Hi All-
I invite you to check out this piece on lithium mining that was published yesterday in the Boulder Weekly. I am excited to have my art featured.
In summary, a friend shared with me what was going on up in a remote wilderness area called Thacker Pass which is an hour north of Winnemucca in Nevada back in January 2021. She said she would be returning in February in protest of this proposed “green” mining site. She wanted me to come and I said yes. I packed my car to camp, paint and write for three days on the land—not nearly enough time but also plenty of time to see, hear, and feel into this project. You can learn more about my personal experience at https://blairsherbals.com/blog/.
A little about the pieces—in the first one, I wanted to portray the bleeding of and on the earth. The mining company will go 1/3rd of the way up and into the mountain; 400 feet into the earth; over 6,000 acres—a big footprint! There are mining claims on top too. They will be destroying old growth sage brush and the golden eagle nests that stand in the way of the project. If this is successful, they will move on to other sites. The demand for lithium is huge! My feeling in this one was one of pain, confusion, and anger.
The brown mountain one seems like nothing special—that was my point! There is so much that the indigenous people I sat in circle with had to say about those hills. They seemed one and the same to me upon first glance. Beyond those hills? Home. Their families had to break apart and relocate from the sacred tribal BLM land where the heart of this project is happening. Sit amongst the elders and listen……….. and cry—that is what I did. I was struck by how much I didn’t know because I just couldn’t see. Listening to their stories and their hearts brought to life what lives in their communities and in those mountains. The elders could talk for hours about their relationships to one another and the Great Mother while having coffee and donuts around the camp fire. I would say the feeling in this painting is one of humility and shame. A numbness.
The light one with the golden eagle captured for me the life force in the hills and on the land. The vibrancy of life untouched and in harmony and balance. The “before” imprint. I climbed up on the mountain where battles had taken place and sage brush had been gathered as medicine for the community. I was on top of the world with an amazing view watching for the eagles. I didn’t see any, but hawks and grouse yes. My footprints and those of the ancestors. Sacred is the word that keeps coming up for me. Freedom. Rights. Respect and Reverence.
And the last one is a symbol of simplicity and oneness with our personal home and our greater home. Living so close to the elements. The warmth of the fire just outside the door.
The Elders once again live downstream of toxic waste. It is just painful to know that their concerns—their voices —are not being heard. To hear their stories of how this mine will affect them is heart breaking. Cancers. They need our support. Our awareness. They need prayers. Even amongst the differing tribes, they all come together for protection of the land and the animals and plants. We all deserve access to clean air and water. We need hope and solutions.
Anyway, if you have questions or are interested in helping in some way, please reach out. If inspired let Angela Evans, senior editor, know that you appreciate her bringing this conversation to all of us in this great informative article.
The project officially starts on June 23rd despite lawsuits that have been filed. My heart is sad. It will be so different the next time I visit—too busy, loud, and off-limits. The scope of the project is hard to conceive– 24/7 for 46 years? Noise, light, air, water, pollution.
Please know that if you wish to write a letter to the paper on this subject, they do print them and it is a great way to continue conversations. I struggle to understand the complexities of “green” mining. But, after having that experience, it has me thinking a lot. Go there if you can. I feel we need good information and transparency and we need balance and compassion with ourselves and with each other.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. And, if you want to see more of my art, I post on instagram regularly. Find me at http://instagram.com/ipaintlifestudio
Best,
Blair