JUNE, WHAT ALREADY?!! HERE COMES THAT SUMMER WIND

What a year.

SATOYAMA I AND SATOYAMA II, Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers

In February, I had the pleasure of making program for Black History Month. My project for Petaluma Blacks for Community Development was “Art in Conversation: Black Resistance in Contemporary Art”. We were hosted by Museum of Sonoma County, where I spent a great afternoon moderating our conversation with my friends Unity Lewis, TheArthur Wright and Michael Granville. Our topic was Black Resistance in Contemporary Art. The afternoon was filled with their great conversations, candor and beautiful art displayed in a video format included in our recorded conversation. This is now available to view here on Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/809350191 .

In April came an invitation to a local women’s club offered another opportunity to speak about my work with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the projects over the years. This was such a wonderful date and loved the lunch and the gals at Newcomer’s Club.

Satoyama. It is a Japanese term meaning, ‘to live in harmony with the natural world’. The Japanese word satoyama describes a landscape that lies between the opposites of the natural and human worlds. In Japan, the Satoyama Initiative is based on the principle that these landscapes, when properly managed, can benefit both biodiversity and human livelihoods, rather than these being in a state of opposition, thus leading to "society in harmony with nature". It’s the human/natural world thing, something like a primeval forest and the buzz of a city, containing both natural and human elements.

Perhaps it is my love of Nature that I find this a good vision to live by. Living in Sonoma County my landscape is near the Pacific, the Petaluma River and the Napa Sonoma mountain range. My Satoyama images became kinetic sculptures, now on exhibition at Santa Rosa City Hall Council Chambers. I delivered the art on my birthday as a gift from the Universe to allow me to make a moment in Public Art.

Ok, so you know me, and I love this art movement I’m in. Grateful, busy, happy,…somebody pinch me.

A few more projects down the road, Saturdays at the Original Farmers Market at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, an exhibition for the 4th, and July 2nd at Penngrove Fourth of July with the parade, bbq, and crafts in the park. And the Summer begins. I just need a bit more time in my garden. And a day off….

I wish you Peace, Calm and personal Revolution. I am working on the Peace and Calm, and the revolution is the freedom in the artwork I make.

Loads of hope for a cool Summer, weatherwise and people too. This Spring fog is the best!

Happy Summer!