J, apologies for the length. But there is a point.
I have a friend - in truth, he is a young man (well, young to me - now 41 or 42, I imagine, the same age my son would have been) who was a close friend of my older son when they were in high school, the years in which my son's SMI began to emerge. Most of Nick's friends could not understand or relate to the transformation in behavior, appearance, everything, that Nick exhibited, and they withdrew after his psychotic break. They were teenagers. But not David. Because David was - and very much is - a gifted artist. He viewed - and views - the world through a different lens.
Later, in college, David sustained a serious traumatic brain injury. His life changed. He was not able to follow his dream of supporting himself through his beautiful landscape watercolors and acrylic or pen and ink character portraits. He took a full-time job in a helping profession, assisting clients as a job coach, a public employee. But each day, during his coffee breaks or lunch, he used the materials and small bits of time available to him to do art. Those materials were completely limited to 3"x3" Post-It notes and office pens and highlighters. That was it, that was all. They were not even his, only common office supplies.
And David made the most beautiful, intricate, miniature art - portraits of people and animals, abstract designs. *I should note here that David is also a smart techie, good at websites, etc.
David has since gone on to leave the ft job (too much stress, I think), and opened an on-line shop. His shop offers those same 3x3 sticky office note designs on everything - enlarged, matted and framed, unframed, as pillows, home decor, posters, stationery, t-shirts, greeting cards, canvas totes, just - anything, everything. With his beautiful, colorful, unique images.
Like you, David is an Artist. Not highly successful or recognized, on a path that diverted from his dream, but he is putting beautiful things, beautiful art, into the world - simple, humble art that is not very expensive, but is bringing joy, beauty, reverence, humor, even heroes to others - sharing his peace, the peace he has found his way to in creating his art. And - he is supporting himself in doing it.
You can do this. Simply, beautifully, starting small and building up as you choose. Supporting yourself and your family in expanding, growing, fearless ways. Rock on, Josie - you go. Slowly, gently, thoughtfully, carefully, as energy and time allow. After all, why not? The Internet was made for you.
This is David's artist statement:
"It's as simple as this, I have to create. Whether it be creation via drawing or painting, it is in my marrow, and has been ever since I was a child. Truthfully, I have no clue why or where the impulse began, but I have followed it and tried my best to stay true to it throughout my life. Everything from Logical Thoughts, Observations, Spirituality and Mysticism, Diverse Muses, Messy Complicated Emotions, and Gonzo Curiosities act as impetuses in my creative process, and have resulted in me pursuing several different drawing and painting genres. Each drawing and painting I create does have a personal story, and if asked I'm sure I could unfurl a flowery digression on the psycology of each piece, but underneath it all, it is very simple: a pure unquenchable desire to create."
Remind you of anyone? His name is David Weinholtz, look him up. You can find his work on fineartamerica.com and his own website on pixels.com. And he started very, very, VERY small. I love him very much, as did Nick.
Thank you, Josie. You gift us with your grace under fire, and just plain simple straight-up - grace.
I can relate so hard to all of this. I can get so hung up on being an artist that I don’t just let myself make art, even if it’s copied or out of a how-to book, and take joy in it. And I think your blackbird’s lovely
Josie, I just want to thank you for being such an inspiration to me. I read "A Still Life" from Audible and it encouraged me to stop comparing myself with strong, able-bodied people who spend their lives being productive and achieving great things. Your attention to detail is extraordinary and offers an alternative way of making a difference—that is to say, bringing the attention of others to what you notice is a great service.
Your book prompted me to look you up online and, when I did, it led me to discover this platform. I too am a writer with a disability and so I have started a newsletter as a way to express myself and, hopefully, grow an audience. Previously, I was writing about what I thought the market would want; now I am writing about what my heart is urging me to say, and it is a very different thing.
Thanks again for doing what you do and modelling courage for people like me.
I savour the deep quiet wisdom of your posts. This one in particular gave me pause for reflection on how I approach writing too. The way that you appreciate the everyday world on your doorstep is inspiring. I have no money to buy paintings but I hope you have success with selling your artwork. The blackbird painting captures something particular I think in the quality of a blackbird’s attention. I really like it.
Your words resonate deeply with my heart. It is so true, I struggle to paint because I know the result will be my paintings. They never look the way I think they are supposed to look if I were a “real” artist and if I had formal training. I keep telling myself that that is what art is - and individuals unique expression - so I pick up the paint brush again courageously go forward despite my fear. Your words inspire me.
Elizabeth Gilbert ( well known for writing Est Pray Love) wrote another book about creativity. She reckons that ideas float around in the universe waiting for somewhere to land. She has an interesting experience of that - of an idea taking root in one novelist ( herself) and when it can’t bear fruit, going off to seed itself into the mind of another novelist who does go on to write the book ! Exactly the same complex plot.
J, apologies for the length. But there is a point.
I have a friend - in truth, he is a young man (well, young to me - now 41 or 42, I imagine, the same age my son would have been) who was a close friend of my older son when they were in high school, the years in which my son's SMI began to emerge. Most of Nick's friends could not understand or relate to the transformation in behavior, appearance, everything, that Nick exhibited, and they withdrew after his psychotic break. They were teenagers. But not David. Because David was - and very much is - a gifted artist. He viewed - and views - the world through a different lens.
Later, in college, David sustained a serious traumatic brain injury. His life changed. He was not able to follow his dream of supporting himself through his beautiful landscape watercolors and acrylic or pen and ink character portraits. He took a full-time job in a helping profession, assisting clients as a job coach, a public employee. But each day, during his coffee breaks or lunch, he used the materials and small bits of time available to him to do art. Those materials were completely limited to 3"x3" Post-It notes and office pens and highlighters. That was it, that was all. They were not even his, only common office supplies.
And David made the most beautiful, intricate, miniature art - portraits of people and animals, abstract designs. *I should note here that David is also a smart techie, good at websites, etc.
David has since gone on to leave the ft job (too much stress, I think), and opened an on-line shop. His shop offers those same 3x3 sticky office note designs on everything - enlarged, matted and framed, unframed, as pillows, home decor, posters, stationery, t-shirts, greeting cards, canvas totes, just - anything, everything. With his beautiful, colorful, unique images.
Like you, David is an Artist. Not highly successful or recognized, on a path that diverted from his dream, but he is putting beautiful things, beautiful art, into the world - simple, humble art that is not very expensive, but is bringing joy, beauty, reverence, humor, even heroes to others - sharing his peace, the peace he has found his way to in creating his art. And - he is supporting himself in doing it.
You can do this. Simply, beautifully, starting small and building up as you choose. Supporting yourself and your family in expanding, growing, fearless ways. Rock on, Josie - you go. Slowly, gently, thoughtfully, carefully, as energy and time allow. After all, why not? The Internet was made for you.
This is David's artist statement:
"It's as simple as this, I have to create. Whether it be creation via drawing or painting, it is in my marrow, and has been ever since I was a child. Truthfully, I have no clue why or where the impulse began, but I have followed it and tried my best to stay true to it throughout my life. Everything from Logical Thoughts, Observations, Spirituality and Mysticism, Diverse Muses, Messy Complicated Emotions, and Gonzo Curiosities act as impetuses in my creative process, and have resulted in me pursuing several different drawing and painting genres. Each drawing and painting I create does have a personal story, and if asked I'm sure I could unfurl a flowery digression on the psycology of each piece, but underneath it all, it is very simple: a pure unquenchable desire to create."
Remind you of anyone? His name is David Weinholtz, look him up. You can find his work on fineartamerica.com and his own website on pixels.com. And he started very, very, VERY small. I love him very much, as did Nick.
Thank you, Josie. You gift us with your grace under fire, and just plain simple straight-up - grace.
Courage, Josie! And sending you good tummy vibes.
I’ve been enjoying your paintings. Have you thought about having them made into greetings cards as well as prints?
Cat
I can relate so hard to all of this. I can get so hung up on being an artist that I don’t just let myself make art, even if it’s copied or out of a how-to book, and take joy in it. And I think your blackbird’s lovely
Once again, so wise!
Thank you for helping me through, Josie. I identify so much with what you write.
All the very best.
Sending healthy tummy thoughts! 💛
Josie, I just want to thank you for being such an inspiration to me. I read "A Still Life" from Audible and it encouraged me to stop comparing myself with strong, able-bodied people who spend their lives being productive and achieving great things. Your attention to detail is extraordinary and offers an alternative way of making a difference—that is to say, bringing the attention of others to what you notice is a great service.
Your book prompted me to look you up online and, when I did, it led me to discover this platform. I too am a writer with a disability and so I have started a newsletter as a way to express myself and, hopefully, grow an audience. Previously, I was writing about what I thought the market would want; now I am writing about what my heart is urging me to say, and it is a very different thing.
Thanks again for doing what you do and modelling courage for people like me.
I savour the deep quiet wisdom of your posts. This one in particular gave me pause for reflection on how I approach writing too. The way that you appreciate the everyday world on your doorstep is inspiring. I have no money to buy paintings but I hope you have success with selling your artwork. The blackbird painting captures something particular I think in the quality of a blackbird’s attention. I really like it.
Your words resonate deeply with my heart. It is so true, I struggle to paint because I know the result will be my paintings. They never look the way I think they are supposed to look if I were a “real” artist and if I had formal training. I keep telling myself that that is what art is - and individuals unique expression - so I pick up the paint brush again courageously go forward despite my fear. Your words inspire me.
You are an artist Josie, full stop. Love your work, your eye, and mind.
Elizabeth Gilbert ( well known for writing Est Pray Love) wrote another book about creativity. She reckons that ideas float around in the universe waiting for somewhere to land. She has an interesting experience of that - of an idea taking root in one novelist ( herself) and when it can’t bear fruit, going off to seed itself into the mind of another novelist who does go on to write the book ! Exactly the same complex plot.
how are you really.i have both m.e and fibromagyia ..both i have bladder and bowel problems.mark
I have been waiting for 3 years for you to sell some of your artwork, so that's a thrilling bimblings. And I send good tummy vibes Josie
I love the way you write....your thoughts on the page often reflecting my own ways of being in the world. Thank you. I wish you well.
Love your writing (the way you see the world), as always.
Tummy vibes sent.mi for one would love to buy art and snippets of them plus writings sounds a delight.