mar '26 favorites
Small things that made my March just a little bit better.
creating
This month, I painted in a concertina art journal for the first time. A concertina is just a fancy name for an art journal that is formed from an accordion or zigzag fold, a continuous page that allows you to work across an uninterrupted surface. The art develops as you unfold each page. I found it a uniquely fun way to make art.
Watch the video here.
following
YouTube: Catherine Rains shares how to make and use collage paper. Her channel is filled with ideas.
Pinterest: Marabeth Quin has boards that are filled with artistic visual interest and her art, which has textural landscapes.
Instagram: Floret Flowers' content is beautiful and offers many ideas for growing and displaying flowers.
True creativity does not come easy; creativity is born of risk and refined from failure.
—Erwin Raphael McManus
inspiring (artist)
Sonia Delaunay was born (1885) and raised in Russia, but spent the majority of her adult life in Paris. She attended art school but disliked the teaching style, so she instead spent time in museums and galleries. Delaunay drew inspiration from artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Matisse.
Delaunay found moderate success with her artwork. Due to increasing financial difficulties, she created a dressmaking business to support her artist husband and child. This led to much success, and she eventually began designing costumes and sets for the theatre.
In 1964, Delaunay was the first living female artist to have a retrospective exhibition at the Louvre. She died in 1979 at the age of 94.
I did a very quick study of her 1970 Untitled artwork, which hangs in the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington DC).
reading
I recently finished Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being. The book is a series of short essays about every aspect of creativity you can think of, plus some you can’t. For me, his reminder that it’s important to make art even when it’s difficult cannot be stated enough. And my personal mantra, “just begin,” aligns with his value of just showing up and starting. As in all books of this genre, you might think it’s just one more author telling you mumbo jumbo about being a creative until you read that phrase that touches, encourages, or propels you forward. For me, “Failure is the information you need to get to where you are going,” was that phrase. A good reminder to press on.
The goal is not to fit in. If anything, it is to amplify the differences, what doesn’t fit, the special characteristics unique to how you see the world. Instead of sounding like others, value your own voice.
—Rick Rubin
blooming
Our Star Magnolia never ceases to surprise me. The drama of the creamy white blooms erupting on bare branches seems extravagant. A lovely way to announce that spring is coming.
eating
Half Baked Harvest’s Spiced Lentil Soup is another family favorite. I consider it a healthy comfort food filled with chunky veggies and textured lentils. I don’t know about you, but the scent of ginger and garlic simmering with onion draws even the most picky eater to the kitchen. The soup is flavorful and not overly spicy. I generally double the recipe, so I have lunch for a few days.
I’ve adapted the recipe by swapping out the sweet potatoes for cauliflower, but either way is good. And I generally use white lentils instead of red. I find red lentils too mushy for my taste. Lastly, I don’t add the cilantro as in my opinion it gets lost in the soup. And trust me, there is no need to ladle this over rice.
All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
—St Francis of Assisi
arranging
Even grocery store flowers bring a smile to my face and are always a thoughtful surprise. It’s a good reminder that flowers don’t need to be ostentatious or expensive to be lovely.
capturing common
If I remember correctly, the first time I viewed these vintage frames was on Rick’s classic anatomical human torso model named Hemo. As I remember the story, Hemo was a relic from a 1970’s science class, and to be honest, I’m not certain of his legal acquisition. Let’s just say that not all assets brought into a marriage are of financial value; some are clearly sentimental.
All that to say that these frames have become what I like to call a ‘decorative touch’ displayed on our dresser next to the vintage typewriter. It sounds weirder than it is. Or maybe it is plain weird.
As I finish writing this, I have a vague memory of seeing an eerily similar photo of these frames in a box of Rick’s old photos. Now that really is weird.
A flower blooms for its own joy.
—Oscar Wilde
snowing
After one of the warmest winters on record, Seattle gets its first and only snowfall of the winter on Friday the 13th. If you’re prone to superstition, you might think it unlucky or indicative of misfortune, but to me it symbolized a day to slow down. After all, it was gone in 12 hours.
celebrating
Our sweet Remy turned one this month. Her big eyes, gentle nature, and adorableness melt me every time I see her. As a grandparent, these benchmarks make me wish I could catch, linger, and stall time. More is never enough. Maybe now I can better understand the message of Jim Croce’s famous song, “Time in a Bottle.”
Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.
—Albert Einstein
also celebrating
Six weeks ago, in a panic, I signed up for a beginner tennis class, having not swung a racket in over 10 years. The joy in celebrating my baby sister Monica’s 60th birthday at a tennis resort turned to terror as I realized my dilemma. What was I thinking? Somehow, I acquired just enough basic skills to play and didn’t notice my sister (on the left) cringing too much. Due to the fiery furnace weather conditions, we were the only fools, I mean players, that signed up for the backhand class, so we had the good fortune of having the pro to ourselves.
Despite the oppressive heat, we celebrated with tennis, pool time (including birthday DJ shout-out), and hours of conversation. Not since the summer of 1982, while riding in the back of our dad’s pick-up truck, towing a boat from Oregon to Lake Shasta, CA to go waterskiing have we had so much time together. Sisters are simply the best, and I am grateful every day for mine.
vexing
Driving to the airport in the midst of Palm Springs recent ‘excessive heat warning’ I find myself drifting back in time, recalling a similar situation. It is the year 2018 when I find myself in Uganda in the backseat of a van titled “Ten Men,” lethargic from the 110-degree heat. Gritty dust blowing through the open windows, sticking to face and, eyes and throat. I remember lying my head back in a stupor with the energy level of a paralyzed ox.
I kid you not. Ask Janine, she sat next to me.
Eight years later, Sister and I face similar heat-induced demons, windows down, dust blowing, sweaty faced, our luggage perilously stacked on the front seat. I mouth the words “memory maker” to her, as unbeknownst to me, “visions of calling 911 ran through her head”. As our driver swerves, our luggage tumbles toward his outstretched hand, he overcorrects, narrowly missing the curb. The words, “gross negligence” (his) comes to mind, countered by “ignoramus” (me). And to think we paid $42 for this.
I kid you not. Ask Sister, she sat next to me.
We all enjoy convenience and comfort. But our bodies and souls yearn for challenge. We want to be stretched. A meaningful and fulfilling day requires small moments of discomfort. Growth demands discomfort. We need something to push against to learn how strong we can become.
—James Clear
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
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