The Maid, Heligan Gardens
On this Earth Day I am thinking of the many inspiring artists and healers who work with the Earth. In 2016 on a trip to England, I visited the Heligan Gardens simply because I wanted to see the Mud Maid in person. Her restful body half in the earth and half out, and covered in greenery was something I deeply needed to experience.
One of my favorite artists, Ana Mendieta made work in connection to the Earth. I just love this image of her body, with flowers seeming to emerge from all parts of her.
Ana Mendieta
Imagen de Yagul, from the series Silueta Works in Mexico 1973-1977, 1973
Another inspiring artist who works with the Earth is Andy Goldsworthy. The relationship to impermanence, beauty and symbiosis (amongst other qualities) in his work is so inspiring to me.
Andy Goldwworthy Woven Branch Circular Arch, Dumfrieshire, 1986
If you are like me, you have this need for connection with the Earth too. We are the only species living on Earth that has to work at this relationship. Art is a wonderful way to return to our roots, to the inner knowing of our belonging and connection to Earth. Some ways to connect to the Earth through art making are:
Use natural pigments to paint with or dye fabric with. You can likely find what you need in your fridge already.
Make a nature mandala. If you look online you will be bombarded with beautiful circles filled with colorful earth gifts. Find a place you feel drawn to spend some time. Collect some items such as rocks, branches, leaves, berries, etc. and make your own mandala. A mandala is a piece of art that serves as a meditation. The act of making it and also experiencing it, is part of the meditation.
Lay your body on the earth. Have someone take your photo. Find other ways to connect your body to the Earth. Document the process.
Keep a Commonplace Book to document the nature that is in your immediate environment. A commonplace book is a journal that is dedicated to a topic that inspires you. In your commonplace journal you can sketch the plants, birds, and other nature through the seasons. You can take notes of things you witness nature doing. You can also collect research on the flora and fauna in your environment and include that in your journal. There are several blue bird boxes on our property. The previous owner kept notes of their activities and gave us these notes. It feels like treasure having these. I remember my grandma had a little rain guage that was attached to her clothing line. She kept a hand written record of the rainfall. Handwritten records of what you saw in nature are their own work of art.