Remember being told as a child that we are what we eat? At the time, the concept might have seemed like a silly rhyme. Yet, what we consume determines not just our physical makeup but also our psychological, spiritual, and psychic one. You must ingest beauty to create beauty. A friend recently shared biohacker Ben Greenfield’s blog post in which he encouraged readers to “look at art to make more art, listen to music to make more music.” He was advocating for joy in the making. It’s not just about doing, thinking, and being the “right” thing but also enjoying and savoring life–if not in every moment, then at least in some of them. Otherwise, we simply become our actions, and, absent of intention, the results will likely matter substantially less.
Clare Rojas depicts a highly personalized view of nature, rendering what she sees with folk-like simplicity. I prefer to be outside than in. I find so much joy in nature, savoring the divine, and the environment’s constantly changing aesthetic. Where, what, or who allows you to spot and reconnect with yourself so that you can create joy?
Clare Rojas
Agate Beach, 2021
Oil on linen
24 × 30 in | 61 × 76.2 cm