Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. While I love that we have a special day to honor our planet, our young painters regularly use images from nature to express themselves.

They seem to know instinctively that the natural world can offer a sense of respite from their daily lives. As Hall Borland said in Sundial of the Seasons, “You can’t be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet.”

Their recognition of the natural world connects our young painters to a host of artists, thinkers and activists who encourage us to contemplate our interconnectedness on Earth Day.

In honor of this day, I offer an incomplete collection of Earth-inspired paintings from Brush Fire painters along with quotes from a smattering of notable personalities. Happy Earth Day!

The earth is what we all have in common. – Wendell Barry

The earth is a generous mother; she will provide in plentiful abundance food for all her children if they will but cultivate her soil in justice and in peace. – Bourke Coekran

There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet. – Brooke Medicine Eagle

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. – William Shakespeare

Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values…. – Charles A. Lindbergh

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. – John Muir

You are lost if you forget that the fruits of the earth belong to all and the earth to no one! – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. - E.B. White

Do you have a Favorite Earth Day quote? Does nature inform your creative practice? Please share!

The cuts to education are getting worse, but our kids still need to express themselves! Join us for an evening of music, comedy, and fun and help keep Brush Fire’s innovative expressive arts classes in schools.

Our evening features: Professional hair & make up styling! Henna Tattoos! Body painting! Tarot card reading! Chinese tea service! Food! Drinks! Music! Comedy! Art!

When: Saturday, May 22nd, 7 – 9 pm

Where: Mr. Smiths @ 34 7th Street, SF (Between Market & Mission)

What: Hosted by Comedy duo FIFI & FANNY

Music by ANDRE DOS SANTOS  MORGAN & special guests

RAFFLE & silent art AUCTION

Food by WHOLE FOODS & TRADER JOE’S

Tickets are $10 in advance & can be purchased here.

Tickets at the door are sliding scale $15 – $40.

We just posted the latest round of paintings from our program at the Youth Services Center in San Mateo on our Facebook page. If you have not seen them, please check them out. Just go to Facebook and search for Brush Fire Painting Workshops. While you are there, become a fan to get regular updates.

In the mean time, here are a few more paintings from our girls in the hall.

Who do I have to forgive? Myself. Because if I don’t forgive myself I won’t be internally happy with me. If I just walk around angry, I won’t truly get the aspects of life. If I don’t forgive myself for the times I’ve done unlawful things, I won’t believe. For I see forgiveness is the key to my heart. ~ Jazmine

This painting is about what I have to put down or pick up to have my ideal life. The fireworks are how I feel on drugs. This is what distracts me from my ideal life. If I continue to stay on drugs, I will hit rock bottom. The sparkle dots show my confusion. ~ Megan

I am thinking about giving up on life. How do I let go of pain? I’m thinking about my boyfriend – I am really in love – and getting out and being free. My best friend, why did he kill himself? Is all of this happening for a reason? ~ Miriam