Climate Women
A Gratitude List
“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.”
~Jane Goodall
I haven’t felt much like writing on Substack. I may even transition to a different platform soon, but in the meantime I can feel that uncomfortable itch to put something out. There are too many thoughts and feelings to keep them inside. And let’s be honest, many of them are negative right now, and nobody wants to hear that. So I’m going to focus on something positive that I do need to take some time for, to pause and feel truly proud of myself for my Climate Women series display and closing reception at Lowe Mill over a month ago. Maybe this can be a gratitude list to remind myself of the good stuff and lift my spirits.
Lists seem to work well, so here we go:
(1) Lowe Mill! For existing. For having so many good folks. Kana at Melty Space Case for letting me hang out in her studio and draft early versions of the paintings, and for recommending Pat Keefe Signs for printing the accompanying signs. Pat was so kind and thoughtful in helping me think through the exact dimensions and placement of each sign. Susie Garrett at Studio 126 for helping me hang everything evenly and deciding which order the paintings should be shown. Robert Daniel for selecting the very best display wall in Lowe Mill for my collection! And for generally being so kind and encouraging. I didn’t realize Lowe Mill provided food and drink for the closing reception, but when I asked if we could focus on plant-based and plastic-free options, he made it happen! Chef Will the Palate for providing delicious food and Piper and Leaf for providing delicious tea. Incredible.
(2) To my mom, for copy editing all the signs, meticulously, before printing. Seriously, no error can get past my mom! She is an incredible fact checker. Thank you, mom!
(3) The girl at the printing store who re-printed the posters, on nicer paper, without charging me extra, after I realized there was an error in my design and needed to reprint them. I offered to give her a poster as a thank you, and she said she’d just print one for herself. I saw her again when I went back to print more posters. She remembered, and as a show of solidarity, whispered, “I understand what you’re trying to do; what price do you need?” She gave me a steep discount, and added in free copies that were “errors.” I was seriously blown away.
(4) To all my friends and family who came to town and celebrated with me. This included Sandra Fallon, for making a whole trip out of it with her People’s Climate Solutions pals, and driving down from West Virginia. My favorite star and his crew from Nashville. Michelle Wooten from Starry Skies South, who brought me flowers! My parents and my husband, who helped me set up and clean up. And many others.
(5) Finally, of course, thank you to all the women who agreed to have their portraits displayed. I was absolutely fangirling over receiving communication and kudos from some of the more famous women. WOW. A few even took me up on my offer to send them a poster as a thank you.
This collection has truly helped me feel more in community with climate women activists and others in my life. It has served a purpose, and I don’t think it’s actually over. I’ve actually been painting more climate women, like Jane Goodall! I got the idea to paint Jane Goodall while speaking with Cassie Briggs on her Diverse Routes podcast. I’ve been working on this one since January, slowly, and on a canvas that already had bright paint streaks on it and some holes in it, so I wouldn’t feel pressured to “get it right” or finish at all. But it did come together, actually the same week that Jane Goodall departed this world. Another climate woman who helped us imagine our potential, the “indomitable human spirit.” If you, like me, could use some hope at this time, I recommend her book, The Book of Hope.
Through combined poster sales online and at the reception I was able to raise $140 for the All We Can Save project. Through the sale of posters and other works at my closing reception, I was able to contribute $152 to Lowe Mill (you can, too, if you would like to support the arts, on their donation page).
Thank you for reading “Suspended in a Sunbeam,” where I try to navigate my role as an Earthling at the intersection of astronomy-education-art-climate-science-feminism-nature at this moment - in the Anthropocene, from this place - Rocket City, Alabama, United States. I feel the Universe nudging me toward sharing these thoughts “out loud” with the world, even though the vulnerability can be overwhelming sometimes. Thank you for being on this cosmic journey with me as we try to tie our roots together so we may learn, grow, and hold each other tight.
We had such a wonderful time with you that evening. I was so proud to see so many caring and supportive friends and colleagues that showed up for you. They were such a diverse group of people and yet, like you, they care about taking care of this planet of ours. Gives me hope.
Thank you for all you do to inspire us to make the world a better place for future generations.