Deeply arted 🖍️
Friends,
Rain has passed over New York City, and the sun is peeking out of the clouds as I write to you, sinking deeper into the horizon. Two cardinals hop around, zig zagging from branch to branch, and this makes me smile. Little moments of joy.
Early this morning we experienced a full moon. 🌝 With another cycle complete, I would like to share some joyful things from this month. First, I launched my first bundle of plantable postcards at Snoring Snail! (If you’d like to see what they look like or purchase one, please take a look here! The preorder will close this Sunday evening.) My plan is to take this business to Portugal, where I will provide more offerings, from notebooks to prints to mini workshops.
Second, I have been drawing and drawing! I made a promise at the end of 2020 that I would draw and share my work every day starting 1/1/21. With the help of my characters Foofus and Quick Silver the snail, I am processing the journey of life in this universe through comics. I feel as though I am gently pulling observations, lessons, and understandings that are swimming in my soul and releasing them into the worldwide web to have loving, real conversations with fellow human beings. In March, I will start brainstorming to compile these comics into a book. I think they have the power to help many people experiencing pain and fear. You can check out my daily illustrations here.
For most of my life, I thought that leaning into my artistic practise was “not allowed” or "just a thing I do on the side." Now that I have finally taken the plunge to express my self as an artist, I understand why it is so important that I create a space in Portugal for myself and fellow artists. Our artist residency does not need to be luxurious or large, but I hope to make it inviting and open-minded. An artist can be a biologist, a chef, a mycology enthusiast, a writer… anyone with an exciting idea who wants the time and space to think and be. I see our artist residency being a small, fun “laboratory” in the countryside that allows artists to expand their minds and reach for the stars. 🌟
As for the actual move to Portugal, I am looking at 2022. Our lease for our cosy and lovely home in Queens will expire in autumn of 2022, and it seems like I have some unfinished business to take care of in New York and the United States. We’ll continue doing our research for the move this year, and I can imagine getting started with the visa process early next year. Most importantly, I will keep listening and looking out for signs!
Much love from the cardinals and me,
Haruka
✨February soul spark✨One of my favourite pieces of music is "Children's Album" by Aram Khachaturian, an Armenian composer. Through the music, we follow a young boy named Ivan. This version was played in 1972 by Şahan Arzruni.