[Early Access] Introducing my illustrious rainwater poppy paintings (with two wild cards)

May 31

Written By Alexander Smith

Dear Soul-Sibling,

I'm dancing with Krista Tippett's words in a sort of pre-summer spiritual reverie.

"Muscular hope."

What imaginative leap are you willing to catch and grow in the spirit of muscular hope?

From a New York Times magazine interview, on July 5, 2022.

"I talk about hope being a muscle.

It’s not wishful thinking, and it’s not idealism. It’s not even a belief that everything will turn out okay. It’s an imaginative leap, which is what I’ve seen in people like John Lewis and Jane Goodall. These are people who said: 'I refuse to accept that the world has to be this way. I am going to throw my life and my pragmatism and my intelligence at this insistence that it could be different and put that into practice.'

That’s a muscular hope.

So, to your question, I don’t always feel robustly hopeful. Depression is something I’ve struggled with. I’ve found the world an unbearable place for months at a time in the last two years. But at the same time I don’t feel like there’s a place in my work for my despair" (Krista Tippett).

Do these words resonate with you?

Hit reply and let me know how they land in your world. I'll share some of the responses in an upcoming podcast episode.

My illustrious rainwater poppy paintings are officially hitting the interwebs on Monday morning (June5) at 9AM PDT!

Yes, I collected raindrops. Boiled, purified and sifted them (with love) to blanket your custom piece with valuable Southern California rainwater.

Since I adore my email subscribers (that's you), I'm opening my Spring Collection right now, so you can get a head start on your purchase.

Here's your private link to make an early access purchase.

It would be an honor to join your art collection.

My bags are packed and I'm ready to fly to New York midweek and spend part of the Summer with Harvey, her Dads and her new dog Brandi.

Here's a peek at my refreshed attic bedroom writing/painting/digital-do-stuff desk. I plan to write at the window early in the morning and watch the sun rise.