January 2021 Moodboard + Playlist
January,
Everything is illuminated
This month I have been thinking a lot about how endings are beginnings and vice versa. The cyclical nature of life is constantly propelling us around and around to which point it is difficult to differentiate where we began from where we will end up.
On the new moon, my grandfather took his last breath. I was fortunate enough to spend some of his final hours holding his hand and listening to little snippets of his dreams escape from his mouth. He mentioned a glimmering place and butterflies. I hope that wherever he ended up was as beautiful as he described.
Intentions This Month:
After witnessing such a profound event, I began thinking about the liminal space in which he occupied in those last couple of days and how that space relates to creativity, our dreams, and how we relate to the world in our waking life. Sometimes knowing the difference between "reality" and the spaces between is difficult so I have decided to embrace these blurry places, the liminal mind spaces, and the shadow parts of myself and use them to explore creativity in a more free way.
I don't know exactly what this will look like at this juncture but if you are interested in the thought and would like to collaborate, please reach out. I am hoping to spend 2021 less alone, collaborating on projects with other creatives, learning new modes of practice, expanding my mind, and romancing my shadows with deep enthusiasm so that I can visually express what I can never seem to put into words.
Although I was incredibly disappointed by the Pantone Colors of the Year selection this year (Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow), I found them to be incredibly relevant to this concept of ouroboros (cyclical infinity). The grey represents the shadows and where we emerge from and the yellow represents the glimmers of hope and the light that draws us forward!
Tarot Pull:
From the Animal Spirit Deck: the Starfish: can feel gossipy or out of touch with deeper meaning if focusing on others all the time → find positive friends and projects to dive into.
Favorite Things This Month:
I am always in awe of the self-portraits this artist from New York takes. I feel like she and I both have an affinity for flowy fabrics and romanticism. She inspires me to pull my camera back out and practice what I preach.
This ceramic studio is making tactile cases for your technology. I love anything with a pleasing texture and if you have heirloom trinkets that you don't know what to do with, you can send them in to have made into your own custom case! Beautiful recycling is the best kind!
This is the scent that has been grounding and uplifting me lately. I can't decide if it would be too excessive to have the same candle, body wash, body oil, and lotion.
This ginger, sweet potato, and coconut stew look like the exact bowl of comfort food I want to dive into right now. All of the recipes from Laura's blog and cookbook are incredible.
This Month’s Playlist is Illuminating the Shadows:
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