Welcome

What is an Artist? Can I call myself one?  

—You are what you choose to bring into this world. 

Yes, but I know many artists— of one kind or another. I think of them as being fully human. They have worked passionately to bring meaningful work into the world. How can I compare myself to them? 

—I sense a struggle inside you relating to the authority of your will. 

I have struggled to say that I am a painter, because I am not just a painter, am I?

—No, you are a maker, and you follow this road without an end. You go where you are called to go and sometimes there is no rest for you. You create and teach and animate the inspiration that is gifted to you. You feel and you write. At last, you dream of a world without end.

Is that what an artist does?

—Yes 
 
Ben Marder
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Off The Wall @ River Gallery School.

I work at the River Gallery School in Brattleboro, VT. To raise money for the school, many artists donate paintings for a lottery where every participant wins a work of art. There are many impressive paintings, and it is a no-brainer for only a $125 ticket. See the link below for more information.

Spirit Of Three

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Our Wonder

Poetry by Ben Marder

Over the surface, we wander
along the river where forgotten leaves rest in dark pools
now stuck on the shoreline. 
It occurs to us that this may be an unpleasant reality. 
Yet here a bird is content by the base of this bush,
feet in the dark mud.
He is a child of this sullen stream. 
I notice the bird has a light tied to his legs and the making of it all.
Beyond the banks, colors rise. 
I catch myself moving along the eddies
wondering about these complexities.
How a bird's thoughts can feel
like goosebumps on a child's tender skin. 
The eyes beyond his beak, 
flicker with dark leaps. 
It has gained the insight of 
how to let go of the dark corners of the earth, 
for we are not the keepers or makers of it all.
From all directions, life speaks
not weighed out in the rights or the wrongs
but simply brought to the surface.
A light on a boat passes by our noticing.
The sky settles into the earthen clay of brick homes,
and we wonder about who lives there.
All along the banks, we hold onto our wonder.

© Ben Marder

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Spirit Bowers: A Celebration of Spring

A Spirit Bower is a home for a spirit. 
In spring, we observe that everything is changing. 
Mother earth is growing, and therefore, 
we can see the multitude of spirits in action. 

Making a spirit bower is a great way to tune into nature. 
Place a Spirit Bower somewhere on your walk or
in your garden.
This place is a small home filled with light. 
Return to it later in the season and
notice everything in and around it has changed. 

Make Spirit Bowers with your family to celebrate spring,
and bring your noticing to the natural world.

~~~
Sign up for my mailing list to receive an illustrated pdf on how to make a Spirit Bower. Or otherwise simply contact me and I will send it to you.   
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Little Eddaling

Mother Earth holds a baby Eddaling seed.
An Eddaling is a creature that harmonizes with Nature. So the Stars suggest that Mother Earth bring an Eddaling into the World. Sojess is born into a seedpod on a tree and is not from this Earth. Little Eddaling is a coming of age story with a message about living in harmony with our planet.
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