« La plus grande chose du monde, c’est de savoir être à soi. »
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself”
— Michel de Montaigne, De la solitude in Essais
Even in the darkest of times, Spring feels like a promise of hope.
After Winter’s season of introspection, gestation, and dreams come the teachings of the vernal equinox and nature’s awakening: longer days, melting snow, hibernating animals stirring, primavera — First Spring in Latin — crocuses, and buds coloring bare branches. Across cultures and traditions, this is the triumph of light, love, and renewal.
It is a time for planting seeds — not only in the soil, but in our lives.
Some seeds emerge quickly. Others take weeks, months, even years.
Connecting to the rhythms of Nature reminds us that growth is rarely immediate, yet always possible. It grounds us in community and in this shared place we call Home: Earth.
Even when hope feels fragile, there is always space for growth. This is the season to support one another through action, presence, and energy. And the first act of support is self-support. Easier said than done — and I am no exception!
That is why my classes and workshops matter so much to me. They create intentional spaces where we gather through art, culture, and nature to restore, reflect, and grow. I am deeply grateful to continue holding these spaces — where tools are shared, practices are explored, and community is nurtured.
Photo: Sensing Winter, Art & Nature workshop – Feb 2026
Hoyt Arboretum in Portland.
Where I Am Now…
I am standing at the intersection of seasonal wisdom, art practice, and cultural storytelling. Over the years, I have studied plant medicine and aromatherapy, moon cycles, mythology and cultural rituals. I’ve been quietly building a seasonal planner that helps me maintain my eagle vision while staying efficient with the mouse-sized tasks of daily life. If you feel called to explore seasonal living more deeply, I am opening a few private sessions blending cyclical living, art practice, and personalized seasonal tools. Explore my Guide pratique de l’Ordinaire or email me.
“A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.” — Crazy Horse, Sioux
I am sharing more of my art and personal mythology on Substack through my ongoing project, Collée au Vent: Sunset Highway. It traces my journey from La Pomme in Marseille to the Big Apple, from the East Coast to the West Coast on my motorcycle Agent Cooper, from being “an alien” to becoming an American citizen this Spring.
I step into American citizenship while honoring the French roots that shaped my mythology.
Photo: Self Portrait of America, Bellingham WA.
Black and White Portraits Lenscratch Exhibition – Spring 2026
Written in French in 2015, the first poem I am sharing — La VH sacrée — returns to childhood and the beginning of my American journey. True to my exploration of aesthetics and creative process, I also published an article on symbolism & language in civilization: Au commencement était le Verbe.
Inspired by this transformative time, I am proposing a creative journey into French language, art, and the season at L’École Buissionnière starting in April: Carnets de Voyage. Over six weeks, participants explore journaling in French, cultural and art inspirations, creative expression, and a final exhibition — building confidence and playfulness through artistic expression and conversations.
Another professional path I felt called to pursue was becoming a qualified Health care French interpreter for the State of Oregon. I am excited about this new milestone, as it allows me to support the Francophone community in navigating legal and health-related conversations. I especially appreciated the training led by Mireya Pérez, which highlighted how culture and communication are subtle yet fundamental keys to living together.
This coming season feels like a quiet confluence of roots and wings where clarity in language and vision deepens my sense of belonging and becoming.
WINTER MOMENTUM
I was selected by the Griffin Museum of Photography for the exhibition Landscapes of Wonder: National Parks. One of my analog photographs from Zion National Park is currently on view. Scale, permanence, beauty, responsibility — these themes continue to shape my relationship with photography, adventure, and landscape. The exhibition reminds us of both the endurance of the natural world and its vulnerability, and runs through April in Winchester, MA.
Music and Art warmed the darker months. My friend Pati Rojas released her first EP, and seeing her perform at the Showdown Saloon in Portland was pure joy. Empty Spaces is one of my new favorite tunes.
At the FisherPoets Gathering in Astoria, I encountered fierce humans shaped by the unforgiving force of the ocean, along with poets whose voices rekindled my own desire to return to ink alongside brushes. I was deeply moved by the lives of D. MacNeill Parker and John Filipowicz, and met Moe Bowstern and Ed Edmo, whose mythologies soothed something ancient in my soul.
At the Portland Art Museum, I was deeply moved by the work of the Native American artist Rick Bartow who said: “One thing I hold true is that we’re made up as much of what we’ve lost as of what we’ve gained.” His storytelling through identity, traumas of war and loss, exploring the symbolics of animals, archetypes, and spirits, reawakens intuition and belonging to the sacred.
A snowbird road trip brought me back to the desert light of Southern California, where I created new watercolor and acrylic works inspired by a lingering cold and by the vibrancies of the light and landscape. In LA, I also participated in an art workshop led by Dutchess: Artmasté. If you are in the City of Angels, check her out!
THIS SPRING workshops and classes
🧠 NEUROARTS WORKSHOPS:
🌲 Art & Nature Workshop Series at Hoyt Arboretum
March 15 — Spring Equinox: Balance, Symbolism & Renewal: Pressed flowers, symbolism, and awakening!
April 19 — Earth Month Eco-Art: A study in gratitude and reciprocity.
🎨 Online Monthly Creative & Healing Workshops
March 16 — Spring Vision Board: Manifest your higher-self
April 13 — Earth Month Eco-Art: Gratitude & Reciprocity
May 4 — The Feminine Inside – Celebrating Beltane & Motherhood
🇫🇷 FRENCH CLASSES: Résidence at l’École Buissonnière in Portland
☕️ Café littéraire: Monthly French Conversation Classes : First Sunday of March, April, & May 2026
🎨 Carnets de Voyage: A 6-week program blending French language, culture, & art from April 8th to May 13th
Spots are limited – Calendar & tickets
et enfin…
I hope you enjoy Spring’s fresh bounty: maple sap, nettle soup, dandelion salads. This is the season to gently cleanse the heaviness of Winter and welcome vitality back into the body.
Whether you join one of my workshops or simply wander on your own, honor what makes you unique unapologetically. We are stardust on this extraordinary globe, stirring among billions of stars, fragile and blessed with life.
Do not waste the gift.
Sharpen your vision as we continue becoming who we are meant to be,
season after season.
Open a window.
Listen to a bird.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Smile.
With love & gratitude,
Sincèrement,
Clara-Julia
🌱
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Clara-Julia Peru 