Hello everybody, and welcome Spring! I can feel it in the grass I walk on and hear it from the birds in the air. The mockingbirds are back! This is the season of renewal, of rebirth, of regrowth, of releasing the difficulties of the past and joyously embracing the wonderful vibrant new present. I have so enjoyed being Artist-in-Residence for SRA; it’s a life dream come true.
The cover illustration I created for this issue represents a wonderful practice in England which is now making its way across the pond to America – “No Mow May.” Not mowing your lawn for a month (or more) can allow it to propagate with the natural wildflowers and plants of the area, increasing the habitat for bees and other pollinators. As mentioned on beecityusa.org, this is of particular use and import in urban areas such as the San Francisco Bay Area where I live. A laudable practice any month of the year!
My cover picture also includes a garden labyrinth, representing “Spiraling to the Center.” My meditation and Reiki practices keep me grounded and focused in the present. And also focused on my immediate sphere of influence, my close community of friends, family, and yes, dare I say it, a few dear friends I have only met on Facebook. To all of these, and to everyone I contact, I strive daily to be a positive influence and to share beauty and truth, as best I can. Meditation, grounding, and time spent in Nature are my tools for this. I wish you all the same.
Blessed be,
Margaret
Margaret Davis, SRA Artist in Residence, is a professional artist, calligrapher, singer, harper, flutist, and recorder-player. She exhibits her mythic artworks combining painting and calligraphy frequently in shows throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and she also creates commissions for an international clientele. Margaret is one of the founders of Celtic rock band Avalon Rising, leader of Celtic/Early Music ensemble Brocelïande, and half of Celtic duo Margaret & Kristoph. She also works as a therapeutic harper with Oakland-based Healing Muses, providing high-quality live harp music to support patient care in care centers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Margaretdavisart.com and flowinglass.com/margaret-davis