A few times over the years, I've invited us into an idea that my friend Dan Cumberland came up with: #FearlessFebruary. It's a focus for the month (and occasionally a more formal campaign) to inspire us to tackle projects or goals that might intimidate us.
For my #FearlessFebruary, I'll share an intention—sometime this year, I plan on scaling back my newsletters to one or two issues a month in order to focus more on writing the book I keep hinting at. It won't be this month, but I've shared the intent. There are too many exciting arts and creative events to invite you into to scale back over the coming weeks. So, you can continue to expect issues in your inbox every Friday for now.
This intended redirecting of my writing energy comes after 2022, where one of my goals was to send out 52 newsletters, one each week. I’m excited to announce that I achieved that goal! It’s the most prolific I’ve been with this newsletter since launching it almost seven years ago, March 1, 2017. Last year, it took an extra level of dedication, commitment, and work to generate and create content every week. Thank you to everyone for reading and responding.
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Last weekend, to get a jumpstart back into the book I have in mind, I went to the snowy forest outside of Flagstaff. In the cabin surrounded by snow, I recalled some of the newsletter issues of the past. I realized I hadn't shared a song I composed to a poem about winter (despite over the years including poems, thoughts, and art inspired by the season).
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The text for the song comes from poet Witter Bynner (1881-1968). When I set the words to music, I used a few techniques to depict its themes and symbols. For the listener, this comes through the harmony and melody, which create a cold austerity and otherworldliness. But for the performers, there is an added element of visual symbolism they can see in the score.
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The piano part is written across three staves instead of the traditional two; this extra layering in the score references the layers of snow in the text. My use of tied whole-notes throughout the piece provides a still sound-world and visually represents snow in piles and drifts.
One thing that has continued to resonate with me about the text is the hope alluded to in the last lines: “To the earth's green motions lying warm below / Field upon field, field upon field, of snow.” In the recording linked below, the song is performed by Josh Elmore, with Gabriel Stevens at the piano. I invite you to listen.
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Mariners Arts Show at the Santa Ana Art Walk
This Saturday February 4, 2023, 6:30pm
120 W 5th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
At this month's Downtown Santa Ana Art Walk, Mariners Arts will present a pop-up show at Mariners in the Ramona Building. I'll have a few pieces of art along with a handful of others. In addition, the city will be alive with artists presenting their work in galleries and creative spaces.
First Fruits: Creativity Responding to Scripture
This Monday, February 6, 2023, 7:00pm
The CoCreate Arts Center, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest
1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Each iteration of First Fruits has been special as we've responded to scripture across creative forms. Whatever your creative outlet might be, we invite you to come create and be inspired.
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Save the Date: Boca de Oro 2023
Magic in the Ordinary
March 4th, 2023
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Next month, the Boca de Oro Festival of Literary Arts and Culture will once again fill Downtown Santa Ana with the creativity of poets, students, authors, and performers. We are excited by the theme, Magic in the Ordinary, as we gather for a day of inspiring sessions, presentations, and performances.
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