ZOËLAB: THE LIFE AS ART BLOG
Making a Mess
I watched him take the black board eraser, dip it in a bucket of muddy water, and then rub it carefully all over the blackboard. He was, in a sense, cleaning the chalkboard--he was erasing chalk with mud.
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.
El Principito En Baja: Behind The Scenes and on The Stage
The story of the multi-media production, the cast & crew, photos and a song!
Can't Say A Better Day
Many of the inspirations for my songs come from clever, in the moment things that people near me express, which I then write down. One of my latest songs, Rock-n-Roll Thing came from a spontaneous statement of self-knowledge Emilio made at 3 years old.
Musical Collaboration between Lucas & Emilio
Last year, Lucas and Emilio collaborated on a spontaneous song project. Lucas played guitar while Emilio improvised a song--this was the result:
Secret Powers, a short conversation with Emilio
A conversation between Lucas and Emilio, who just turned 6 the other day:
Jardin de Niño Diaries, Part Four
And then one day Vanessa asks me—maybe we can use the money to buy paint for the school? Of course. Why did I not think of that? I buy paint for the background, for the mural and for the classroom.
Last Day of Kindergarten
Yesterday was Emilio's last day of Kindergarten. Surely a day of mixed feelings for me. This day marks the end of early childhood, and the beginning of middle childhood.
Lego Photo Essay
I am obsessive about photographing life. Sometimes it's a way of making contact with the world. Sometimes it's about accepting what is. And sometimes it's a way of keeping what is so meant to be transitory.
Parenting Breakthrough
I recognize that, with parenting, just like everything else, the areas we struggle with the most are opportunities for healing, growth and transformation. In other words, parenting kicks my ass and Emilio is my greatest teacher.
Spring Family Drawing
I suddenly felt that anything I drew that had Mio's mark on it was better, more interesting. It was also an experience in letting go of ego.
Cowboy Photoshoot
Mio promptly got dressed into his cowboy outfit, and posed very cooperatively for Lucas for twenty minutes.
THE CASE OF THE KALEIDOSCOPE AND THE PLASTIC JEWEL THIEF
Emilio loves to collect what he calls jewels. His jewels are made of different materials, some are plastic, some are glass or stone, but what they all have in common is that they are translucent and brightly colored.
Impressions of Mariposa Night & Guerrilla Gallery, March 27th
When you open up to spirit, creativity is limitless. In order to manifest it, we must ignite our passion for truth, which illuminates our underground excavations.
Jardin de Niño Diaries, Part Three
I am still very much attuned to my own inner child and that part of me easily connects to children. Even if my spanish is awkward and the room is chaotic, just being with children is a very good thing for the soul. Each week for the rest of the year, I brought a new project to do with the kids.
Jardin de Nino Diaries, Part Two
I have come to realize that at this point my only real chance to have a true cross cultural experience here in Baja (which is so full of gringos and so influenced by American culture) is through my involvement with the Elias Calles preschool. Even though I feel shy and intimidated, and struggle with communication, I push through it all knowing that this a great opportunity.
GeGe & MeiMei, Part Two
The other lessons that came from Alexander were cultural. One day, sometime in the mid eighties, while waiting for the bus in Brooklyn, Alexander turned to me and gravely stated: “Promise me, Zoë, that you will never wear designer jeans.” I asked him why, and he said, “just promise me.” So I promised him.