SPIRITUAL WELL
healing the soul through collaboration with the Earth
Increasingly I have been discovering and nurturing a soul connection with the Earth. Beyond grounding, I have been moving into a loving relationship of curiosity and active engagement with the land and diverse bio-systems occupying it. During the global pandemic, when connection with other humans had to be reduced, non-human creatures, plants and rocks became more cherished companions in my life. Having learned about agricultural strategies for hobby-gardeners earlier on, I began studying more deeply the traditions, historic changes and modern understandings based on academic inquiry of land use. I experimented with different strategies for finding unexpected symbiotic connections between plants of different origins. I explored permaculture ideas and looked for opportunities to develop the concepts further.
In February 2021, I became a proud owner of 10 acres of undeveloped land just over an hour driving distance from my home. My piece of south-facing slope in the High Desert has streams of rocks gently cascading among mature Juniper trees and native grasses. Sweeping views of hills and mountains let my heart soar alongside raptors. There is no developed road leading to the spot (yet), no utilities and no neighbors whose primary residence is close by.
An opportunity unlike ever before opened up to me. Perhaps I could express my deep love for the land through a collaborative art project, I thought. Environmental Art has always mesmerized me, and has remained far out of reach – until now.
To begin, I will have a trusted photographer capture my 10-acre “canvas” as it is unaltered by me. With spring advancing, I will spread seeds of wildflowers and shrubs known to succeed in desert environments on the West coast of the USA. I will offer up color and texture to my land and allow the soil, existing plants, wild animals to accept as much of my offering as the environment pleases. The shapes and textures that will emerge will be the beginning of my collaborative artwork with the environment. I seek to patiently listen and watch my land’s response to my offer, and assist the growth and development where I feel the land desires my input. I may build sculptures and installations, but always with the wellness of the land in mind.
My primary objective is to build and develop a trusting relationship between the land and myself.
My secondary objective is to express this loving relationship through art on a large scale - both in space and in time.
I have named my piece of land “Spiritual Well”. It is a place that feels sacred to me and offers nurture to my seeking soul. I am excited and humbled and elated all at once.
I would be honored to have you follow along on my journey.
First Eagle Eye View
Estimated property boundary lines of my Spiritual Well
March 20, 2021
I wanted to see the land as the raptors who soar above it. Toby of T. Nolan Imagery captured the area for me by drone. With few obvious markers in place, I walked the property - an animal outlining its territory - and have drawn an approximate outline over the drone image here.
Sowing
April 1, 2021
So many seeds…
I spent a lot of time thinking about what kinds of seeds I would spread. Conservation and restoration of the High Desert appealed to me tremendously, and I read and listened to people who have dedicated much of their lives to these studies. Eventually I came to understand that this land - zoned residential and is in line of development, between ranches and recreation of mostly driving and shooting - is not going to become restored to its pre-development condition no matter how hard I try. Instead I opted for plants that are commonly used in flower beds and those that can be found in local parks. I ended up with wildflower mixes, lots of milkweed, lavender, clover, chamomile, yarrow, and so many poppies.
Part of a family
Matthew Small, my husband, deserves most of the photo credit on this project. If I am in the picture, most likely he was the one who shot it.
Bringing my family into the Spiritual Well allows me to incorporate their lively and loving spirit, and challenge my tendency to pursue perfection.
During our exploration on site, we discovered that quite a few non-native plants had sprouted up already. Tire marks from recreational vehicles and trucks were evident. We observed changes to the land compared to less than two weeks prior when I had brought Toby Nolan to take pictures with his drone. Rapidly advancing road construction efforts were underway in the form of cutting of trees and filling in of gravel in some areas. We drove past a neighbor and introduced ourselves.
The least intrusive fence
Setting boundaries
April 15, 2021
Some trees have been cut down along one of two recorded easements on my property. Tire tracks are visible in the dust along the areas on the edge of the easements. Road construction might be commencing sooner than I had expected. Creating a boundary to indicate my presence and engagement felt important.
I considered building a fence and worried that it might end up in the way of construction vehicles or animals. I wanted to paint rocks with house paint and spread them along the approximate perimeter to create a dotted line when seen from above. At the hardware store, however, I opted for a lighter and more modular option - parachute rope tied to branches of trees that are definitely part of the Spiritual Well with all easements considered.