TOI Blog

I Need This

Using a paint splattered rag, the paint now dry, I wipe off a porcelain tray. I left it outside yesterday. Honeysuckle blossoms, redbud twigs, and gooey stuff from unknown sources have accumulated on its surface from an early morning rain. “I need this tray,” I tell myself. As the weather turns warm I take my […]

Summer Camp

One dream project of mine is to establish an open studio practice wherever people gather – every office, school, mall, factory – every community hub, sports facility, detention center, – every theatre, museum, and business incubator. Over the years Rebecca and I developed a studio starter kit. Everything you need for a studio fits into […]

This Is Water

In the past week I have watched this beautiful video set to David Foster Wallace’s “This Is Water” commencement speech at Kenyon College no less than  a dozen times. This speech is important to me for many reasons. In addition to being the theme of my recent wedding, I believe it speaks quite clearly to […]

Considering Smiling as a Skill

My Sign: “Team, Family, and Friends” Sign Journal Entry: “This is about the great fullness of me. These are the people who stand up for you and have your back when times get tough. They make you happy when you are sad and when you are so mad you can’t help but to smile when […]

First Run of the Season

Today began a process. A very long process. Today was my first official training run this year. I began running three years ago when I did a triathlon with a friend. I had never done any kind of athletic race before and it seemed like a fun challenge. At the time I couldn’t run a […]

Pretzels and Leadership

I smell pretzels. I’m outside the College Avenue Public Library. Across from me is 670 East 42nd Street where “A Taste of Philly” bakes its pretzels. The Edward Hopper-like view from where I stand puts this little scene into any town at any time. Inside there is a cooler full of drinks and a window […]

Here From the Start to the End

One of our projects takes place in a neighborhood that is re-imagining itself. With Rebecca and I students create signs that express unique perspectives and authentic voices. Instead of advertising quick food or get out of debt schemes these signs point to emergent and timeless values that are growing on the insides of these students. […]

Everywhere We Go

“Everywhere we go we have a conversation about things with the people we find there.” This sentence comes out of my ninety-three year old father’s mouth. We’re sitting together near the window at Hubbard and Cravens coffee shop. He picked me up after I dropped my car off with the mechanic. Outside, even though its […]

The Student in Us

Who can say what deeply moves a student? By “student” I mean any of us going about our days, doing the work we do, wondering about the things and people we encounter. There is a student inside each of us. An outside-the-box questioner who keeps most of those questions to herself. After just a couple […]

TedxIndy: The Invisible Learning Environment