Category: Art

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As the Earth Turns…

Earth Day was first held when I was a high school student in 1970. I remember well the photos of the earth taken from the moon for the first time. A new perspective of the world in which we lived! The image allowed us to see the beauty and vastness of the blue oceans, the snowy white clouds floating around parts of the globe, and how interrelated the nations of the earth really are…

I created this piece when studying human-environmental systems. Its message is that even with the differences between people, such as gender, ethnicity, and culture, there are also needs we all hold in common–such as respect, safety, opportunities, and good food and water.

Human Complexity: A Common Thread, (c) 2003 Joni Beach
Human Complexity: A Common Thread, (c) 2003, Joni Beach.

Many years have passed but Earth Day (April 22) is still observed by many. The new view of the earth encouraged people to respect nature and understand our dependency on the resources provided by our natural environment.  In the 1970’s, the discipline of Human Ecology—the study of the interrelationship of people and the environments in which they live–was established in some universities. So while many people’s understanding of the world changed or expanded, others’ did not. They continue to live in a more detached way from the earth around them.

I can only believe that a broader perspective and understanding of our Earth has served to raise important questions and prompt us to seek new knowledge…

An awareness of our interdependence hopefully helps us live on the planet in a responsible manner…

to preserve it for future generations…

as the Earth turns.

~~~~~~~

*How do you view our Earth? What do you think about the natural environment and how to use its resources in a mindful way?

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In the Studio…& In Life~~Curing Spring Fever

I have had spring fever and very little has been accomplished in the studio!…Not that I have done nothing at all, because I have been gathering and thinking about new ideas–the incubation stage of the creative process.

North Carolina Azaleas, (c) 2012, Joni Beach.
North Carolina Azaleas, © 2012, Joni Beach.

While creative activities such as writing, painting, or quilting need this time, for me there can be a fine line between this stage and procrastination. I have a tendency to generate many ideas without moving on to the next steps of a) selecting one or two ideas, b) experimenting with new designs, techniques, and materials, in order to gradually follow through to c) a final design or piece of art.

As in art, in life we can do the same–think about ideas, research possibilities, and make lists but have trouble taking the next step of trying out one or two options. Our hesitation may be due to a busy schedule, low energy, or fear of past failures. Finding the right timing or motivation can prove to be a challenge. When creating art or writing, I may first put on music, grind coffee beans to make a pot of coffee, and find a comfortable spot. The rhythm and routine of these small actions move me forward…toward the task.

Perhaps in life, we also need some small steps of activity to bring us out of being in limbo. Finding the things which work for you as a unique individual can take some time,

But surely there has got to be a cure for this spring fever!  🙂

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Rural Art~~Making Something Out of Nothing

A trip to the countryside can yield many rural art objects. These are visual delights, made from whatever is around…such as old tools, wood, flowers, or rocks. It is an informal process of taking ordinary items and giving them a new purpose or meaning.

Spring Blossoms and a Rusty Pump, (c)2012 Joni Beach.
Spring Blossoms & a Rusty Pump, (c)2012, Joni Beach.

Spring flowers + a rusty old pump…

Where's The Herbs?, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
Where's The Herbs?, (c)2012, Joni Beach.

A piece of wood with scratched on letters–on a fence…

Tree Limb Bench, (c)2012, Joni Beach.
Tree Limb Bench & Twig Basket, (c)2012, Joni Beach.

Limbs from a tree nailed together and twigs woven into a basket… And, scraps of wood, bolts, rod, and paint mounted on a post.

Flying With The Wind, (c)2012 Joni Beach.
Flying With The Wind, (c)2012, Joni Beach.

How many times in our lives and families are we required to do the same? Take what we have on hand…certain resources, opportunities, or situations…and improvise and adapt responses and ways of living to meet a challenge? For example, when a person’s dreams and job goals do not develop exactly as planned after school, a person may find creative ways to make a living, earn income, or begin a business. Or, when a loved one develops a chronic illness, families find new ways to meet the normal daily schedule, while at the same time adjusting to a “new normal”.

In life, as in rural art, creative solutions require improvising, adapting, and designing novel outcomes…

Out of seemingly ordinary things.

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