i love music.

etta james recording @ muscle shoals


I love music.

I love how it rips at my soul.

I love how musicians bare their pain and make us feel.

I love how something so painful can end up a thing of beauty and make us feel connected with each other, with ourselves.

I love how collaborations can happen, one singular cause, bringing those at odds together.

I love music; I love how it saves our souls.



wilson pickett @ muscle shoals

I love music.

I love how it rips my heart out and throws it on the floor.

I love how music then lifts it back up and holds it towards the heavens.

I love how music makes me feel closer to G'd. 



aretha franklin @ muscle shoals


I love music.

I love how it unites the beauty we see with the comforting touch we experience,

I love how music is a warm and encompassing hug for my ears.


Music is another way of communicating, another way of seeing, another way of experiencing.

Music saves my soul and brings me closer to humanity.


I feel it in my body, I feel it in my head.  I feel it behind my eyes.  I feel it in my gut.  I feel it in my heart.  

Music will heal our souls and save the human connection.


roger hawkins recording @ muscle shoals


*          *          *

I couldn't even watch the whole thing...  I was feeling so many feelings and aching to be behind my drumkit or have even a thimble-full of ability to sing like Etta or Aretha.  Muscle Shoals, the incredible documentary about the legendary sounds that kept coming out of Fame Studio in Alabama, is beyond magical for any musician or music lover to get swallowed up in.   From early blues to the first ounce of southern rock (I clapped) and beyond, this place has magic water which makes good sounds for my ears happen.

Do watch the movie and tell me what you felt.  Muscle Shoals


xo, 
Z$



so happy for saturday

Lots I could do today, including rest.  We'll see what happens.  I'm very excited for my upcoming open studios, the first weekend of April.  Here are some pieces I've been getting ready.  Pulling together in-progress canvases with the theme TOOTH  WILMA  STRAWBERRY.

photo and art by zarah darling  [TOOTH  WILMA  STRAWBERRY, in progress]


Also, may have found a new, sunny home.  It's got the three L's:  location.  Fingers crossed.

Very excited for my friend at The Westhood who had her photo featured on sfgirlbybay's #sfgirlguide.  Yay-pants Megan!!!  Here is the pic picked.  Love the colors :)

photo by megan @thewesthood


Missing swimming as I'm working from a different location than usual.  I mean floating.  Floating is what I usually do.  And somersaults.

that's not me.  in fact, that's an oil painting by eric zener called somersault


Have a great weekend everyone, what are you getting into?  Oooh, let me know your favorite open studios art snack too!  #grocerylist


xo,
z$