Atmospheric River

I was listening to the sheets of rain pummel the metal roof last night as I was winding down; attempting to fall asleep. The deluge of water seemed fitting as my brain was thinking about ALL that has rained down upon us over these last 2 years. We are quickly coming up on that 2-year “anniversary” of when the initial lock down started in Oregon. Anything before March 13, 2020 (Friday the 13th if you were wondering….) is now in my mind the “before times”. Everything since then has been this misty jumble of time, space, so many unprecedented milestones personally, professionally, and as a citizen of this country. Everything in these last 2 years has been tipped over, shaken and then set back down to see where everything lands.

Thankfully, through incredible mentors, friends, family and people who have always nourished my creativity - I started Aura. Who starts a new business in the middle of a pandemic??? Who starts a nonprofit when they also just found out they are pregnant? Who opens an art studio, a month before their second kiddo is about to be born? Apparently that’s me raising my hand to all of the above. I seem to do things that others think is bananas but seems perfectly logical to me. Of course I’m going to start a nonprofit to benefit kids with access to the arts. Of course I’m going to open an art studio - which means more kids will have arts access. Hey - the timing might not be so great - but when is timing ever perfect?

So - Aura. It started because a dear friend wanted to start and art studio and asked if I’d be able to give them some advice. Of course! I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned and help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made along the way. That has in turn given rise to other nonprofits asking if I can help them with a project here, hiring support there, brainstorming here, grant writing there.

I am so thankful that this new deluge of working with incredible people and organizations is happening. With everything shifting - and continually shifting - helping others and bringing more creativity into this world - especially during this moment in time - is exactly where I need to be. And listening to the water drip and move feels like all of us right now. We are landing and moving into new places. I’m excited to see what this new deluge grows.