Jeremy Rifkin: thoughts on human nature

The talks below by Jeremy Rikin got me thinking about the role of art in our culture and really the world. Rifkin's has spent the past several years studying empathy and its relationship to our collective belief that humans are naturally aggressive. He challenges us to imagine using our … [Read more...]

The Truth about Facebook and Twitter

One of favorite things to do when I'm out in public is people watching, I love  guessing the stories happening around me, most of us do...it's kinda hard to resist. We can’t help eavesdropping on conversations in public places, it’s a way for us to feel part of a greater whole and a rather … [Read more...]

Leaning on the Shoulders of Giants

I has a plan! Hurrah! Well, sort of. It’s the beginnings of a plan. A plan of studying and learned-ness. (I’m feeling a little bit silly this morning, can you tell?) I have recently instituted office and studio hours. This is new for me. I’ve never really had “hours” before. But from … [Read more...]

A stamp of approval

The following post is part of a periodic series I call "Words of Wisdom: insights and inspiration". The series will contain real stories about real artists and their journeys of growth as they face the personal and cultural challenges of bringing their visions to us. We all face challenges in … [Read more...]

How photography connects and changes us

Ever since the first day I held a camera in my hand when I was eight years old, I have been drawn to exploring the many ways we can memorialize our time and space on this planet through photography. Beginning with the early forms of image capture and continuing through today's digital … [Read more...]

Resistance is Futile:the truth behind social networks

While studying thirty years of data collected as part of a national study on obesity Nikolas Christakis and James Fowler began what would soon grow into significant findings about how connected we all are. In the process they discovered and verified the presence of the degrees of influence we have … [Read more...]

Self Promotion Monsters

So on Friday, I announced that I’m doing a thing – a live painting marathon and auction. Which on the one hand, I’m totally excited for. And on the other hand – oh my god. So nervous! It’s just triggered all of my fears and all of my monsters. Self promotion It kinda makes me want to … [Read more...]

Does Beauty Matter? part II

Have people lost their faith in beauty? Scruton explores  the change brought on by Deuchant, Koontz et. al. and how that change attempted to give  meaning to "a here and now" world as opposed to an idealized one. Scruton maintains that art is really about creativity which is a call to others to … [Read more...]

Does Beauty Matter? part I

A few days ago I was sent a link by one of my Facebook friends, it connected to a six part BBC special narrated by British philosopher Roger Scruton. The subject was “Why Beauty Matters”. After watching the entire series I thought it would be an excellent catalyst for further conversations … [Read more...]