For me flow state goes beyond focus to inspiration. It’s a place in which experiences and ideas braid together. Inspiration leading to more inspiration in my river of creativity.

When I arrived at UCLA as a freshman fine arts major I already had a lot of technical skill. I’d been taking art lessons since I was five years old and because I could do accurate drawings from a live model or a still life or a photograph I was what you might call “artistic.”

I imagine I was not his most devoted student, as I was mostly interested in being good, not great, at the flute, but I remember those lessons fondly. And I loved being in the band.

Last Monday, Mary and I had a movie date, and even though the world is so incredibly heavy lately, and Monday was a grief anniversary for me, I said yes to seeing a movie that I knew would bring on the tears.

I’ve never been one for setting New Year’s resolutions.

A few months ago, Mary and I were looking for a new one to distract us from the horror that is reality, I mean rising fascism, in our country.

A wind phone is an altar. It's an art installation. It's a spiritual portal, a shrine and a memorial.

I rarely have anxiety during the day. For whatever reason, when the sun is out, anxiety stays away for me. Is it the same for you?

I've been feeling saturated like a sponge that's holding, holding, holding all the water and can't seem to let it go.

How do we hold the emotions that underlie them simultaneously?

I would not be the person I am without the challenges I have faced.

It's a little risky to mess with a cultural belief system.

And that's what I'm doing when I tell you this truth

In these difficult times you may be feeling a little shy to shine. To be as bright as you can be.

For years, I tried to squeeze my work into small pockets of time—an hour here, a couple of hours there. I’d start an email, dive into a project, and then—poof—I’d have to stop because life called.

By making time for creative play—whether daily, weekly, or whenever it fits—you’re committing to yourself. You’re making space for joy, exploration, and self-expression. And that commitment? That’s gold.

I had no idea that Chico--this little cow and college town amidst miles of nut orchards and rice fields, in norrrrrrthern California--was where I would manifest so many dreams, find my people, find my footing, and be happy in every nook and cranny of my life.

You may have heard of abstract, impressionist, expressionist, pop, and surrealist. Those are styles, movements or schools of art (often taught in art history classes).

In my line of work I meet a lot of people who believe that they are not creative.