Courtney Alex Aldor
Where were you raised? Has the landscape of that place influenced your work in any way?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, one of the most multicultural cities in the world as a result of its open immigration policies. Growing up as the child of immigrants, I was friends with kids whose parents also came from other countries. Eating meals at my friend’s houses meant I got to try Israeli, Indian, Laotian, Serbian foods, for example. I now teach a system that comes from a distant culture and country. I think that being exposed to so many cultures as a child influenced me to be interested in many perspectives.
Do you collect anything?
Pretty objects, usually gifts from friends :) But I tend to be quite minimal.
What was the last thing that you fell in love with?
A watercolor painting of a wave that I made last night!
What do you love most about yourself?
My style and sense of humor.
What is your favorite smell? How does it make you feel? Or what memory does it bring you toward?
So many flowers! Right now I’m smelling citrus and cinnamon with maybe a hint of lemongrass (?) and that’s lovely. I found what I think are tropical wild irises near growing by my house yesterday and I just love those too. Some sort of bell-shaped flower that grows outside too…? I feel lucky to be where I am right now.
How do you recharge your creative battery?
Rest. I learned that in both Art and Qigong school.
What book are you reading?
I was just recommended a book called Take Off Your Glasses and See. I’m still at the intro.
Who are your role models?
Usually children. But it varies day to day - there is so much to learn from so many people.
If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be? Is there an individual or an organization doing work in this area that you want us to know about?
I love 826Valencia.org !! They are AMAZING and in several cities! It’s a non-profit that offers free tutoring and creative, engaging extra-curriculars to students of all ages. Apparently a child who has good reading skills by grade 4 is much more likely to graduate high school and go into the world feeling confident and able. If we support young humans as they grow to reach their potential, we can build a quite nice world, I think. I’ve met kids who loved the program so much, they went on to work there as young adults. I think that says a lot. I met one kid there who said it kept him out of jail. If we support others to learn to support others and their environment…well that is exponential potential!
If I was not afraid, I would...
Have the life I have now :) And probably some other things. Maybe I would post more on instagram. Maybe. ;)
