Images of a Rain Forest Serve a Cause

Rosita Gottlieb sees herself, first and foremost, as a global citizen.

Gottlieb is an artist. For two years she has been preparing for an exhibition of her oil paintings called “The Rainforest Series,” with part of the proceeds going to the Rainforest Action Network. The paintings are her memories of her native Costa Rica.

“I wanted to show the beauty of Costa Rica’s rain forest because the country truly values it,” she said in an interview at her studio in Marina del Rey. “So much of what you see about rain forests shows the devastation to the forests. Costa Rica is one of the few countries that actually protects them. These paintings are my humble way to bring attention to such efforts.”

Gottlieb is 61. She married young and had two children. Her current marriage, to writer Marty Zucker, is her second. But in her upbeat way, she makes it clear that she does not like to talk about herself and brushes over the hard times, the crises and the worries.

“Everyone has them, but I have always done what fulfills me,” she said. “So all the problems that come with life are not shattering to me. I would prefer (that) the endangered creatures and plant life I have painted be my spokesmen, because they are the visions of hope of a small country which cares about nature.”

There is harmony and orderliness in nature, Gottlieb said, from which humans could learn and benefit. In nature, she said, each creature contributes its tiny part to the whole to survive. By recognizing their connection with nature, humans can share in this harmony, she said, adding that the connection is interfered with when people dwell on such superficial things as race, class and nationality.

To achieve this orderliness as well as coherence of thought, Gottlieb and her husband practice transcendental meditation. She said meditating allows the body profound rest while keeping the mind fully alert.

“It’s not religious or a lifestyle thing, and it is scientifically proven,” she said. “It has been used successfully with older people, corporate executives, the handicapped, prisoners or with any population which is under a great deal of stress or stagnating. For 20 minutes twice a day, I sit in a chair with my eyes closed and I repeat a sound in a specific way. The more relaxed I am, the more energized I feel. I used to smoke and have insomnia, but ever since I started meditating my life is free of both.”

Gottlieb believes that politicians could use a little transcendental meditation. “Politics is full of platitudes. In a way, both parties say the same things. The principles aren’t bad, but if people’s consciousnesses aren’t developed, the politicians can’t accomplish their goals,” she said.

Gottlieb and Zucker support the Natural Law Party, a new political party organized by Harvard physicist John Hagelin. She has been gathering signatures so the party can be on the California ballot. One of the issues that drew her to the Natural Law Party was health care. “Our country spends over $800 billion on health care, but more than 35 million people can’t afford coverage,” she said. “The Natural Law Party promotes prevention-oriented health education and prevention-oriented natural medicine, which have been shown to create healthier citizens and to cut health care costs by more than half.”

Education, Gottlieb says, holds the key to a better society, and she thinks older people have the experience and wisdom to educate others. “Everyone has the capacity to educate and be creative once they are aware of themselves and their place in the world,” she said.

Gottlieb’s exhibition will open Nov. 14 at the Long Beach Senior Eye Gallery.

BULLETIN BOARD:

Pepper Tribute--Claude Pepper Day, a tribute to the late senator, will feature local senior leaders and Councilman Nate Holden; 1762 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles; 1 p.m. today; information: (310) 559-9677 (free).

Anniversary Celebration--Culver City Senior Center will celebrate Culver City’s 75th anniversary with a video show highlighting the upcoming Film Festival; 4153 Overland Ave., Culver City; 10:30 a.m. Friday; information: (310) 202-5856 (free).

Saints & Sinners--The group will have dancing and entertainment; Fairfax Senior Citizens Center, 7929 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles; 7 p.m. Tuesday; information: (213) 874-1243 ($4 guests).

Fall Semester--Older Adult Service and Information System will hold registration for the fall semester; 5th Floor, May Co., Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tueday and Wednesday; information: (213) 931-8968 (nominal fees).