, and that, like myself, the more disturbing information that surfaced the more paralyzed we were becoming.
While I retreated into my creativity, I also delved into my knowledge of myth and my curiosity around scientific theory looking for new perspectives and clues to what eluded me: real, lasting broad spectrum change.
None of my pregnancies or births have been easy, but the third in 2011 was the worst. Nine months of vomiting followed by a dangerous c-section and three blood transfusions, and then I was holding a precious gift made only more precious by how hard I worked.
At times I feel crazy with a momma bear's need to protect her young and a powerlessness to impact a world wide system gone wrong. How can a woman presently devoted to creating a peaceful, healthy, rhythmic daily life for three children possibly find the time and power to help bring about broad scale systemic change...otherwise known as revolution.
At times I feel crazy with a momma bear's need to protect her young and a powerlessness to impact a world wide system gone wrong. How can a woman presently devoted to creating a peaceful, healthy, rhythmic daily life for three children possibly find the time and power to help bring about broad scale systemic change...otherwise known as revolution.