The Fertile Hand

Our hands are very powerful! Our humanness; both vulnerable and robust, is entirely evident in the reach of our hands. The extent to which we create experiences from the tips of our very fingers is nothing short of incredible. We speak, express love, and cradle our young with the very same hands that punctuate the curve of a dancer's stance . We gather around food humbly sowed with human hands; tended and pulled from the Earth. In fact, we gather around magnificent displays of human creation everyday. What's more, we define our intentions and engage one another through these seemingly divine appendages.

Our hands are simultaneously creative, destructive and fertile.

In this moment of Covid-19, the world feels chaotic. The freedom that many of us once held in the palm of our hands, is gone. Life as we knew it feels out of reach. Now more than ever we must look within. Use this time to reach toward your fertile mind. Create something from your fear. Find your fertile artist. To quote a friend, "Sheath yourself in art".

The beauty in our humanness is our ability to adapt. Now is a time to grow and elevate our experiences.

Gather: *Cardboard

*Pen

*Box cutter knife or scissors

*Acrylic paint/bushes

*Tape

Create:

1. Draw a hand on your cardboard.

2. Cut it out using either a box cutter or scissors.

3. Apply tape to form a resist for the paint. You can do this in many different ways! Get creative here!

4. PAINT!

5. Allow to dry and carefully remove the tape. Viola!

This was a great activity to do with the kiddos. This project can lead into a gentle discussion on the powerful effect we have on one another; on how we touch one another in everything we do. We have a choice to lift and hold each other up and to consider how we may contribute to the greater good. Remember, even washing your hands, has an effect on those around you. Please consider how we are all connected in this fertile life.