#4 Winter 2024 – “The circle of life is one of the oldest and most sacred symbols. Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle.” Black Elk (Oglala Lakota)

Since August, my work as a French interpreter has brought me to Pennsylvania.
I had the pleasure of meeting the talented artist Brian Deleuzier at a local musical dive bar. His intricate, pointillism-inspired artworks and clothing are created one dot at a time—a philosophy that mirrors my own approach to life and art. I hope his creations will find their way to Oregon soon; his work is nothing short of inspiring and you can find it here: Brian’s Dots.
In NYC, I reunited with cherished friends, including photographer Barbara Rothman, and Shandor Hassan, whose DUST installation left me in awe once again at Streetroad ArtSpace. My time at Streetroad curated by the amazing artist and writer Emilie Artinian, was enriched by other art installations and exhibitions, like Michael Morgan‘s Locust Leap.

“We are what we imagine. Our very existence consists in our imagination of ourselves. The greatest tragedy that can befall us is to go unimagined.”
The Man Made of Words: Essays, Stories, Passages, N. Scott Momaday

Late summer rose like a phoenix, marked by my second journey to Burning Man. Amidst the wild gold heat of the desert, I reconnected with my inner child and experienced boundless art. I captured my experience in a French poem, Up from the Dust, written to honor the third anniversary of my husband Charlie’s tragic passing.
After Fall equinox, I went to Joshua Tree, a place that resonates deeply within my soul. Magic resides in this desert which feels like home, cradling something ancient within, calling us back to where it all began. There, under the Great Comet of 2024, we celebrated friendship, music, and art with kindred souls. With its slender, shiny tail and an orbit spanning 80,000 years, this comet offered us a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. It was the brightest comet in 27 years, since Hale-Bopp in 1997… My soulmate, Evan, celebrated his 40th birthday under this cosmic miracle. Another miracle, another lemniscate…

This season away from home meant putting some of my projects on hold—the ⭕️Oola Hoop Circle and online workshops—but it also allowed for profound growth into my vision. I explored the significance of memory, epigenetics, and commemoration during this grieving period. We carry our ancestors within us—in blood, dreams, and passions—making creativity a profound tool for liberation and remembrance. We are interconnected, and embracing this reveals what lies beneath the veil—ancestors live within our hearts. Symbol of eternity, the lemniscate reminds me of the unbroken bond of love we all share. Again, the power of circle.

The biggest shift of Fall has been the evolution of my workshops into immersive retreats. These retreats, fully rooted in nature, embody my holistic vision of fostering creativity, connection, and mindfulness. Participants are invited to embrace the beauty of the season through time outdoors, seasonal Qi Gong, healthy curated collation, and art-making that transforms physical and emotional experiences into heartfelt creations.
My next retreat, Nature & Postcard Making Retreat: Winter Magic, will take place on December 14th at the Hoyt Arboretum. Together, we’ll explore the magic of winter, its gifts, and its quiet power to nourish our souls.