Interview with Nicole Ruggiero

Nicole Ruggiero in her New York home studio.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Nicole Ruggiero, a 3D artist based in New York. Nicole's work, inspired by video games and the internet, explores the intersection of technology and culture. During our conversation, Nicole discusses her journey into digital art, emphasizing the role of online forums in shaping her early experiences. We also explore her recent projects, including an animated series called Wish ‘N Wash, set in a late/post-capitalist society. Nicole shares her insights on the evolving role of digital and 3D art, noting a shift towards exploring nostalgia in various forms.

Click on this image for more information and to register.

Nicole and I are teaming up for the "Mixing Digital and Physical Worlds Workshop" on Dec 16, 2023, at 9 am PST / Noon ET. Join us for a 1.5-hour exploration of tools for 3D and 2D art, NFTs, and bridging the digital-physical gap. Engage in a discourse on web3, blockchain, and NFTs. This donation-based workshop ($11 - $33) ensures accessibility for all and nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

You can learn more and register for it here.

My Interview with Nicole

1. Would you mind introducing yourself and letting us know a little bit about you and your work?

Hi I'm Nicole! I make 3D art about the internet and technology. I've always loved connecting with people through tech and I love adding a bit of warmth to something that can typically feel pretty cold.

2. Is there a reason you started to work digitally? What has that journey been like for you?
That's a good question. I actually started making digital art when I was about 12.  Before that I didn't really have anyone to show my work to, but being on online art forums made me feel pretty excited to share my work and get critique.

3. Is there a recent project you’ve done that you’re particularly proud of? If so, why?
Recently I've been working on this animated series with my partner, PLANTTDADDII, called the Wish ‘N Wash.  It's about a late/post-capitalist society, in a world where soap is scarce so people go to the local Wish N Wash laundromat and casino to win soap and wash their clothes.

I also have another WindowsXP themed piece that I’m coming out with sometime in January that I’m pretty excited about.

Collaboration with PLANTTDADDII, 2022, sold on SuperRare & 2/2 editioned prints.

4. Could you share your perspective on the role of digital and 3D art in the contemporary art world and how it has evolved over the years?
Originally I think 3D art was somewhat of a novelty. Now I'm seeing a lot of people making work with different forms of 3D nostalgia whether that be for video games or for previous digital eras. And, of course, 3D technology is heavily used in the metaverse or in digital worlds.

5. What advice would you give to emerging artists who are looking to make their mark in the world of 3D and digital art, considering your own journey and success in this field?
Right now, I feel like there are two pathways. The first pathway is to play into social media algorithms. The second pathway is getting into NFTs and related communities. The former is more client-focused, and the latter is more artwork-focused. I think a mixture of both is a good balance if you can manage it.

6. As a 3D visual artist, your work often blurs the line between the virtual and physical worlds. How do you see the future of art evolving in the context of emerging technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality?
I was just talking to my partner about this and we were talking about how one day we're going to have to explain to younger generations what a mouse cursor was LOL. I mean we're already seeing this, for example, with Meta and Ray-Ban’s collaboration on the smart glasses.

7. Collaboration and curation are part of your creative portfolio. Could you share an experience or project that challenged your artistic boundaries and pushed you to explore new creative territories?
I think the Wish ‘N Wash is something that has really pushed me. For the onset of this project I decided to sculpt and rig all of my characters from scratch and that's been a huge creative journey. First, I had to learn all the tools to do this and then I had to execute it. I'm still learning how to do all this. Sometimes it's discouraging but it’s also rewarding. I'm always getting better and trying my best.

8. What are some of the things that inspire you and/or your art?
I'm really inspired by computer user interfaces, video game characters, cities and neon lights, sci-fi, and good storytelling.

9. What do you hope people take away from connecting with your artwork?
I think ultimately I really want people to emotionally connect with my work.

10. How can people work with you? What’s the best way to learn more about your art?
I’m open for commissions and freelance starting in December! I have done a lot of album covers, music videos, character design, motion design, & 3D generalist work. People can find more about me on my website: https://www.nicoleruggiero.com or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleruggiero or Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/_nicoleruggiero.

The best way to contact me is my email: nicole@nicoleruggiero.com

Interview with Hermés

I am so excited to share this wonderful interview I just had with Hermés who is a FEMME ICON and an incredibly talented artist, advocate, activist, and so much more. You can learn more about her and all of the amazing things she does by clicking here.

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E: Hi, can you share a little bit about yourself! How did you come to be the incredible artist, shapeshifter, sorceress, and monstress that you are? What is important to you at this moment? 

H: Thank you, Edgar! Including being an artist and all the things, I also claim and embrace being a trailblazer. As an Aries, being the first has been a recurring theme in my life. The first to be born in the states, the first born of 3 siblings, and the first to graduate from college. The first to move out from my hometown and move to the Bay Area. 

My familial roots come from México, El Salvador, and Spain. What is important to me at this moment is the process of deconditioning and divesting from patriarchal capitalist colonial programming, which includes reclaiming ancestral wisdom and practices.

E: I am obsessed with the art you’ve shared on the tezos blockchain on objkt and would love to hear more about it! 

H: Yes, how I would describe the art that I put out there is FFF – Fantastical, FEMME, and Fun!

E: What is your relationship like with art practice, performance, and digital art? Does it intersect with other mediums/practices and, if so, how? 

H: What comes to mind is the performativity of gender. As philosopher Simone de Beauvoir said: “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”. Performance can also be ritualistic, ceremonial, and ancestral. I think performance can be elevating and seductive.

I’m inspired by femme, feminist, and surreal visual art, which in college I took a women’s studies class called, feminist-art-power. My favorite visual artists that are  coming up for me are Leonora Carrington, Leonor Fini, and Remedios Varo. I love that these artists incorporate their mysticism into their art. For example, Leonara Carrington created her own version of the Major Arcana cards.

 To me, art, creativity, magical praxis are all interconnected. Art intersects with my astrology and tarot studies and practices. Overall, my art/work is devotional.

E: Do you have any advice you’d like to share with any baby witches or aspiring artists? 

H: Take risks and experiment! How I personally learn and grow is through trial and error. I’m also a big book nerd, so I love to read! 

E: What are your favorite forms of ritual or magic that you incorporate into your daily life? 

H: Good question! I like to keep it simple and cute. I pull tarot cards everyday. I give little offerings to my guides, such as offering incense,water, and leaving sweets, flowers, and adornments to my altar spaces. 

E: Are there any people, practices, or artworks you’d like to uplift and share? Why does it feel important to share them? 

H: I love my star poets and artists. With my own astrology practice and study, I’m tremendously indebted to astrology/tarot reader/educator/writer Diana Rose Harper and her mentorship, workshops, and readings she offers and her Patreon. I definitely recommend checking her work for those wanting to dive deeper and learn about astrology. Her wonderful workshops that I want to highlight include, Fundamental Needs, Required Resources: The Collaboration of the 1st and 2nd Houses and Fierce Compassion: Natal Astrology as Radical Self-Care.

E: This is a very intense time astrologically (or so I’ve been told by a few friends) do you have any astrological insights that you feel are important to share? 

H: Based on what’s happening, I think discernment is crucial and seeing beyond the veil. At this time, cultivating community care is crucial. Despite the challenges, we have to remind ourselves that we have agency and autonomy.  

In addition to Diana Rose Harper and her work, I love tuning in to astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo’s Ghost of a Podcast. Each week she goes over weekly transits. She also does episodes on what to expect for the year ahead. Aside from the astro data, she also provides valuable solid advice. For example in an episode she mentioned that an antidote to fear can be by taking action, and that taking small incremental steps can create a big impact. 

E: What’s something you are hoping to accomplish in the next year or two? 

H: Alongside the visual art that I create, I want to dedicate more time to my writing and grow my girl blog! 

E: Please let us know about anything exciting going on in your life right now! 

H: Ah there’s always so much going on! What comes to mind is how energizing living by the water can be and being immersed with the Bay Area magic and connecting with other Bay Area artists and witches! 

 E: How can folks connect with you and your work? 

H: I’m always open to collaboration! (I’m a libra rising.) You can find me on instagram (@hermes_hermit). I also have my linktree posted there. You can also check out my blog and podcast!

Talking with Adrienne Maree Brown about withcraft, animism, divination, and so much more!

In the world of podcasting, there are moments when you get the chance to sit down with someone whose work has profoundly influenced your life. For me, that moment arrived when I had the incredible honor of speaking with Adrienne Maree Brown, co-host of the thought-provoking podcast "How to Survive the End of the World." Together, we delved into a realm of enchanting topics, from bibliomancy and the myriad paths of divination in nature to the profound wisdom of animism. Our conversation flowed, touching on the rich traditions of the Wixárika people and the profound ways that art and magic can shape our lives. You can listen to our episode here.

A Fan's Dream Becomes True Reciprocity:

As someone who has long been an admirer of Adrienne's transformative work, including her groundbreaking books "Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds" and "Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good," this podcast was a dream come true. Adrienne's most recent work, "Fables and Spells: Collected and New Short Fiction and Poetry," further showcases her ability to tap into the collective wisdom of humanity and the magic of storytelling. It was incredibly moving to have adrienne share an excerpt from this book during the podcast and, as if that weren’t enough, to also share that she is a big fan of me and my art as well.

**Bibliomancy: Unveiling Messages in the Written Word**

We talked about divination and focused on bibliomancy, which is the practice of finding divine messages in books. Adrienne shared her own experiences with this mystical art, stressing the significance of approaching it with an open heart and mind. She also highlighted the importance of "curating" your experience by paying attention to what emerges and how you choose your reading material. We also discussed how beautiful it is when serendipity leads you to a passage or phrase that deeply resonates and becomes a guiding light in your life.

**The Many Paths of Divination in Nature**

Nature, with its infinite wisdom, became another focal point of our discussion. Adrienne and I eloquently described various forms of divination rooted in the natural world, highlighting the profound connections we can forge with the environment around us. From the patterns of birds in flight to the whispers of the wind, nature offers us endless avenues to tap into its sacred knowledge.

adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown (click on this image to be taken to the podcast episode)

**The Wisdom of Animism**

Animism, the belief that all living beings and natural elements possess a soul or spirit, resonated deeply with both of us. We explored the ways in which animism invites us to engage with the world around us on a profound level, recognizing the consciousness present in every tree, rock, and creature. This perspective fosters a sense of interconnectedness and reverence for all life.

**Wixárika Traditions: A Journey into Indigenous Wisdom**

Our discussion shifted towards the Wixárika, a global indigenous community with deep traditions and wisdom, of which I am a descendant. I shared my experiences with Wixárika culture and my connection to its cosmologies, marakame (medicine people), and deities. I emphasized the significance of respecting and learning from indigenous communities as we aim to expand our understanding of the world. I brought up the incredible work that Diana Negrín has been doing with the Wixarika Research Center and her father’s legacy of uplifting and preserving José Benítez Sánchez’s incredible oeuvre. I also mention the work of Mama Chali and María Sabina.

**Art and Magic: Letting Creativity Flow**

As our conversation unfolded, we found ourselves immersed in a discussion about the inseparable connection between art and magic. Adrienne emphasized how both can be powerful tools for transformation, allowing us to channel our inner creativity and shape our lives in ways we may not have imagined. We shared personal stories of how art and magic have guided our own journeys and brought profound meaning to our existence.

**Profound Messages and Channeled Guidance**

In the spirit of sharing, Adrienne and I opened up about the profound messages we've received from the everyday world around us. From chance encounters with strangers to the synchronicities that seem to guide our paths, we explored the idea that life itself is a teacher, offering guidance and support when we are open to receiving it.

Quote by Edgar Fabián Frías

My conversation with Adrienne Maree Brown was a deep dive into the realms of magic, wisdom, and the everyday miracles that surround us. As someone who has long admired Adrienne's work, this podcast episode was not only a dream come true but also a reminder that when we open ourselves to the mysteries of existence, we uncover profound insights and a deeper connection to the world around us.

Adrienne's books, including "Emergent Strategy," "Pleasure Activism," and "Fables and Spells," serve as beacons of inspiration, guiding us to shape change, find pleasure in activism, and embrace the magic of storytelling. As we continue on our respective journeys, may we remember the wisdom shared in this conversation and carry it with us as we navigate the ever-unfolding story of our lives.

Queer Conjure: An Interview with Jasper Joy, the Genderqueer Witch Redefining Magic and Empathy

A photo of Jasper Joy from their website Queer Conjure. Can be found here.

Hello Jasper, I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to chat with you today and delve deeper into your world and the work you do with Queer Conjure. Before we begin, would you kindly introduce yourself and share a few key aspects of your journey that have led you to where you are today? I'm eager to learn more about your unique path.

Yes, thank you! Your work has been quite the inspiration for me! I first learned about you through Ylva Mara a couple of years ago and I’ve been listening to your Mutant Musings on Youtube ever since, as well as some of your other videos and I just appreciate them so much.

My name is Jasper Joy, my pronouns are they/them, and I am a white genderqueer witch, tarot scholar, writer, and spiritual support specialist. I have a small professional practice called queerconjure.org where I teach tarot and witchcraft in a way that centers queer experiences, trans experiences, and neurodivergent experiences. Because those are the communities I belong to. As a child, I was raised by gay new-agers and sober lesbian Buddhists. I was an initiate and acolyte of a Wiccan temple for all of my twenties. I am always investigating ways to honor what my elders taught me in a way that makes more room for anti-racist work and resists all concepts of hierarchy.

Could you share a memorable experience or transformational moment you've had while supporting individuals through your offerings and practices at Queer Conjure?

I have a client that comes to me twice a year for tarot readings and she spends most of our time together telling me hilarious stories. I don’t say much except to reflect back to her what I’m hearing as the thread that connects those stories together. At first, I wasn’t sure what she was getting out of our sessions. Through working with her I learned a lesson that changed my practice completely. Tarot, as well as other forms of divination, is primarily a tool to facilitate active and empathetic listening. For me, it is more important to shine a light on what the client already knows and feels than to try to wow them with what I know (or think I know). I have to set my ego aside and become a reflective reader rather than a projective reader. What’s more, I work with marginalized communities that often have to work really hard just to be taken seriously. Putting their needs to be seen, heard, validated, and accepted ahead of everything else is a very powerful healing magic.

https://www.queerconjure.org/

How do you approach failure and what have you learned from your past setbacks?

I’m not sure that I believe in failure. Within every experience is an opportunity to learn and open. Failure suggests shame or blame, a perspective rather than a reality. My mama used to say “well, I just paid some tuition to the college of life” whenever something went horribly wrong. I mean, accidentally setting the lawn on fire wrong. Literally shooting oneself in the leg wrong. It was her way of saying that, even amidst the most fucked up chaos, there is something to learn and grow from. Setbacks are real and they can bring a lot of grief with them. They bring up a sense of loss. Most of my recent setbacks have come from chronic illness and therefore less work. It’s been a big cosmic neon sign that says “slow down or else”. The more I resist the more the universe puts obstacles in my way. So I finally had to let go and slow down. And it’s allowed me to open more.

Could you share some insights into the rituals or practices that are particularly meaningful or powerful to you?

Journaling will always be my true love. I have ADHD and a memory disorder, so writing things down is essential. But it’s more than just a way to recall events. Writing creates change, which is also what magic does. It’s a sacred tool that reorients the writer back to their true path. Back to their dreams. In the mornings, as often as possible, I light a birthday candle on my altar and journal for as long as the candle burns. Which is only a few minutes. But it’s not the length of time that’s important, it’s the attention that’s given to the ritual that makes it powerful.

Can you share any advice or guidance for others who may be exploring their own gender identity or considering incorporating witchcraft into their lives?

I highly suggest shedding all concepts of “feminine” energies and “masculine” energies when it comes to witchcraft. No matter how you identify. Just take them off and throw them in the bin! Replace them with a word that resonates more with who you are deep down (because that’s where divinity is). Maybe “cloudy” or “creature”, “dandy” or “mossy”. The social construct of a gender binary serves as a tool of societal oppression and does not add value to intuition or magic- in fact it degrades our connection to the universe. Aside from that, I will say what I wish my first teacher had said to me: be gentle with yourself. You’re going to make mistakes- sometimes huge mistakes- and your magic isn’t going to look like a tiktok video. (Though tiktok wasn’t a thing when I started!) No matter how long you practice magic, or how many gender workbooks you complete, you will always be at the beginning of figuring it out. Never at the end. So always treat yourself with the patience and care you would give to a child who is just learning to tie their shoelaces. 

Are there any specific deities, spirits, or elements that you feel particularly connected to, and if so, how do you honor and work with them?

I like to work with queer ancestors and ancestral chosen family. For example, if I have writer’s block, I’ll build an altar with pictures of Hans Christian Anderson and Leslie Feinberg. I have a couple personal deities that I “made up” because there just aren’t any I fully connect with. I’m an animist so I spend time intentionally and silently connecting with the spirits of “things” that might otherwise be undervalued- the overzealous multiflora rose behind my house or the tea kettle that I use every morning. The couch where my family crowds in for movie night. The broom I use to sweep the patio. All of these things contain the elements, contain divinity, and offer opportunities for reverence. I’m grateful for that.

Are there any misconceptions or stereotypes about being a genderqueer witch that you would like to address or debunk?

I protect my energy by not getting into Gender 101 discussions unless I’m being paid to do so. I’m genderqueer because queer is my gender, which means I can’t explain it in a succinct way. I don’t have to explain it to anyone’s satisfaction in order for it to be valid and valued. My genderqueerness is part of the mystery that fuels my witchcraft. To separate my queerness and witchcraft would be impossible for me at this point.

Click here to request to book a tarot reading with Jasper Joy of Queer Conjure.

What other hobbies or interests do you enjoy outside of witchcraft that bring you joy or inspiration?

I’m a very family-oriented person. Not in a nuclear-hetero way, but in a way that requires a deeply intentional cultivation of relationships. I love my friends so much my heart feels like a bird. I enjoy the hell out of them. I love spending time with my nesting partner and children. I build my life with them in mind. I’m a book nerd, for sure. I’m also just a geek for whatever is considered “weird”. I listen to a lot of podcasts and read a lot. I get very enthusiastic about new-to-me information and trying new-to-me things. 

Are there any books, resources, or mentors that have significantly influenced your journey?

Cassandra Snow was my first portal into queerness as an essential part of tarot and magic. Before them, I was juggling those pieces of myself as separate rather than embodying them as a whole. I’ll be forever grateful to them. I have a booklist here of forty-plus books that I hold in high regard. The In Search Of Tarot podcast and the Missing Witches podcast routinely blow my mind. My conversations with Ylva Mara are deeply influential as well. I highly recommend her book A Practical Guide For Witches.

What are some of your favorite magical tools or ingredients to work with, and why?

Invasive plants! Anything that’s considered a nuisance but holds powerful medicine within. Their tenacity feels inherently queer to me. I have a small cauldron that I ritually work with several times a month that often holds plant friends and scraps of paper with scribbled wishes or thanks written on them. The cauldron is sacred for many reasons, but to be honest I love it because it’s iconic. Tarot cards are an obvious answer for me, because that’s what most of my work revolves around. For me, tarot is just as enigmatic as queerness and offers millions of lifetimes worth of lessons.

In what ways do you use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to amplify your message and connect with a broader audience? How has social media impacted your spiritual practice and community-building efforts? Any messages you feel called to share around social media? 

When I began my witchy studies, there was this thing called Witchvox. It was an online social network for witches and pagans before social media was even a thing. It’s where I found my first teacher. My first ritual, my first spell. It’s how I got my start. These days, my witch-community is a quilt of queers I stumbled upon thanks to some algorithm on Instagram and sometimes dating apps. I am grateful for that. I don’t know if it’s “amplified my message” exactly. I have a business partner that makes beautiful posts that keep us in the feed. I try not to think about the fact that I have an audience, though. I’m just doing my little turn on the catwalk, checking in with my loves, and looking at reels of cute animals. If I start paying attention to likes or followers or traffic reports, then social media begins to feed on my sense of self-worth. I think it’s important to hold boundaries that prevent that. 

What are some ways that folks can connect with you and do you have any exciting things coming up you’d like to share? 

All of my work can be found at queerconjure.org and I love getting emails from new folks. I also have a Patreon and a podcast, both called Queer Conjure. Right now my partner and I are creating the second issue of our downloadable tarot workbook and I’m very excited to share that once it feels complete.

Please feel free to share any additional insights or stories or anything else you feel is important to share with our readers. 

Thank you so much for these lovely questions! It was a wonderfully creative and introspective experience to answer them!

Click the image above to listen to the Mutating with Edgar episode on the Queer Conjure Podcast

As an added bonus, I recently had the privilege of being a guest on the Queer Conjure Podcast where we delve into the intersections of queerness and spirituality.

Introducing Sarah Herrington: Exploring Writing, Yoga, and Narrative Healing

Discover the captivating world of Sarah Herrington, a gifted writer, teacher, and advocate for narrative healing. With a remarkable background in literature and yoga, Sarah has made a lasting impact in both fields.

Having obtained MFAs from prestigious institutions such as New York University and Lesley University, Sarah currently imparts her knowledge as a writing instructor at Fordham University. Her exceptional written works have graced the pages of renowned publications like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Oprah Magazine. As a regular contributor to Yoga Journal, she seamlessly merges her passions for yoga and the written word.

Beyond her literary achievements, Sarah is highly regarded as a yoga teacher, having completed extensive training in various yoga styles. Her expertise has attracted the attention of NPR and CNN, where she has shared insights on safe spaces within yoga and meditation communities.

Sarah's dedication to narrative healing shines through her recent presentation at Harvard University's Uses and Abuses of Power conference. Drawing from personal experiences and contemplative practices, she empowers individuals to heal from spiritual abuse and find solace through storytelling. I am also thrilled to share that Sarah is hosting The Portal: summer journey of writing + healing. Featuring some amazing guest teachers, writing workshops, community, and coaching, including yours truly!

Please keep reading to learn more about Sarah and her many practices!

Hi Sarah! We are incredibly grateful to have you here. Could you please share a bit about your background and what initially sparked your interest in writing and teaching?

Yes! I’ve been writing since I was a little kid, making little books and poems. Growing up in a rural area in the Northeast, reading gave me connection and escape. I moved to NYC at 18 to study writing and ended up getting two MFAs (that's another story) from Lesley University and NYU. Along the way, I fell in love with teaching and helping create a creative community. I've also been teaching various forms of yoga and meditation for fifteen years, and during the pandemic began to teach mindful writing classes that combine meditation and embodiment. 

Your writing incorporates elements of memoir and personal essay, as well as poetry. How do you balance these different forms, and what do you enjoy about each one?

I feel like the genre comes from the subject---different expressions take different shapes. I also love genre hybridity, where the writing combines forms or moves beyond them altogether. 

I started with poetry, and this informed my love for sound, rhythm, and imagery in writing. 

I'm inspired by memoirs and personal essays because you can take things you’ve lived through, witnessed, and make them into art. In this way, both forms can be empowering. You get to take what happened “to you” and reclaim your narrative, your way. There's a lot of creativity happening in these spaces, too, and you can weave in poetic elements. 

I often gravitate toward essays because they are more compact, and in that way can feel like a poem. Memoir lets you spread out and go deeper into layers. At the moment I’m really interested in hybrid memoirs and essays where you can bring in different tools—- like reporting or research or lyrical play—- into your nonfiction story.

In addition to writing, you also teach writing workshops and mentor other writers. What do you enjoy about teaching, and what advice do you have for writers looking to improve their craft?

I absolutely love being in spaces where writers are working to explore and express themselves. When I'm teaching I find great meaning in encouraging others to use their voices. I also feel so honored to witness drafts and hear the stories of others. I feel like our world can be so lonely and disconnected, and working on writing in safe spaces can be medicine—- helping us connect to ourselves and others. 

For first drafts, I really think it’s important to protect your sacred space and allow yourself to explore and play. Pretend no one is going to read your work. You can always edit things out later. Drafting with vulnerability and honesty can yield energetic work.

If you are interested in publishing, I think it’s helpful to aim your work toward a particular outlet as you edit. To do that, read tons of pieces from the column or publication you are aiming for and study the form. You can always break rules, but if publishing is important to you it’s helpful to understand the guidelines. When you submit your work, aim high! You never know if you can place your writing in a publication til you try. 

Your work has appeared in publications like The New York Times, The Paris Review, and Elle. How does the process of writing for different audiences and publications affect your writing style and voice?

I do think there’s a process of aiming when it comes to publishing that can shape your voice for that piece. I think you should always sound like yourself, but when writing toward or with a certain publication there may be things like word count or style to consider. It’s so powerful to publish and connect with readers, but also not every piece fits in every publication. To me, publishing is a process of finding a home for your work that enhances it. It’s a collaborative process between writer and publication. 

You're also a yoga teacher and have written extensively on the connection between writing and yoga. How do these two practices intersect for you, and what role do they play in your life?

To me, yoga and writing are complementary practices. I think it can be so fruitful to have contemplative practice in your life —— a realm of silence —- to dip into, inhabit, a place to hear your intuition. For me, that’s yoga, meditation, sound baths/ sound healing, color therapy, and even walks. I need those spaces of spirit, of the liminal, to feel. All that feeling and intuition then inform what I write about. 

Having a regular yoga practice also taught me a lot about ritual and determination--- having a practice, and learning to show up on the page again no matter what. One of my yoga teachers used to say: “through repetition the magic arises,” and I think that’s great advice for establishing a writing practice too. 

Finally, what are you currently working on, and what can readers expect from you in the future?

Thanks for asking! I’m currently writing a hybrid memoir investigating aspects of spirituality, abuse and healing. And as a wildcard I’m revisiting some old short stories from the past, stories looking at gender and power. And I've always got an essay in the oven :)

You can find out more about Sarah by visiting her website: https://www.sarahherrington.com/

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Sarah.Herrington/

Interview with Sarita Doe of the School For The Ecocene

Sarita con Soil image by Lauren Morrell Tabak

I am thrilled to begin my series of interviews here on my blog by introducing you all to Sarita Doe! Sarita is a steward of the School For The Ecocene, an incredible artist, educator, student, parent, visionary, and more! Please keep reading to learn more about Sarita and to learn more about her incredible offerings and upcoming projects!

1. Please introduce yourself and let us know what you're currently working on and/or excited about in your life!

I’m Sarita Doe ~ a parent, painter, student, and steward for the Ecocene ~ an emergent geologic era of relearning reciprocal life in ecosystems. 

Right now I’m excited to be sharing new works in the show: Of Seed, Soil and Stars: Meditations on Land, Body, Resistance, and Regeneration, curated by Joy A. Anderson and Robin Garcia. The exhibition and performances bring interdisciplinary artists together who collaborate with earth and communities, using soil, rainwater, and natural pigments as material. 

One of my contributions to the show is a painted story-map of the Run4Salmon, created in collaboration with Michael “Pom” Preston and the Winnemem Wintu tibe from a spring at Buliyum Puyuuk, known today as Mt. Shasta. The legacy of water in California includes the Winnemem Wintu creation stories where salmon offered to help humans. 

Chief Caleen Sisk is guiding broad coalitions to organize, hold ceremony and revitalize some of the most engineered water systems in the world. For those of us who are settlers in major urban centers in California have so much to learn about the California Aqueduct, its systems of dams preventing the salmon from coming hoome, and how we can help to bring back healthy habitat and nur, or Winnemem Wintu salmon back to Buliyum Puyuuk. I encourage folks to support their efforts through education, amplification and donation, and check out the painting Salmon Home: Waterways Repair and Winnemem Wintu Cosmovision of Care, amongst the other great works and performances at the show! 

Of Seed Soil and Stars is on view June 2–July 9, 2023, Fridays through Sundays 12–6pm at the USC Roski Studios Building, 3001 South Flower Street (entrance is on 30th Street) in Los Angeles, Tongva Land, California.

2. How do you see art and spirituality intersecting in your creations, and what impact do you hope your work has on viewers?

In a ritual at the beginning of my DIY PhD, I gave my art to Pachamama, the Andean deity of our home planet. Earth-based spirituality has been set as my compass since the time I went to graduate school at UCLA. When I would ask myself who my work was for, Pachamama would come to mind and ask me to learn more about living systems, habitat care, and offerings to restore balance to myself, to planet. If we want to relearn these practices, we can step outside, mak a little offering, and ask to be guided towards the teachers, plants, communities and practices that can help us humans right now. 

I hope that viewers are able to receive the Earth medicine transmitted through the portraits with places whom I’ve begun building relations with. The painting is created in offering, and the plants reveal stories for us that can bring us joy, calm, and comfort as we relearn our nature.

I’ve learned these spiritual practices mostly in circles with Queen Hollins of the Earthlodge for Spiritual Transformation and Olivia Chumacero of Everything is Medicine. As Olivia reminds us, all humans have the memory of being in collective Earth reverence in this way. For many of us from mixed/colonial descent it’s buried deep in our blood memory. 

3. How do you connect with and honor your ancestors, and what role do they play in your creative process?

The majority of my ancestors are from European settlers during different eras of the colonization of Turtle Island: Cajuns, Celtics and later Italians from largely working-class farmer backgrounds on my Father’s side, and mixed-race Indigenous Andean, Spanish colonial, and Scottish royal backgrounds on my Mother’s side. 

Sometimes when I sit with them or meditate with them at the altar, they give me directives: like my Aymara bisbisbisbisabuela whose unconditional love asks me to love myself and know myself as a divine expression of our planet. Or the Celtic deer tribe ancestors from County Donegal in Ireland who asked me to paint deer flags and hang them alongside my art in a traveling exhibit. Turns out deer are a symbol of fertility, and our moonegg child Lidagat came through not too long after. They were responding to my prayer for a little family.

I’m still learning a lot about my ancestors, their path and impact on the world, and the stories they carried that give way to paradigm-shifts through me. Both psilocybin mushrooms and Black Sage (externally) have supported me in uncovering and transmuting their legacies in my body. I also work with chosen ancestor Frida Kahlo, who continues to inspire so many of us through gender fluidity, hybrid cultural identities, and embodied experience as an artist making sense between worlds. 

Salmon Home: Waterways Repair and Winnemem Wintu Cosmovision of Care, created in collaboration with Chief Caleen Sisk’s son, Michael “Pom” Preston, natural pigment and gouache on board, 2023, 36” x 48”

4. Can you tell us a bit about the mission and vision behind Ecocene School, and how you came to start this project?

Our School for the Ecocene is an offering to Earth. We are creating this school in service to sharing skills, practices and play to curious and seasoned Earthworkers alike! This year, the School transitioned from being my DIY PhD Dissertation-inspired project into a collaborative cooperative school council of eight stewards: mbgenerator, Yoli, ink, champoy, Chayo, Johanna and Dongyi plus our elders Olivia Chumacero and Queen Hollins. Our coop has sprouted thanks to so many magical mentors, students, sponsors and supporters! 

I came across the word Ecocene as the focus for my DIY PhD after giving my 6-year program to Pachamama in ritual. The Ecocene is an antidote to the Anthropocene, or industrialized human- dominated geologic era we are currently trying to get out of. 

As the Anthropocene has impacted communities differently according to race, class, religion, gender, geography and ability, so the Ecocene must address the revitalization of all Earth’s living systems from an intersectional perspective of mutual aid, reparations and land back. 

5. How can folks get involved with or support Ecocene School, and what steps do you encourage people to take to prioritize a more ecocene future in their own lives and communities?

We share seasonal loveletters that interested people can sign up for, to sprinkle inspiration amongst all you brilliant human stewards, educators, activists, artists, and healers. These loveletters share our ecooperative values and as we uplift Earthlings in these deep transitions and reorientation towards connection to body, mind, spirit, community and habitat. 

We are currently raising seedfunds to bring our elder Queen Hollins’ manuscript, Earth Doula., into publication! Her wisdom, rituals, and actions are a balm for the imbalances making our Earth and communities sick. We welcome Earth Angels and Sugar Zaddies to consider supporting this work through a tax-deductible donation. We have mostly been volunteering to create the cooperative, and your investment in our Earth Education Cooperative means everything to us continuing the work!

Olivia teaches us to find a time and place where we can go to make an offering (spoken, sung, water, gift) to the Earth, or habitat / ecosystem, water, mountain, ancestors, etc near to where we currently live. We can sit and listen. Lie down, and witness what the wind, trees, plantitas, water, ancestors, stones, animals want to share with us. We can ask them what next steps we can take towards their care. 

6. Finally, what advice do you have for other educators and activists who are looking to create accessible, intersectional resources for social and environmental change?

Learning from local tribal movements near where we are living is a gift. We can learn the names of the Indigenous people where we live, as well as the plants and ecosystems. We can follow, amplify and support Black Reparations, Indigenous Sovereignty, and frontline communities’ environmental activism where we live. Listen deeply, dream, and ask what are the unique medicine and energies we can offer. We ask our spirit guides and the land that holds us what we should focus on in the DIY PhD, and upon increasing our comfort in communication, these deity-beings, including our own deity intuition, will show us paths of ease and fulfillment that want to unfold.

All our tendrils of wonder, intention, action, self-compassion ripple out to make social and environmental changes beyond our wildest collective dreams. All this exchange is available in our bodies, spirits, creative collaborations and habitat!

You can experience Sarita Doe’s works along with Jackie Amézquita, Jess Gudiel, JEM, LaRissa Rogers, and a closing performance by Maria Maea at Of Seed, Soil, and Stars from June 1st to July 9th, at LACE’s Emerging Curators exhibition at the USC Graduate Fine Arts Building, 3001 S Flower Street near downtown Los Angeles.

Follow Sarita on Instagram at @saritadoe

Learn more about her and all of her offerings by going to her website: https://www.saritadoe.com/