The loving kind
It’s spring, let’s get sappy
A small meander
I skipped my last update to attend my friends’ tiny, ticker-warming backyard wedding. It was a humble and heartfelt affair with thoughtful vows, borrowed finery, and a handful of guests all going gooey and weepish over the rapturous glances of the betrothed.
On the bus over, I handed a man a cupcake from the box balanced in my lap. Exiting the bus, I cawed up to the power line perchers and tossed peanuts from my pockets. On the short walk to the house, I thought about how patient and generous my friends are with each other, how getting to celebrate them means getting to fling that big feeling out like confetti in every direction, how infectious and abundant love can be.
Since then the spring is SPRUNG (“burnt butts burst[ing] to unctuous essence”* and all that) and I want to find ways to make each day a mini love party (it sure does feel easier when the sun is shining and the news is turned off though, don’t it?) Below are a few options to consider:
Good Goodbyes
When Travis and I first moved in together I insisted on Good Goodbyes. I’ve always been a little funny about goodbyes. Well into my teens I would run from anywhere in the house to hug my mom before she walked out the door (and whisper secret spells of safekeeping to the click of the latch). My dad traveled often and I had many elaborate rituals to preserve and protect my dear ones: saying special words, balancing on the railing the whole length of the bridge, not stepping on sidewalk cracks, carrying around talismans and etc…a soothing and exhausting litany. I was haunted by the idea that the last words I said to someone would be careless or unkind (to be fair it did feel like all 90s movies had some little jerk yelling at their long-suffering parent just before THE ACCIDENT). Though the habit emerged from childhood paranoia, the blown kisses, the turning back, the sticky notes on the cooling coffee pot, anll anchor my days in sweetness.
Crow Seduction
The unsalted peanuts in the shell that I buy in blue 2-lb “family-size” bags spill from my every pack and jacket. They are part of THE PLAN. I want all the crows to count me a friend and, by gum, I shall seduce them one flung nut at a time. Making small offerings to the wild creatures makes me feel myself a part of my little urban ecosystem. Anticipating closer swoops and funny peg-leg hops, now I walk with ears a-prick for croaks and flutters, eyes scanning for the shadow of wings. The world gets bigger and smaller at the same time: more detailed, more intimate and impersonal.
Some Songs
Mix tapes may be over but playlists abound! Some song medleys made while contemplating my cherished ones, ideal for early morning kitchen dances.
Art in the wild
Mostly I’ve been teaching (mask making, teen art studios), class planning (graphic memoir and character design), and starting innumerable books (all of which I have yet to finish). It’s a time of fresh shoots and budding possibilities, applying for things, eyeing new angles and avenues of being and making.
The Real Change Vendor Portrait Project (now in its 10th year!) pairs Real Change vendors with artists to create an art show celebrating the faces and stories of the folks you buy papers from each week. Drop by the opening reception at Seattle Central Library on Thursday April 25th from 5-7PM. Exhibit runs from April 12 to June 16 (2024)
I have an illustration in the forthcoming bird-themed issue of Seattle’s free comix newspaper SCARFFF. There should be lots of yuk yuks and plenty of local creatives represented so keep an eye peeled and grab yourself a copy! Available at most book shops and comics events ‘round here, speaking of arty events…
Seattle Art Book Fair
Very much looking forward to catching ANEMONE, Gelkhet, Paper Press Punch, Zine Hug, and many more amazing exhibitors at Washington Hall May 11-12 for the Seattle Art Book Fair (←click for more info and a full list of participants!)
*Boris Pasternak from “Spring” in the collection Second Nature translated by Andre Navrozov
I’m always excited to hear your thoughts! Feel free to respond to this email or pop into the comments section with your favorite loving rituals
Wishing you a fiesta of daily affections,
Lara