Music, Art, Poetry, and Spirit
It's been proven that there is no such thing as "staying in your lane" creatively. At least, not for me! So far in my Oregon Adventures, a main theme has been Interdependence. Everything affects everything else, none of my passions are isolated from each other.
Plus, I've met a lot of amazing people...which sometimes (if you're lucky) leads to collaboration opportunities. For example, this project "Blues for Gaia" is at once a 3 track EP on Bandcamp by my friend and Dharma brother James Gregg (aka West Riding) and also a 3 foot long painting by me. The works were created together through riffing off each others' emails back and forth. Read James' well-written liner notes, have a listen, and let me know what you think of the "Doom and Bloom" themes within...
Proceeds go to support Bright Way Zen and the Zen Studies Podcast.
"Blues for Gaia" - Acrylics on thrifted canvas. Not for Sale, but a high resolution download of this image is available, free with music purchase
Here's a poem I wrote after a day-long silent Zen Buddhist retreat, called a Zazenkai.) A Chōka is a Japanese form like Haiku, but instead of the 5-7-5 syllable rule, it repeats 5-7-5-7... ending in two 7s.
June Zazenkai (Chōka)
waiting for a breeze,
a brown bead of a spider
pauses, watches me,
bending to clean the entry,
hands in lather snow.
one deer follows another,
then springs up the hill
he sees us at the window
two ghosts in shadow,
taking refuge in the dark.
silted water slides,
flooding makes a shallow flow
over lost pavement.
someone knew we were coming:
stones walk single file.
the amber cast is empty,
ring the hollow bell!
I can claim none of these gifts,
but I keep them anyway.
The future will be created by interconnected threads both visible and invisible. "Mycelial Network" - Acrylic and thread on 12 x 12 thrifted sign. $320
Village Gallery of Arts
Somehow this year I've become Board President of the Village Gallery of Arts. It was all a whirlwind - one day I was typing minutes and making a few suggestions, the next I'm host at a donor recognition cocktail party. So far it's been fun - learning, building connections, and making new friends. Here's an example of my "Leah's Notes" monthly contribution to the VGA newsletter (which you're welcome to sign up for!). if you're in the Portland/Beaverton area, this gallery is a place I highly recommend. Plan your visit online with the calendar of events and classes, or just stop by between 11 - 5 (except Mondays and major holidays.)
“Shattered Space”, Watercolor and gouache, sealed with cold wax, on a 12" x 9" birch panel. Available at Village Gallery of Arts through July
In helping the gallery, and in meeting so many great people in the Portland area, I feel so lucky to spend time with other creatives who are as passionate as I am about the Arts and community.
Have a wonderful summer, and keep creating!
