Peace At The Lake

Lake Tahoe (Photo by: tina natalini)

Deeper than ponds, surrounded by land, trees and mountains, some are natural and others manmade. Lakes are sources for industry, agriculture, domestic water and recreation. On the recreation side, lakes provide peace and tranquility, especially for those who live far from an ocean. Being near a body of water can mend many stresses and even a broken heart. Nature keeps happening even when we wish the world could stay still until we heal. It forces us to grow with it each time water meets a shoreline and wind blows through trees. Nothing stays the same.

Today, try to visit a body of water to help release tension in the mind and body. Think of water washing over the whole body taking away any stress or sadness. Take as many deep breaths as it takes until there is a sense of calm and contentment.

Nature Walks

Photo by: Sergei Akulich @sakulich

Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku or “forest bathing.” Forest Therapy is known to reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, decreased anxiety, depression and fatigue among many other positive improvements.

Certified Forest Therapy Guide and mental health nurse, Sharon Lohse, created Mindful In Nature offering horticulture therapy using items found in nature to create art along with forest therapy events in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Having participated in one of Sharon’s Forest Therapy events, I have to say that it was a memorable and impactful two and half hours. Sharon shared techniques on experiencing nature in new ways, slowing down, observing details in trees and listening with “deer ears.” The event ended with a tea ceremony and delicious snacks made by Sharon. I think about this day often and how it deepened my experience and time spent in nature. Thank you Sharon for creating this healing event.

Sharon Lohse, creator of Mindful In Nature (This photo is from the Mindful In Nature website)

Nature By Design

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Nature and all of its magical glory simply exists evolving, forming and flowing over time. People mimic and manipulate nature to control a specific environment. There is a balance between allowing nature do its thing and manicuring it to create visual art for human interaction.

Pagodas are commonly found in botanical gardens around the world. Chinese and Japanese padogas differ from those of Thailand, Laos Cambodia and Myanmar which reflect Dravidian architecture originating in south India. Vastu shastra, meaning “science of architecture," is the traditional system of architecture consisting of design, layout, space planning, ground preparation and spatial geometry. Pagodas traditionally have an odd number of floors with very few exceptions.

Enjoy these Pagodas from my past botanical garden visits.

Nature's Design

“Everything is Design.” - Paul Rand

Paul Rand, legendary graphic designer (1914-1996) is famous for creating the logos for IMB, UPS, ABC among many other recognizable logos and layouts over his sixty year career. Rand understood and taught his students the value of looking at the world with a fresh eye, because “everything is design.”

Design is everywhere. Everything we interact with in daily life has been designed by a human or developed naturally way before we came along. Have you ever stared at a butterfly’s wings in awe and wondered how and what created their unique pattern? How about the color gradient of flower petals or how amazing it is that food and medicine grow from the earth? What about the evolution of human shelter and the materials that have been used before engineers, architects and builders streamlined the process? Next time you see a bird’s nest or a beehive, take a minute to observe the structures, patterns and materials that birds and bees use to create their homes. Their instinctive physics and math skills are impressive.

As you’re moving about your life, try to notice the design of each thing you see, touch, use and desire to acknowledge the impact of design.

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I took the above picture of a beautiful encased butterfly that I purchased at a festival in San Diego.

The Barnes Foundation

Photo by: Luis Villasmil @villxsmil

Once upon a time in the quaint area of Merion, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, Albert C Barnes, a doctor who co-created Argyrol, (see definition below) became an avid art collector in 1912. Ten years later, Dr. Barnes established an educational institute focusing on fine art and arboriculture that would become the start a cherished legacy.

Fast forward past a ton of drama to today with an amassed collection of 4,000 pieces and an estimated worth of $25 billion and an open door policy that violates the last wishes of Dr. Barnes. Phew, it is quite an interesting story with a lot of twists and turns. The best way to understand and appreciate the history of Dr. Barnes’ journey is to watch the documentary “The Art of the Steal.” Definitely watch this before visiting The Barnes Foundation. Without going into all of the long details of the story, I will say that Dr. Barnes’ art collection created controversy throughout the established art world. On multiple occasions he submitted his collections to be displayed at prominent art museums around the world and was met with mass rejection. Dr. Barnes was later credited with introducing the works of the great, Henri Mattise, Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani to America. Rejection was followed by the word, “obscene,” used to describe his collections as critics tarnished his taste in art curation.

Dr. Barnes welcomed the everyday person with a passion for art and nature to attend his school and view his collections. Teachers, parents, plumbers, students and first responders were members of the Barnes Foundation. Art critics, museum executives and reporters were not permitted access to the original Barnes Foundation.

A sense of dread came over me when I found out that The Barnes Foundation was moving to the Parkway in Philadelphia. I had already watched the documentary “The Art of the Steal,” so I understood how Dr. Barnes did not want the established art world—especially Philadelphia and New York—to get their hands on the very works they rejected so long ago.

After a tough inner battle, I decided to visit The Barnes Foundation in its new home. I will say that I was relieved to know that the museum placed each and every piece in the exact location as it was in the original Barnes Foundation. As I wandered the brilliantly curated rooms, I realized that had I lived in those early days of the Barnes Foundation, I would have been invited to attend classes and enjoy the collections as an art lover. This was the only thought that could ease my guilty conscience for violating a respected man’s last wishes. I then decided to feel gratitude for Dr. Barnes creative intuition and I thanked him (silently) throughout my tour.

While standing still and studying each piece, I had the urge to pan around the room. There was a common thread or similarity throughout each room while the paintings and artifacts were from differing time periods and countries—they all spoke the same language. I have never felt that in all of my museum going years. I could almost hear the creations chatting amongst themselves.

The Barnes Foundation is a perfect example of irony at its best with a once obscene and offensive curation becoming a treasured collection. I highly recommend taking a tour of this perfectly curated collection of art.

The long made point of this entire story is to trust in your own instincts and attempt curating your own collections that speak to you and the story of your adventures. Move art around until it makes you feel like it’s alive and communicating all around you.

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Argyrol is an antiseptic compound to protect newborns from contracting venereal diseases at birth.