Is there anything better than spring?
That season of promise and petals and greens of every shade –
warmth from the highest sun, the smell of earthworms after a rain –
soft rains, warm rains, rains that clear the way for fresh everything !
The garden in the spring is my refuge after a long winter of hibernating, especially this winter – it’s my outdoor studio and inspiration – everyday it reminds me of what’s real and true and miraculous.
I knew that replacing the lawn in the front yard to create a garden instead would be a commitment, however I came to understand that it’s really a relationship, a mutual agreement, time and tending exchanged for beauty and connection. I like to think that my plants are just as happy to see me as I am to see them waking up after their dormancy to find sunshine, warmth, and a grateful gardener to greet them.
It never ceases to amaze me that they show up at all especially after our harsh winters – somehow it motivates me, challenges me to do the same –
show up no matter what, be beautiful and share –
It will be a while yet before I can really get into the garden and begin spring clean up. I’m looking forward to being outside in the sun playing in the dirt, spending time tending to what gives me joy.
Just a quick announcement / good news for those who may not have heard, I was a finalist in an international competition earlier this year.
My video ‘hai’ lights : labyrinth was chosen and is currently showing at
Ki Smith Galley in New York until March 31st.
You can find out more by clicking on the link below. If you find yourself in New York you can book a viewing time, as well as drop by.
Here’s to spring being sprung and all the anticipation and promise that comes with it.
At the start of this new season, this ‘new’ year –
some would argue the ‘true‘ new year – may anxiety be replaced with anticipation,
and uncertainty with the promise of life continuing to show up no matter what.
To all of you that I know and to those that I don’t
thank you for showing up and showing interest.
Grateful
Louise
Okori
03.21.2021
https://www.see.me/art-takes-2021-1
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| You’re invited! |
| Please Join us atKi Smith Gallery Harlem712 West 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027From March 17th to March 31st. Art Takes 2021 features the work of emerging and established artists; it represents the artistic motivation and spiritual rebirth a long hibernation can bring. Join us in celebrating 31 painters, photographers, videographers, and mixed media artists chosen from a highly competitive international field by our esteemed jury panel. Their work explores the painful and hopeful themes of 2020 and 2021 including culture, justice, equity and fantasy. Limited capacity, reservation required -1 hour slots, following Covid-19 protocols. Wear a mask and keep social distancing during the visit. Artists featured: Grand prize, Runners up:OOOPStudio, Jessica Alazraki, Tamary Kudita Finalists:Brit Bunkley, Fan Luo, Hezron Henry, Andrea Alkalay, Ivan Iliev, David Freeman, Patrick Webb, Louise Pagé, Andreas Glikeriou, Alexandra Borovaya-Belilovskaya, Martha Posner, Maria Paula Suarez, Alejandro Borges, Jason Engelbart, Adam D. Watkins Honorable Mention:Jun Kim, David Chalk, Krzysztof Strzelecki, Cynthia Oswald, Emily Roynesdal, Hannah Thomas, Stephen Linsteadt, Aeneas MacRae, Magdalena Vasko, Maryse Ronel, Sergey Savenko, Frank Bayh and Steff Ochs, Ryan Eccleston, Ivan Tkach We may not be out of the woods yet, but the air is fresh and there is new growth underfoot! |
born on the 263 
Congratulations, Louise, for being a finalist in the Ki Gallery competition with your ‘Hai’ Lights labyrinth! I was thrilled to see your video of the labyrinth in a mountainous setting. And I can appreciate all the effort you spent over many weeks creating it. Thanks so much for sharing your artistic expressions both in words and images!
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Thank you. I’m grateful for your appreciation of ‘hai’ lights : labyrinth and the process of making it. I’m always happy and gratified to hear when people connect to the work. It means a lot.
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Fabulous! I agree with your approach to gardening. Have fun! I wish I could go to NYC, but still too risky.
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Thanks Shirley.
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Hi Louise
You are right – nothing quite like spring- It certainly charges my battery! It is a nice reminder every year that life goes on!
Congratulations on being selected as a finalist- a good choice I’d say! Too bad you can’t go to New York.
I hope you are well – we should make a return visit to Dale Hodges park soon and take in the sounds and sights of spring.
Congratulations! Sara
Sent from my iPad
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Thank you Sara. And yes definitely up for a stroll through Dale Hodges 🙂
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Hi Louise, That’s wonderful news about your ‘hai’ lights video is showing in a New York gallery! Congratulations!! I’d love to see it in New York.I love the labyrinth picture and video!! I have tomato seedlings growing in my window waiting for the soil to warm up enough to go out…..getting close. Loved your post and thoughts on spring and the line of replacing anxiety with anticipation and uncertainty with the promise of life showing up no matter what happens. Yes, spring and sunshine in Vancouver definitely brings new promise. Love, Diana
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Thank you Diana for your comments. Much appreciated!
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Greetings, Louise! Happy Spring! And, belated congratulations on your piece being chosen by the NYC gallery. Very exciting for you, just great.
Bye for now and best wishes, Allison.
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Thank you Allison, Happy Spring to you too!
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