If you have any inclination to throw paint on canvas, or to draw, or to color, or to take photos, then try it, and see if creativity lifts your spirits, just a little.
Read your essay. Was so happy to “hear” that voice. What those on Claudia’s SubStack might not know I was a grad student not while Claudia was an English Prof, but when she was a dean in the School of Public Health. I had already been published. I wrote technically. Claudia was the professor who drilled into me the literary concept of voice and authenticity.
Ironically, this guy, studying epidemiology, was a child of two artists. I can’t paint a fence. However, I was a violist. Music is key. As are books - which are nothing more than a different way to paint a picture.
Writing is what gives me energy and while published in some pretty significant spaces, my “science” guy writing is a grind. My personal essays (I know some are dark - that’s life) - story telling is my joy. Claudia for decades has been a supporter of mine. Again, no matter how you slice it, I’m a lucky guy.
I expect to see more of your writing Dr. Ricci. XOXO JDP
We teachers are very fortunate. We are particularly fortunate when we have extraordinary encounters with unbelievably talented and compassionate and loving students — who surpass us in so many ways. This brings me to tears, Josh! Much love, Claudia 💜🙏💚
Thank you for your inspiration! Feeling lost in this upside down world and bracing for it spinning out of control. I will start writing again and maybe get that sketch book out too. Happy and healthy new year to you and your family. FAMILY! let’s focus on that ❤️-our most precious resource.
oh Nadine, thank you so much for your comment. I truly hope you will start writing and find a way to get your heart infused with hope. And yes, focusing on family is so so important. I hope yours is doing well. Maybe instead of the sketchbook you need to try something new visually that is! Let me know how it goes! And may we all be surprised that the new year brings us far more joy than we were expecting.💜🙏💚
Great piece for this New Year's Day! I agree with your sister-in-law. Redirecting our energy away from our disgust and disbelief about the election will not help and takes our power away. Redirecting our energy to art and other good deeds can take our agency back!
You are so right Peg! I’m very grateful that we have our writing group with Nancy every week. It’s amazing how much energy is generated in our conversations about writing and life!🙏💚🙏💜
Great column Claudia! I’m so glad to see you writing & painting again. We all share you’re feelings, and reading what you are feeling & thinking helps us all. Love the art pieces you put in the column too!
My feeling is that our job in these next four years is to persist, and to enjoy life despite you know who. We have to take care of ourselves for the times that we’ll resist his policies. Here’s to a year ahead of joy, good friendship, good art, and good journeys.
Thank so much for writing Alyson! You played a role in this resurrection too and I hope to write about you in a future column on art. I’ve decided that for the time being I am not going to write about politics as you said we have to take care of ourselves and art helps us do that! 💜🙏💚
I threw paint on canvas last night. I, too, felt nudged in the ribs for trying. Something jubilant emerged.
how is it that we are wired so similarly? ayayayay. Noah just left after two weeks here. GEESH. let's talk! HAPPY NEW YEAR DEAR FRIEND!
Read your essay. Was so happy to “hear” that voice. What those on Claudia’s SubStack might not know I was a grad student not while Claudia was an English Prof, but when she was a dean in the School of Public Health. I had already been published. I wrote technically. Claudia was the professor who drilled into me the literary concept of voice and authenticity.
Ironically, this guy, studying epidemiology, was a child of two artists. I can’t paint a fence. However, I was a violist. Music is key. As are books - which are nothing more than a different way to paint a picture.
Writing is what gives me energy and while published in some pretty significant spaces, my “science” guy writing is a grind. My personal essays (I know some are dark - that’s life) - story telling is my joy. Claudia for decades has been a supporter of mine. Again, no matter how you slice it, I’m a lucky guy.
I expect to see more of your writing Dr. Ricci. XOXO JDP
We teachers are very fortunate. We are particularly fortunate when we have extraordinary encounters with unbelievably talented and compassionate and loving students — who surpass us in so many ways. This brings me to tears, Josh! Much love, Claudia 💜🙏💚
Thank you for your inspiration! Feeling lost in this upside down world and bracing for it spinning out of control. I will start writing again and maybe get that sketch book out too. Happy and healthy new year to you and your family. FAMILY! let’s focus on that ❤️-our most precious resource.
oh Nadine, thank you so much for your comment. I truly hope you will start writing and find a way to get your heart infused with hope. And yes, focusing on family is so so important. I hope yours is doing well. Maybe instead of the sketchbook you need to try something new visually that is! Let me know how it goes! And may we all be surprised that the new year brings us far more joy than we were expecting.💜🙏💚
Great piece for this New Year's Day! I agree with your sister-in-law. Redirecting our energy away from our disgust and disbelief about the election will not help and takes our power away. Redirecting our energy to art and other good deeds can take our agency back!
You are so right Peg! I’m very grateful that we have our writing group with Nancy every week. It’s amazing how much energy is generated in our conversations about writing and life!🙏💚🙏💜
Great column Claudia! I’m so glad to see you writing & painting again. We all share you’re feelings, and reading what you are feeling & thinking helps us all. Love the art pieces you put in the column too!
My feeling is that our job in these next four years is to persist, and to enjoy life despite you know who. We have to take care of ourselves for the times that we’ll resist his policies. Here’s to a year ahead of joy, good friendship, good art, and good journeys.
Thank so much for writing Alyson! You played a role in this resurrection too and I hope to write about you in a future column on art. I’ve decided that for the time being I am not going to write about politics as you said we have to take care of ourselves and art helps us do that! 💜🙏💚