break open
a limited edition series of 100 original works
this series is a response to the pandemic, to the world ignited and up in flames in so many unanticipated and unimaginable affecting our daily well-being ways. this series is a recognition of our hearts and spirits in panic and dread, of our nervous systems in fight, flight, freeze, overwhelm, anxiety, adjusting to the continued challenge of being with the increasing loss and grief and unfolding unknown. this series is a play on the image we’ve all seen of the fire extinguisher or the axe that says, “in case of emergency break glass.” we are in a state of emergency now, aren’t we? some of us more adapted to it and settled than others. some of us more in need of the tools behind the glass. so, this show is in recognition of all that, an invitation to being with what vulnerable and real parts of you want to be seen, held, broken open in the way jack hirshman means when he says “broken heartedness is the beginning of all real reception,” or what leonard cohen says about the cracks being where the light gets in, or what the buddhists know about remaining heart-mind open in the face of everything as a means of coming to peace inside oneself and with the world around.
hear me talk about my work on kqed
see the preposterous magic that is my life
that time i was in a documentary with tom hanks
“Your poetry is emotive, stirring, and brilliant in its sharp capturing of what you have observed. You’ve found a way to directly engage people and affect their lives. That is the power of art, and you are living it. The world needs more of this.”
“A friend has been giving me your work as a gift for a few years now—the most precious gifts I own.”
“It was a moment of unmeasurable joy to meet you and experience your love of language. I personally felt your love for others in your words for my children. You’re a beautiful human inside and out. Thank you is not enough. ”
