wildflower

February 12, 2020 1 Comment

love, sweet love

(what the world needs now + new music)

Greetings from the second half of winter here in Minneapolis!

While I’ll admit to having a little cabin fever the past couple weeks, all it takes is something like yesterday’s rime frost to rekindle the winter love. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen – like walking through a magical fairyland. Every branch and cattail covered in white, even frozen mist hanging in the air until the the sunshine burst through.

You can see how dramatically the light and colored changed as golden sunlight burned through the frozen fog and brought colors back to life!

Love comes in all shapes and sizes for family, friends, strangers and self. For animals and plants and art and music, favorite foods, favorite places and all manner of other things that tug at our hearts and bring us joy.

I choose to make Valentine’s Day about the power of Love. It’s what the world needs. Now, and always.

i want to sing you a love song

Music is among the great loves of my life.

My gift to you: an eclectic collection of love songs or, more accurately, songs about love. Not just for Valentine’s Day – more like a soundtrack for a love revolution, an ode to the sweet moments of our lives, an anthem to the power of love over fear.

For friends, lovers, family, plants, animals & people we haven’t met because the whole wide world needs more love. And, of course, for you! xo, Terra

love (07: february 2020)

Something’s Got A Hold On Me | Etta James

Let Your Love Flow | The Bellamy Brothers

Love and Happiness | Al Green

(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding | Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Songbird | Fleetwood Mac

Let Love Rule | Lenny Kravitz

Make You Feel My Love | Bob Dylan

Shower the People | James Taylor

Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) | George Harrison

O, I Love You | Essie Jain

Weight of Love | The Black Keys

What the World Needs Now | Cat Power

Listen here on Spotify.

January 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

let’s take it from the top

new year’s plans and good intentions

I’ve found in the past few years that, while I’m fired up to begin the new year, actually getting things rolling takes me a couple weeks.

I am a person who thoroughly enjoys the promise of a fresh start and, yes, I do set goals at the start of every new year. Around our house, though, we sit around the fire on New Year’s Day, recall our favorite moments of the past year, burn any regrets or things we just want to let go, and then we declare our resolutions – except we call them Hopes & Dreams.

worth 365,000 words…

One thing I have got off the ground already for 2020 is a renewed commitment to daily creativity: the 365 Project.

If you’ve read the Welcome to Wildflower post, you know that my first 365 project (and blog avantgarden365) changed my life and shaped my artistic process of seeking out beauty in everyday subject matter.

2/365: hope springs eternal (azalea buds in january…in minnesota)

The photos you see in this post are the first nine days of 2020. If you’d like to follow along daily, please follow me on Instagram @terrarathai.

There, you’ll also find more commentary on the images.

3/365: trillium by alexis rockman @ Weisman Art Museum

The practice of taking photos everyday is like a sketchbook for me. It’s a place to explore, push myself to see with fresh eyes, experiment, fail, play and commit to the rigors and revelations of any daily practice.

Some days, the last things I want to do is pick up my camera and try to discover something worth seeing in the same, ordinary, everyday surroundings of our home and neighborhood.

But, I do it anyway.

Seeing with an awakened eye, being open to beauty and discovery in the most familiar places, has become both an artistic and a spiritual way of being. It’s my brand of mindfulness – being present in the moment.

6/365: self portrait (with rocco): first run of 2020

The daily photos also become a journal, a visual record of the places we’ve been, the way we’ve grown and changed, and the things that matter to us.

And, then, sometimes, it’s purely for fun!

8/365: breakfast (green protein superfood smoothie)

There is nothing more earnest in a post about good (new year’s) intentions, than a green smoothie, is there? It’s the breakfast I turn to when I’m getting S E R I O U S about my health and fitness.

The fact that I drink it from a 20oz. beer glass tells you a little something about how I see the concept of “balance” in that part of my life…

On any given day, there are subjects I’ll turn to. Subjects that manage to be ever-changing and always new no matter how many times I’ve seen them. The sky is almost always a sure thing. The endless variety of cloud forms, light and color, mood and movement are always the stuff of wonder. And, although we see it every day, it is certainly worth looking at.

To follow along with the daily photos throughout the year, follow my person Instagram @terrarathai. And for even more everyday wonder, follow the blog @wildflowertheblog. Until next time, keep on turning.

Just in time for the Lunar New Year on Saturday (wink, wink), I’ve put together a playlist full of energy, hope, determination, dreams and rock ‘n’ roll. OK, 2020, let’s go!

begin (06: january 2020)

Start Me Up | The Rolling Stones

Setting Forth | Eddie Vedder

Changes | Langhorne Slim & The Law

Running Down A Dream | Tom Petty

What’s the World Got in Store | Wilco

Fire Starter | Honeysuckle

You’ll Be Bright – Innovacation Part 1 | Cloud Cult (*MN Band)

Awake | Freedom Fry

Don’t Stop | Fleetwood Mac

Brand New Day | Van Morrison

My Silver Lining | First Aid Kit

Let The Good Times Roll | JD McPherson

Listen on Spotify.

December 17, 2019 1 Comment

winter wonderland

(with a soundtrack for your Solstice)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” according to the familiar song. While I would argue that every season is full of its own wonders, I do find this time of year pretty magical. There are so many memories and cherished traditions, delicious treats, the joy of giving and, for those of us in the north country, the beauty of winter.

As a snow lover, a White Christmas is always on my wish list. This year, several early season snowstorms have guaranteed that we’ll have one!

insta-the-way-the-willows-glow-in-winter

The approach of the Winter Solstice has me happily nestled in. Cozy socks, white lights on the mantle, a warm, fuzzy blanket, and my favorite candle (scented with essential oils of Frankincense, Myrhh & Palo Santo; it’s called Peace). I start each day in the dark of early morning, soaking up the quiet and candlelight over a fresh, hot cup of coffee.

I’ve embraced the Danish concept of hygge to fully cultivate these simple pleasures in my life and find ways to create ease and joy in what can be a harsh and, sometimes, challenging season. (*Note: the spirit of hygge, defined as: a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being, can be enjoyed year-round, although it’s particularly well-suited to a cold, dark winter).

When nights are long and dark and days are short and cold, what better way to thrive and enjoy daily life than to cultivate connection, simplicity and warmth – not only in one’s home, but also in our hearts? I don’t need to be “doing” anything to fully enjoy being with the people I love. Ideally? With all four of us (plus Rocco) snuggled up in front of the fire like a pile of puppies in a nest of fleece and wool.

Despite this ode to all things cozy, you’ll notice that the photographs in this post have nothing to do with hibernating indoors. That’s because my other favorite thing about the season is a good winter walk with my camera in tow! A fresh blanket of white snow creates the perfect blank canvas, casting each leaf and stem into a starring role in its own work of art. And the subtle color palette – an infinite spectrum of gray, brown and white – is richly soothing in the thin winter light. Truly a winter wonderland.

I hope that you find wonder in this and every season. My gift to you: a playlist that celebrates the many moods of winter. From my north-country home in Minneapolis to yours, wherever you may be.

CHILL (05: December 2019)

A Hazy Shade of Winter| Simon & Garfunkel

Northern Lights | Communist Daughter (*Mpls Band)

Winter | Tori Amos

White Winter Hymnal | Fleet Foxes

River | Joni Mitchell

December Song | Birdtalker/Joy Williams

The Fox in the Snow | Belle & Sebastian

Wintertime Love | The Doors

Flowers In December | Mazzy Star

Shelter from the Storm | Bob Dylan

Like the Weather | 10,000 Maniacs

Cold Weather Blues | Muddy Waters

Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Snow (Hey Oh) | Red Hot Chili Peppers

Play on SPOTIFY here.

Select images available for purchase online @ terrarathai.com

November 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

Season of Thanks & Giving

I haven’t had a chance to post lately, despite having all kinds of photos and stories to share from our road trips this fall and the glorious change of seasons.

This is the busiest time of year for me between holiday art fairs every weekend and hosting the annual Thanksgiving celebration. I usually throw in some home improvement projects, too, just to keep things interesting! Ha!

In the midst of this whirlwind of activity, I do want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for being here! I’m happy to have my little Wildflower blog out in the world and I’m excited to see how it grows.

You read a lot these days about the benefits of gratitude, counting your blessings, and recognizing all the good things in your life. I think it requires intention – not lip service. The art I make has a lot to do with this kind of gratitude, being present to the wonder and beauty in my ordinary, daily world.

Mary Oliver said, Attention is devotion. It’s a form of love – the opposite of neglect or taking things for granted. What better way to show love than giving something or someone your time and attention?

Before I turn my time and attention to preparing a Thanksgiving feast to share with our extended family tomorrow, I want to wish you a day full of good things: friends & family, a hearty feast, thoughtful conversations, belly laughs, a walk in the fresh air and plenty to be thankful for.

November Playlist: THANKS

Songs of gratitude & gathering together. With a little rock ‘n’ roll for dessert. Something to sing with while you work in the kitchen, perhaps…

Blessed, Brett Dennen

Thank You (Falettinme…) / Sly & The Family Stone

Give Thanks & Praises / Bob Marley & The Wailers

I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For / Bing Crosby

Thank you Friends / Big Star

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) / James Taylor

Thank You / Bonnie Raitt

Home / Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes

Thank You / Dido

Gratitude / Earth, Wind & Fire

Home / Caribou

I Want to Thank You / Otis Redding

My Sweet Potato / Booker T. & the M.G.’s

I Thank You / Sam & Dave

Apple Pie / Rafferty

PLAY on Spotify here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

October 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Meander & Muse

The Importance of Doing Nothing

A couple weeks ago I gave myself the rare gift of taking a slow walk alone. I had no agenda, no destination, and no time limit. It was HEAVEN.

I’ve read many times how important it is to give yourself down time, particularly as an artist, in order to allow your brain to rest and recharge. In fact, it’s often in those times of “doing nothing” that the ideas really start to flow because the brain is relaxed. (Article links below)

It’s amazing how difficult it is to allow oneself this time and freedom. I had to remind myself to slow down, be in the moment, loosen up and PLAY.

Of course, I wasn’t actually doing nothing. I was walking, thinking, looking, and (obviously) taking pictures. But it was something about the meandering nature of the whole excursion that made it special.

What does it mean to meander?

It’s all about intention and direction. Whether it’s a winding or indirect course, like a meandering stream, or an just an aimless wander, a good meander is unstructured, organic, and unhurried. It’s about setting the mind free to ramble as well as letting the route form with each spontaneous step.

It’s a chance to daydream. Ponder. Space-out. Imagine. Muse.

To muse is to think silently, to meditate. About something in particular or nothing at all. The archaic definition includes the act of gazing in a meditative or wondering way. What do you know? That’s just what I do!

Then, of course, there is The Muse – artistic inspiration in goddess form. I think of the muse as anything that inspires awe, reverence, and expression.

Meandering summons The Muse.

My muse is nature. There’s no better way to conjure up fresh ideas, discover a different perspective, think outside the box or form new connections than downtime in the great outdoors.

The place I return to again and again is this lake. Just blocks from my house, Lake Nokomis is my haven in the city. It is never the same place twice.

I could spend hours just gazing at the water! Then there’s the flora and fauna, including all manner of trees, bugs, birds and butterflies, an occasional muskrat and native plant gardens along the shore.

I’m blessed to have this place that is so familiar, yet always new. It’s a perfect meandering spot. Like being with people you love most, the ones who know you best, a favorite place allows you to relax your mind and just be.