Antigua 2024 Commences

Just a couple of days ago we were braving midwestern cold temperatures, visiting Jack in Evansville for a concert there.   My sister and her son came along and a good time was had by all.  Prayers to the travel-faeries that her passport comes in time for her to join me here in Antigua in just over a week.  Miracles do happen.

Back homewards we careened as I had to pack and ready for my annual trek to Antigua, Guatemala to share a bit of sketching and drawing with like-hearted folks interested in deepening a practice of mindful attention to the beauty that surrounds them.  Yesterday found me fairly shot out of the proverbial canon to catch an earlier than expected flight south.  It was a long day, but all in all I maintain that travel is a gift and a privilege.  I was greeted at the airport by our driver Josué who’s English matched my Spanish and we were able to exchange pleasant conversation on route from Guatemala City into Antigua.  

Arrival  at Posada San Sebastián is literally like being welcomed home to family and I am deeply grateful for it.  Between lack of sleep, increased altitude, and a delicious dinner, I was certainly ready for a good night’s sleep.  In the evening there was observation and conversation about a wildfire that had begun on the far side of Volcán de Agua, usually such a strong and silent presence in Antigua.   Water on Fire.  This is the age we live in.

It is disconcerting to be sure.  

This morning I awoke, having slept soundly and opted to paint before even glancing at my phone, a practice I want to cultivate.  Things always seem slightly less grim after dawn breaks I do believe.

I painted and pondered, thinking about fires and humans and traveling and guilt and attention to beauty and the importance of that as a way of walking in the world.  As the day wore on, and as we are in a relatively small and deeply connected town, word was that the fire is coming to containment.  There was a collection of food and beverages being collected for all those working to fight the fire up on the mountain.  As we came home from dinner the collection efforts were being readied for shuttling to those hard at work.  There is nothing like the spirit of community.  

This gives me hope.  

This first day was spent gathering “swag” gifties for our arriving workshop participants and of course sketching and drawing.  We went to a lovely ruin named after Santa Clara and did a couple of paintings.  Warming up, settling in.  And most importantly, enjoying the pleasure of quiet company between dear friends.  

Recently I had a revelation at a musical gig I was part of .  I realized I don’t much care for playing “for” other people.  In a show or for a ceremony or what have you.  And it occurred to me that this is similar to how I feel about art in general.   I’d rather make art “with” than “for”.  Art making of any kind is worth doing in a spirit of communion, rather than presentation, as I see it.  I suppose more accomplished artists and musicians can be in a state of communion while also performing but so far, this eludes me.  Alas.  I’ll take painting and playing with friends and avoid the lime light any day!!

Being in a place such as this awakens the senses.  I engage the play of light and color, even as we worry over our beloved Agua suffering a fire.  I can feel my eyes and heart opening after just over 24 hours here in this magical place and more firmly believe that this opening of heart and this art of attention is a form of prayer to our troubled world.  

To my paid patrons, I will be making some of these posts public to share a bit of the workshop.  As always, I so appreciate your support!