Good Fortune for Nature

Fierce Chickadees

I'm working on a series called "Good Fortune for Nature", that visually articulates my deep yearnings for the earth, and for all of us.  

Wendell Berry said, "There is in fact no distinction between the fate of the land and the fate of the people. When one is abused the other suffers." 

My wishes for good fortune focus first on the smallest butterfly and bee, but spread to include us all: I hope that my grandsons will see butterflies in their gardens throughout their lives, and that bees will survive to pollinate their food.

Agenda:

1. Daily moment for Earth Unity

2. Read Nature's Best Hope

3. Set parameters

4. Write good fortunes

5. Creative visualization

1. Daily Moment for Earth Unity:

This weekend I was watering the native wildflower garden, (which still has plenty of exotics, roses, and flowering bulbs, as well); as I quietly watched to adjust the sprinkler force, a hummingbird swooped in to drink from a crocosmia flower, just inches from me. He took a long, slow drink from two flowers then swooped off again.

In that moment I felt unity and joy, and today I will celebrate that moment by planting more crocosmia in a patch among my roses.

I will continue to watch for daily moments such as this one, and find quiet ways to celebrate them.

2. Read Nature's Best Hope:

I've been reading Nature's Best Hope by Douglas Tallamy, with others in my Interfaith Earthkeepers group.

This book's theme is that we can no longer assume that nature "out there" somewhere is taking care of the wildlife. We need to turn our urban and suburban areas into habitat, starting with native pollinator gardens. Imagine a pollinator-friendly neighborhood, with native plants in bloom through as much of the growing season as possible, from one yard, patio, front porch to another! Imagine birds, bees, and butterflies welcomed back to our cities! Tallamy calls it a “Homegrown National Park”.

Chapter 11, the final chapter, has a helpful summary –  What Each of Us Can Do –  with a list of ten things to do in our own yards to help create a Homegrown National Park and give nature hope.

1. Shrink our lawns to wide paths and "area rugs".

2. Remove invasive species that have a habit of spreading to natural areas.

3. Plant native keystone trees and plants (see native plant finder).

4. Plant generously, both upper and understory plants.

5. Plant what specialist bees need -  perennial sunflowers, asters, goldenrod, native willows, and blueberries.

6. Network with neighbors to increase the area of a particular conservation effort.

7. Protect wildlife with hardscape such as window-well covers, motion sensor lights, water features, and bee hotels.

8. Create caterpillar pupation sites under trees, with ground cover, leaf litter, and a decaying log. 

9. Do not spray pesticides and do not fertilize.

10. Educate your neighbors, your town, and lobby your HOA to change landscape regulations.

3. Set parameters:

The Light, In process...

My summer art goal is to explore and experiment with mixed media, using watercolor and collage, to create abstract pieces on the theme: Good Fortune for Nature. My Good Fortune for Nature series has this framework: 

–Small pieces on paper, mounted on board to hang

--Express an aspect of nature, and my heartfelt wishes for good fortune

--Counter the human tendency to selfishly co-opt nature symbolism to feel good about ourselves
–Abstract, collage, watercolor and other water-based media
–Collage items: Fortunes, appropriate stamped symbols, essential images, and objects from nature (sticks, leaves, shells...)

--Lots of detail to catch the eye

So, my plan of action is: 

1. Define and visualize - Think of a subject in nature such as chickadees, and visualize the essence of chickadees. Research chickadee needs and symbolism. 
2. Define color palette. Prepare two backings with watercolor using brush, brayer, and squeegee (in layers) and flatten.
3. Choose and create key images: Print fortunes; stamp symbols and characters; create other key images and paint them; collect collage materials - memorabilia, photos, nature images and objects, text, and handmade collage papers.  
4. Design the spaces - where will key images go? Focal point? 
5. Refine and layer - Apply a patchwork of papers over the underpainting, covering no more than half the canvas. Add many details 
6. Finish and seal.

4. Write Fortunes:

I've enjoyed finding and honing the words for my wishes so that they could fit into a fortune cookie. Some examples:

All thanks for the light of the sun that flows through nature to become food for me.

May we return the life-giving gift of light-energy with our loving care of the earth.

I seek unity with a fierce banditry of chickadees, my beloved neighbors.

May you find an abundance of fat caterpillars to feed your nestlings.

A butterfly is the epitome of transformative power.

May a million butterflies find haven in my garden.

5. Creative visualization:

Creative visualization is a technique that uses my imagination to create change. I often use it to help bring my goals into fruition, and today I want to tap it to gain see my next painting - Good Fortune for Forests.

I'm going to sit outside to practice these three steps:

• First, center and relax each part of my body; count from 10 to 1, then open a connection to Spirit. Feel a soft warmth begin to grow and spread through me, until I am radiating quiet energy.
• Second, create a clear, detailed picture in my mind, as though the objective has been reached. Paint a vivid mental image of exactly how my Forest piece will look and listen for the messages I can express - and put as much positive energy into this picture as possible. 
• Lastly, affirm that this is what I want with a short positive phrase in the present tense: "My message of Good Fortune for Forests is catching the minds and hearts of those who need to see it." 

The thought-image is like a signal-flare that guides the physical thing or deed to manifest in my life (or it's just a good way to keep my intentions in my mind). I will carry the vision of the completed goal with me, and focus on it often during the day, in a gentle manner.