Category: General

Write Your Own Story


As I do, I’m trying to slow down to now – to be in the moment. A lot happened this week, reminding me that I am writing my own story. I’m also seeing myself reflected in others, and I don’t always like the way I show up. I have an edge to life. I have a chip on my shoulder. As one friend told me once, “Todd, you can be like a pit bull sometimes. You grab a hold of something, and you don’t let go.”

Actions speak louder than words.

“tick, tick… BOOM!”

Every generation rises up, inspiring some of us to rise up again like a Phoenix. I want to be that Phoenix – that Peacock – that Voice…just a little softer, a little more graceful. I want to be Meryl Streep without the sharp tongue, with an Elton John edge to my advocacy and a Keith Herring inspired heART.

So this week, I showed up with CEO’s, Vice President, Senior Partners, Drug Czars and tossed my ego into the ring. This time I introduced myself with a new found self-acceptance. I do belong at the table, despite what I’ve believed and told myself in the past. I don’t need to strut my feathers to be noticed. Being a quiet, compassionate giraffe is where I draw inspiration and set greater intentions, applying what I’ve learned from NVC or compassionate communication.

Questions speak louder than words.

“tick, tick… BOOM!”

I learn my living, by showing up, by sometimes putting my foot in my mouth. Sometimes, I catch myself passionated and close to my heart. If I’m not careful, I spew arguments that sound good but really don’t make a lot of sense or worse, put others on the defensive. I often get away with loose language. Thankfully I find people are willing to push back with grace, compassion and knowledge. And I learn better ways to show up and tell my story.

I’m writing my own story.

Thanks for listening. Keep tellin’ the story.

Signed ever faithfully,

The Right Reverend Lord C Todd Peacock III

Learning to Be an Artist


No Plan? No problem

Heading into my artistic sabbatical & renewal, I didn’t have a plan. If anything, I had an anti-plan – the plan was NOT to have a plan. I’ve sat in this creative space long enough to know that while I might have a vague idea of where I want to head, the final outcome usually looks like nothing I might have initially conceived.

Although I didn’t have a plan, I did have a mentor & coach who helped me discover that I needed to breathe life into my time as an artist, free from the constraints of commercial work. I had originally hired Terry Bateman as a business coach to help me pivot & focus my studio work this Spring – with a new lab, new products, new pricing. So when I pivoted, he met me where I was at and was able to serve as a life coach – a spiritual guide of sorts. Through our regular conversations, I figured out my Vision Board and some broad strokes around how to reorient myself to creating art for its own sake.

Vision Board

My Vision Board for my sabbatical itself was a learning experiment, as I created it digitally from images I took myself or found in the public domain. I took pictures of artwork given to me by a friend (the giraffes), and even included a picture of my 2021 Vision Board, which I had created in January using magazine cutouts and cardboard. I used some of the techniques I learned in Thom Rouse’s workshop – the beginning of my intense conceptual period, experimenting with digital art.

Vision Board

I’m a visual thinker (I’m learning), and so I literally created a life sized project board where I could brainstorm practices, people and projects to feed my inspiration and creative time. I studied industrial engineering, so I’ve always had a process-focus. The opportunity now is to expand that left-brain thinking, combining my superpowers with new creative energy.

My Project Board

The Rain in Maine

After my one-day class with Thom Rouse , I knew I needed more time & instruction. So, without almost thinking about it, I signed up for a week-long workshop he was co-leading in Bar Harbor, Maine with Al DaValle. Al is a landscape photographer, so it was a chance to learn many new skills. I haven’t done much landscape or travel photography since I got into photography. I had done some nature photography early in my explorations – my so called “bumblebee & butterfly” phase – with lots of macro work and flowers. I think one of my take aways is learn from it all, and carry forward the parts that I enjoy. So, I’m pulling back in some of my passion for landscape and architecture – city scapes are after all just urban landscapes!

The mixology of Al and Thom means I can break through my self-imposed constraints that I have to shoot what’s in front of me. Now I see each image as a starting point. From there, I create something totally new that has never existed before.

And I am having fun!

Here are some of my favorite images from my time in Maine – some more creative than others, but nothing like what I think will be coming… So hold on to your seats!

Finding Yourself in Community


A dancer friend called me out one day to visit this little pocket of art near downtown.

We got lost in the space. It was a glorious day. It was September 2020, so just being outside was a treat.

All of these images are from that day.

I’ve started re-reading “After The Camera,” by Thom Rouse. This time, I’m paying attention to process tips and art techniques. I’m taking notes in the margins and setting myself up to play more in Photoshop.

Today was one of those days!

New meaning

I loved finding new meaning in old images. I started to group images I have from various “street outings.” As I was doing so, these images popped out. And I was reminded of how I came to this neighborhood, looking for community. I was literally inspired by a sermon that Rachel Metheny gave one Sunday related to what we “take on” during the season of Lent (rather than give up…as is traditionally the case!)

A decade later, looking back I realized that yes – I came looking for community, and I realize I’m helping create one