Love is our greatest tool

A fond memory of a favorite teacher.

The other day my sister texted:

Just had a memory of Mr. Wada and how everyday before class he’d ask if anyone needed “pencil, eraser, tortillon.”

Wada was our high school art teacher. His art room was a little piece of heaven. Every start of class, he’d unlock the supplies cabinet and repeat “pencil, eraser, tortillon” until he was sure everyone had gotten what they needed.

Then he’d lock the cabinet back up so people couldn’t steal stuff.

He was a little crazy, in the best way. Always in his blue painter’s coat. He loved art and maybe, more importantly, he loved our art. I think maybe he even loved us. I felt it anyway.

And we definitely loved him.

It reminds me of that quote from Maya Angelou:

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I dug up the final assignment I did for his class senior year:

I can’t remember the assignment, but I remember we could choose any medium. And I remember this piece was about us all being different and the same. And, what’s crazy to me is how I chose drawing and collage - still my two favorite mediums to work in.

Also, I remember that he loved it.

Love really is our greatest power.

Our jobs, our roles in life - they play a role. Sure.

But how we choose to show up — that’s what’s most important.

“pencil, erasure, tortillon…”

Wada armed us with art tools. He also armed us with acceptance. A safe place.

He armed us with love.

He definitely made me much more interested in art, my sister said.

That’s what love does, doesn’t it?

It opens us up.

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, our world will know peace. (Jimi Hendrix)

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We had our biggest, most magical Ojai Creatives meetup yet on Thursday. All the thanks to The Dutchess Ojai and all the awesome creatives who came out. Together, we can and will do great things in our city and beyond.

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Jump + Pray,

Joce