Eye of the Storm - May 2023

School’s Out

I just finished my 17th year of teaching art. It’s hard to believe I have been in the game for that long. It seems like every year I teach, I feel less and less certain of what I’m actually doing. How do you teach the mystery and magic of the creative process?

I like these words by sculptor and art educator, Augusta Savage:

"I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work."

Makers & Mystics

I would be remiss if I didn’t share about a consistent backdrop of my recent months - the Maker’s & Mystics podcast. The purpose of the podcast is to explore the intersection between creativity and spirituality. True creativity is always spiritual and true spirituality is always creative.

Journeying with Maker’s & Mystics has had a profound impact on me. In many ways it has helped me connect the dots and give language to areas that had previously remained ambiguous.

Below are a few images from my notes from a few Maker’s & Mystics episodes.

Music of the month: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

For May, I chose to explore the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Throughout most of high school I was a big fan of their music. There’s just something about Tom Petty’s nasally and almost whiny voice that works so well.

A few of my favorite Tom Petty tunes:

1. Walls

2. Into the Great Wide Open

3. I Won’t Back Down

4. Learning to Fly

5. Runnin’ Down a Dream

“Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real. It moves, it heals it communicates and does all these incredible things.” - Tom Petty

A Newsletter only a mother could love…

Since starting “The Eye of the Storm” I have enjoyed receiving comments or images from people of things that have caught their eye. The person who has by far sent me the most inspiration has been my mom.

Whether artwork or quotes, she clearly has her eye out for anything interesting. Here are just a few of the things that have caught her eye:

Turtle Belly

Here is a picture of a turtle I found in my neighborhood. I think turtle belly’s are pretty interesting. My two boys were not impressed and encouraged me to flip it back over (and leave it alone.)

I hope you have a great June and enjoy the start of your summer. Thank you as always for taking the time to read and follow along. Take care.