Nature and art share the quality of perseverance and optimism. Vecchione illustrates this when she says, "Art is optimistic. No matter what emotions a piece of art may convey, art-making itself is a refusal to be plowed under by doubt, political systems, poverty or any number of other things." She goes on to point out that nature shares those same qualities. "Determined plants push up between the slivery cracks in the concrete, making their leafy way to the light where they thrive. If nature is curtailed in one way, it does it's best to find another. Over and over again." She describes how the act of being in nature expanded her imagination, which made the act of doing art more meaningful. When our creative spirit is in touch with the natural world, the boundaries and walls are removed. She believes that encouraging creativity requires both structure and the freedom to imagine. As she points out, "The imagination wants to grow by its very nature and the same is true with nature. If water comes to a wall, it doesn't pack up its bag and say forget about it. Water finds a way around. Imagination does the same thing. They're both life sustaining, life-giving aspects of this planet." Nature, she says, offers us a perfect place to daydream. Vecchione also explains how she and others help to preserve and care for a little bit of the earth, and how we can all do the same. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)