ZOËLAB: THE LIFE AS ART BLOG
Dia De Muertos, A Magical Day of Creativity & Community in Todos Santos
A very special day filled with art & community in Todos Santos in photos.
Chaos & Connection
how could you let go
unless your heart knew there was something out there to catch you?
Start From Where You Are, One Size All Advice For Creativity + Life
But, there’s one method of unblocking that I have found that never fails and is applicable to all situations. It doesn’t require any special equipment or knowledge. You don’t need to spend a lot of time with it. And it is always available.
Why I Heart Art Journaling
Not everyone is necessarily blessed with a room of one's own. But a journal, which is inexpensive and can be carried anywhere, is your turtle shell. It’s your mobile home that reflects your heart, mind, body & soul. A traveling holistic mirror. A moveable space where you get to develop your point of view, your world, your visions. It’s a space for lovingly holding your wounds, dreams & questions. And for artists of all kinds, its an invaluable tool.
Breaking The Rules + The Routine
I am a daily practice pusher. A creative crusader, challenger.But... sometimes you need to break from the routine. Sometimes you need to break the rules and play hooky from your daily practices. Sometimes you need to “be bad” in order to find out the edges of your personality. Sometimes you have to try something different or just take the day off.
My first podcast and the question I most want to be asked
I am an avid listener of Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and have always secretly dreamed of being interviewed myself. My wish came true last week, when I shared my story with Meg Kissack for her podcast, The Couragemakers.
Meta Lab: Definition
Inspired by yesterday’s post about both/and I have created a one sentence description of ZOELAB that includes pretty much everything that it needs to include.
That Which Hinders Your Task Is Your Task
Do you ever have the feeling that you’re doing something no one’s ever done before? It’s a frightening feeling, even though it's the mind thinks it’s impossible. It’s the feeling of falling. But it’s also a fast and low feeling, like driving a motor boat or a car. A feeling that splits open the ego and lets the heart shine. I have that feeling now. And then suddenly, it’s gone. I waver somewhere between velocity and fear.
Creatures Night and Day
There is something to be said for peeing under the stars. Where the crickets can see you. I can hear them now with their staccato siren call. A surround sound symphony easing me into night.
Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down
Don’t let the bastards get you down, my little one.
Be strong, and bring forth the parts you know to be true.
For if you do not, you will have not lived the life you were blessed with.
A Letter from ZOELAB Headquarters
We have reached the first quarter of the year, and every day I feel more and more inspired. I feel like I climbing slowly into the creative flow that I always dreamed of, but never had the discipline to make happen.
Projects, Parenting & Spray Bottles, Part Four
Anytime my activity at hand is seen by Emilio, not as something getting in the the way of my attention towards him, but rather something he can be part of, is a step in the right direction. It means that I can have a life other than being his mom that he can witness. It makes our relationship more mutual.
Projects, Parenting & Spray Bottles, Part Three
As he enjoys splashing in his tub, I enjoy soaking, scrubbing, and grooming my feet. After a while, he becomes interested in what I am doing and asks if he can have a pedicure too. He thinks a pedicure is an object he can have.
Projects, Parenting & Spray Bottles, Part Two
It’s only been a few days of this new approach, but so far I am encouraged by how much I’m accomplishing while still giving Emilio the attention he needs.
Projects, Parenting & Spray Bottles, Part One
Now that Emilio is three years old, and has expanded his attention span and developed a lovely imagination, we can work on projects together that we both enjoy.
dichotomies/dualities
I have come to believe, as the Taoists do, that in life, all things and thoughts have an opposite that is equally true. Nature is predicated on the balance between opposites: birth/death, light/dark, creation/destruction, and so on. If we ignore one half of a dichotomy or judge it, then we are not balanced, we are not allowing ourselves to the see and experience the whole and natural truth. As it is said: “you can’t have one with out the other.”
When The Going Gets Tough
remember to paint a picture
of your heart
where the tiny voice speaks