Going for a walk gave insight, and check this out now

Yesterday I went for a walk in the beach next to my house, we have a crowded vegetation growing very close to the water. And because it is Provence there is this clear golden magical light, especially in spring time.

At some point the magical light shined through the bushes showing a path between them, like in a romantic set up, flowers on the sides, trees reclining over, the water in the horizon. Wow, i was impressed. As I came closer and started to walk the path I realised that after 10 meters it was blocked with bamboo and other plants I wish I could name. but you get the picture.

It hit me, wow, no one walked here for so long (because of covid) the path is gone. so simple. If you walk a path it exist, if you stop taking it, its gone. That simple example gave me permission to build up the official site for the new path I’m taking : A print shop of photo based digital drawings.

Narrative. In a global fight over the narrative raging in the world right now I wanted to walk the path of the things I hold dear. As my lifestyle, as a mother, as a home maker. as a human being, as what I wish for my children’s children to have available in their world.

Looking at what other humans are doing right now in the world with science, technology and politics, Im going local, personal and natural. That is how I react to what others are doing. I focus on what I do. It helps.

So I warn you, flowers, kids, boats and other magical set ups is what im in for right now. I know its a change, but life changes all the time and change is banana, we established that before.

Click the picture to see this new body of work Im working on.

It is available as prints here

https://gatyifat.visualsociety.com/

https://gatyifat.visualsociety.com/

I hope you guys are well.

I just wanted to say I love this space here, I love that you write back, I love the direct human contact. This is becoming my favourite exhibition space…

Take care

Yifat

Check it out





Breathing exercises

I was listening to the iceman advice about breathing exercises.

I found it to be so effective and so much fun that i wanted to bring it to the studio.

It came out to be a great repetition and variation game.

Here is how:

  • Breathing 5 seconds in and 5 seconds out, while drawing a line.

  • Repeat the breathing 10 to 15 times per paper.

  • Only change the direction of the line when switching from inhale to exhale.

This is simple and fun. few days in I feel the effect on my breathing

Its good for you, I hope you try it over the weekend !

Take care

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I draw. You draw. They draw. We all draw.

Drawing is returning back to basics, like a reset button. It is a way to return to the intimate world of childhood, thoughts, ideas and emotions. In an overwhelming and complicated world, Drawing is a moment of simplicity. Outrageous or refined, funny or heartbreaking, drawing is the Netflix of our soul without subscription fees.

A drawing practice can bring moments of magic, freedom and humanity. It can help recharge, meditate, research, plan, remember, empower, communicate, celebrate and inspire. 

Anyone can draw. There is no failure in drawing. Drawing is a personal act. A practice, like taking a shower, everyday we need a new one.

Drawing is a safe place. No one hacks our notebooks or sells our data. There is no hidden agenda. Our notebooks never run out of battery and we don't need 1000 euros to get a new one. Drawing is a timeless moment between you, yourself, other people and the universe. It’s yours.

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Work

Its been a while since I looked at sister corita’s . sometimes I miss her and I go back for advice. she never fails. here is rule seven out of the famous list she made for her students, that later became the LA art campus list, than populated by John Cage and known for being hanged at Merce Cunningham studio.

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Nuance

In his conversation with Jordan Peterson, Russell Brand mentioned this sentence by Albert Maysles, a film director.

It reminded me of the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 2009 Ted talk : The danger of a single story

I see allot of this binary thinking going around. As if we are bundles of yes and no. Feels like there is an hierarchy of tag line over the conversational structure. Which in his turn is the answer to all the problems because proper conversation can include multitudes of legit narratives, where dominance structure wants one line story with a note. same as school notes.

Fast forward to today’s paranoia. Isn’t that what scares us about being chipped? to be reduced to a list of facts, nuanceless…

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Don't push

Petra from Barcelona asked me to share some of my unschooling experience that may be useful for Corona time. My kids are bigger now, 13-23 years old, but my process has been the same over the years and Im happy with the results so Im willing to share.

Obviously these are unusual times so zoom it or put a mask on it but the big picture should be the same :

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0-7 years old: focus on welcoming the child to the world. Making the beginning of a kid’s life as happy as possible is simple common sense. Children grow up to be independent adults out of being cuddled and supported. Having an independent child is just the best long term investment a parent can make, so allow yourself to be egoistic and enjoy these magical years with lots of quality time: Joy, playfulness, imagination, taking time to explore and wonder, hugs, reassurance, making a mess, story-telling, “comfy time”, spending energy, kitchen experiments, costume corner, living-room parties, popcorn movie-nights, family sleepovers, etc.

7-14 years old: Establish a weekly system with personal projects, exterior activities, and social life. it’s time to start fixing some kind of a curriculum. Based entirely on your kids talent and curiosity, within reason and budget of course. There is no logic in dictating content - instead, focus on providing tools. The more your kids are in love with the subject matter, the better they will apply themselves. That simple. Trust your child. This approach creates a learning mechanism within them that can later be applied to the ever-changing needs of their future lives.

14-21 years old: look for ways to professionalise the child’s main interests, to enhance various life skills, and open an honest conversation about sexuality and relationships.

Overall, within this loose yet fixed grid, children find their way and become happy, independent adults around the age of 21; some sooner, some later. 

This is a very brief explanation of our Unschooling process, I hope it makes sense to the parents amongst you, and thank you again Petra for asking.

The image above is from “Don’t Push - 10 Lessons from Giving 5 Births”, a self-published Blurb book I am currently working on.

Tracing is fun; it turned out to be my main activity during this confinement time, using Wacom Stylus and Adobe PhotoShop.

What are you working on?